RTSWS Hosts Panels at LSE & Mount Holyoke

RTSWS hosted a Women in Business program at the London School of Economics and Political Science, bringing together students and industry leaders for a focused conversation on leadership, opportunity and access in finance. The event reflected RTSWS’ mission to bring the M in STEM to life through Financial & Investment fundamentals, supported by real-world application and direct industry engagement.

Speakers highlighted the importance of visible role models and mentorship, building technical expertise alongside executive presence, and fostering cohort-based communities that sustain confidence and ambition over time. Panelists also noted that success is rarely linear, emphasizing that meaningful careers develop through preparation, disciplined growth and strong professional networks. Students demonstrated both curiosity and determination, eager to deepen their understanding of the capital markets and their future role within them.

In the same spirit, RTSWS also held a powerful student event at Mount Holyoke College, featuring Stephanie Hockman, Founder of Alvista Loop, who shared her perspective with students.

Across both campuses, one message was clear: access matters. When students are equipped with strong foundations, trusted cohorts and industry awareness, confidence follows and pathways expand.

We extend our appreciation to both prominent institutions. Special thanks also to the LSE Women in Business panelists: Anna Chadwick, Partner at Boldhaven; Misha Saif, Vice President at Arcmont Asset Management; Clara Bale, Sustainability Sales at S&P Global; and Molly Davidson, Director at UBS. These perspectives help to foster meaningful dialogue and inspire the next generation.

INVEST YOUR TIME WITH INVESTORS

Global Perspective, Long-Term Thinking
and Asking Better Questions 

In a recent Invest Your Time with Investors interview, RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich spoke with Jelena Sokolova, Senior Analyst at Morningstar, who joined from London to discuss investing, leadership, mentoring, client relationships and the skills needed to succeed in the investment world.

Jelena emphasized fostering growth through stretch assignments, constructive feedback and collaboration, while remaining cautious of companies driven primarily by 'hot trends' that may signal overvaluation. When reacting to market news, she focuses on assessing direct impacts, offsetting factors and downside scenarios within a broader context for her clients. Her advice to her younger self is simple: start investing early and do not fear failure.

Another message that stood out for students exploring finance careers: “Information is everywhere, but asking good questions is what helps you find what you’re actually looking for.”

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

Analyst, Corporate Sector Coverage

(Full Time Role)

ING

New York, NY

Financial Risk Intern

(Undergraduate Students, sophomores or juniors)

Janus Henderson Investors

Denver, CO

2026 Morgan Stanley Technology Spring Insight Event

(University Students - first year of a 3-year degree
or second year of a 4-year degree)

Morgan Stanley

London, UK

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Visit shop

Attend an event

Women in Finance Virtual University Event with Judy Ricketts

RTSWS recently hosted a virtual university event in collaboration with the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business Women in Finance group, featuring RTSWS Advisory Council Member Judy Ricketts, Executive Vice President of Operations at LPL Financial.

Drawing on her leadership experience across large-scale financial services organizations, Judy shared practical insights on career growth, adaptability, and leadership. She spoke openly about the value of patience, building skills over time, and how students can pursue multiple meaningful paths into finance. As she emphasized during the conversation, “Never lose your authentic self. Don’t try to emulate someone else." Judy further shared that being genuine can help build a trusted, long-lasting career.

Students were especially engaged by Judy’s candid perspective on non-linear career paths and long-term growth. Survey feedback highlighted how meaningful it was to hear a senior industry leader emphasize authenticity, personal strengths, and the reality that successful careers are built over time.

The conversation reinforces the importance of access to real-world perspectives that help demystify finance and broaden students’ views of what is possible. Students and young professionals can sign up today for Coffee Chats, which are informal conversations that offer direct access to industry professionals and real career insight.

The Ongoing Impact of Mentorship

As we enter the new semester, we’re excited to deliver our new High School Mentor and Protégé Handbooks, designed to support intentional, well-structured mentoring discussions from day one.

Your time, guidance, and consistency advance our mission to empower RTSWS students, especially young women, by bringing the M in STEM to life through Financial & Investment fundamentals. Through access and real-world insight, you help students move from classrooms to careers with clarity and confidence.

Students, Alumni and those in Early Career can continue engaging with mentors through our Career Center.

INVEST YOUR TIME WITH INVESTORS

Long-Term Thinking in Public Markets 

In this edition of Invest Your Time with Investors, RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Yobo Bello-Asemota, Vice President at ValueAct Capital, about the role of patience, perspective, and deep research in long-term public equity investing

Yobo shares how her interdisciplinary background shaped her approach to investing and why successful public markets work goes far beyond financial models. She explains how her long-term investing focuses on understanding businesses in context, engaging thoughtfully with leadership teams, and considering both performance and broader impact.

She also addresses common misconceptions about public equity careers and the importance of representation, encouraging students not to disqualify themselves before they begin. As Yobo puts it, “You don’t need to be a genius to do this. You just need curiosity, discipline, and the willingness to keep learning.”

Watch the full conversation to hear Yobo’s insights on long-term investing and her advice for students building confidence and credibility in the public markets.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2027 Americas San Francisco Asset Management, Alternatives / Private Investing Summer Analyst

(Students pursuing a bachelors/graduate degree)

Goldman Sachs

San Francisco, CA

Internal Business Associate

(Full Time Role)

Manulife | John Hancock

Boston, MA

Product Consultant, Everyday Banking, Summer 2026

(Students pursuing a bachelors/graduate degree)

CIBC

Toronto, ON

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Visit shop

Attend an event

National Mentoring Month: Investing in Students

As we celebrate National Mentoring Month, we recognize the more than 500 industry mentors and volunteers who make RTSWS possible.

Through Industry Insight Days, coffee chats, panels, virtual sessions and career guidance, our mentors provide high school and university students, especially young women, with direct access to the Financial & Investment industry. These moments bring the M in STEM to life, building confidence, expanding networks and turning curiosity into clear career pathways.

This month, students across our programs are reflecting on the power of mentoring to unlock potential and inspire growth. We see its impact in the questions they ask, the connections they make and the futures they begin to imagine.

To our mentors and volunteers: thank you for showing up, sharing your expertise and believing in our students. Your time and guidance help expand participation in the capital markets, one conversation at a time.

Students can sign up for a Coffee Chat here: alum.rockthestreetwallstreet.com
Interested in volunteering? Contact us at info@rockthestreetwallstreet.com

RTSWS CEO THOUGHTS

Mentoring Month: Perseverance and Setting New Norms

Our CEO helps challenge legacy expectations as students navigate a shifting world of work, topics that continue to surface in conversations with RTSWS students preparing for careers shaped by complexity, change and opportunity.

Key takeaways:

• Students are not afraid of change; they seek tools to move forward within it 
• Perseverance is a core skill reinforced across RTSWS classrooms, panels, coffee chats and the Career Center 
• Progress comes from showing up, asking questions, and learning without waiting for perfection 
• Mentors serve a critical role in modeling adaptability, resilience and confidence 

As Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, reminds us: leadership isn’t about breaking barriers, it’s about setting a new normal.

Read Ashley’s article on how perseverance helps students and mentors alike prepare the future of finance.

INVEST YOUR TIME WITH INVESTORS

Inside Private Markets With Christina Rice

As we continue Financial Wellness Month, RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich sits down with private markets investor Christina Rice to explore what private markets are and how students can build careers beyond the traditional finance path.

Christina shares how an unconventional journey, from journalism to private wealth, informed her work across venture capital, private equity and private credit. She breaks down private markets in clear, accessible terms and highlights why curiosity, adaptability, and asking good questions matter as much as technical skills.

As Christina puts it, “Confidence comes from preparation and experience and credibility comes from showing up.”

Watch the conversation to hear Christina’s perspective on private markets and her advice for students exploring finance careers that don’t follow a straight line.

The information herein is for general information purposes only and is not investment advice. An investment in securities and private markets involve risk including the loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

The PIMCO Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship

(Undergraduate and Graduate Students, graduating
between December 2027 and June 2028)

PIMCO

United States

2027 Summer Internship Program

(Undergraduate or Graduate Students, graduating between September 2027 and July 2028)

BlackRock

Multiple Locations (United States)

Global Markets Sales & Trading Rotational
Summer Analyst Program - 2027

(Undergraduate Students, graduating between November 2027 and August 2028)

Bank of America

New York, NY

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Visit shop

Attend an event

Advancing Career Access at Harvard’s BOLD Conference

RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich, joined by Angie Birkemeyer-Jones, RTSWS Programs Manager, connected with high school students during the Business Oriented Leadership Development (BOLD) Conference, hosted by Harvard University's Undergraduate Women in Business.

During the Finance and Business Panel, Ashley shared her professional background, rooted in mathematics and a passion for highlighting the opportunities within math-driven careers. She emphasized that “finance isn’t just about money, it’s about opportunity, independence and impact,” and discussed how RTSWS creates real access for students through industry engagement, mentorship, and its Career Center.

Following the session, student feedback reflected a strong interest in the RTSWS Career Center, with many attendees eager to explore early career resources.

Mentorship in Action at Broadridge Industry Insight Day

As National Mentoring Month begins, we’re spotlighting RTSWS students who recently participated in an Industry Insight Day hosted by Broadridge in New York City. The experience brought financial and investment concepts to life as students stepped inside a leading firm and learned directly from women and men who are building successful careers in finance.

Through candid conversations with Broadridge volunteers, students explored career pathways, asked bold questions and gained clarity on the skills, experiences and confidence it takes to thrive in the industry. These moments bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunity, showing students not only what’s possible, but who they can become.

National Mentoring Month is a powerful reminder that access and guidance can change a trajectory. If you’re a financial professional passionate about supporting the next generation in finance, especially young women, take the next step by signing up for a Coffee Chat and sharing your story with students who are eager to learn and ready to be inspired.

INVEST YOUR TIME WITH INVESTORS

Dr. Linda Pajoel on Quick Wins for Building Wealth

As part of Financial Wellness Month, RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich sits down with Stock Market Mama author and stock market educator Dr. Linda Pajoel to talk about her journey and her approach to making investing more accessible for women.

Drawing from her own experience, Linda emphasizes the importance of starting where you are and learning along the way. As she puts it, “You don’t learn investing by waiting. You learn by starting.”

Watch the conversation to hear Linda’s story and her practical perspective on how investing education builds confidence and supports long-term financial well-being.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2027 Investment Banking Summer Analyst Program

(Undergraduate Students, with a graduation date
between December 2027 and June 2028)

Morgan Stanley

New York, NY; Houston, TX; San Francisco, CA

Associate - Non-Financial Risk

(Full Time Role)

ING

New York, NY

Jr. Analyst, Client Services Intern (Hybrid)

(Undergraduate Students)

Broadridge

Toronto, ON

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Visit shop

Attend an event

2025 RTSWS Honor Roll

We celebrate all of our students & supporters and are delighted to recognize some exceptional cohorts, schools and leaders whose impact especially stood out this year.

Join us in congratulating:

Highest Financial Literacy Growth

Notre Dame High School (328% improvement)

Awarded to the cohort that showed the greatest gain in financial & investment knowledge, with strong engagement and measurable results

Most Improved Cohort

Manhattan Bridges

Recognizes a school that embraced change and strengthened its program, leading to positive outcomes and experiences

Best First Year Cohort

High School for Law and Justice

Celebrates a first-year traditional program model, delivering standout engagement with strong leadership from School Champions and Student CEOs 

Most Consistent Attendance

Harbord Collegiate Institute

Honors a school that maintained the most reliable attendance across all four sessions, showing exceptional commitment and engagement

Best Overall Cohort

Parkway North High School

Recognizes a school that excelled across every part of the program, from engagement and participation to feedback and presence, setting the standard for success

Bull & Butterfly Award

Northside College Prep

For a cohort that demonstrated both resilience and transformation, achieving a strong program finish

Stellar School Champion

Mariette O.
St. Vincent Ferrer

Honors a School Champion whose leadership, communication, and support ensured a strong and empowering experience for students and volunteers

Industry Insight Days & Office Field Trips

Because of the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, our students recently participated in Industry Insight Days across the US, UK and Canada, gaining meaningful access to financial firms, professionals and career pathways across the industry.

One example of this impact is our engagement with Goldman Sachs. The firm hosted students at its Global Headquarters, while Goldman Sachs Ayco welcomed our cohort in Albany for immersive days of learning and firsthand access to the world of finance. Students explored Asset and Wealth Management, engaged in candid conversations about career paths and industry trends, and participated in financial planning workshops tied to real college decisions. Panel discussions highlighted the wide range of roles across the financial sector.

Students were recognized as driven emerging leaders and encouraged to explore the breadth of opportunities available across the financial industry. We’re grateful to the supporters and volunteers who open doors, share expertise, and help students see themselves in finance.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2026 Step In, Step Up: Empowering Women -
Career Pathways Programme

(Sixth Form Students - Year 13)

Morgan Stanley

London, UK

Summer 2026 Investments Intern -
Private Debt/Direct Lending

(Undergraduate Students who will be a
rising Junior graduating by summer of 2027 )

Invesco

New York, NY

Financial Planning Associate

(Full Time Role)

Stifel

St. Louis, MO

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Visit shop

Attend an event

NYSE Annual Tree Lighting

We are grateful to have taken part in the 102nd annual New York Stock Exchange Tree Lighting, a tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the start of the holiday season. We were honored to be included in this year’s Global Giving Campaign, where NYSE-listed companies highlight nonprofits creating real impact.

A heartfelt thank you to Janus Henderson Investors for selecting RTSWS as their featured nonprofit partner. Their support helps us continue opening doors for high school girls and university women by bringing the M in STEM to life through Financial & Investment fundamentals and meaningful industry access.

Opening Doors from New York to London

From New York to London with more than 60 cohorts in between, our students have been stepping inside leading financial firms this season. Office field trips and Industry Insight Days provided students the chance to explore real workplaces, expand their understanding of finance and connect with professionals who are leading the industry.

These opportunities help students see what is possible for their own futures. Being on the trading floor. Hearing career journeys from experts. Asking questions directly to those who work in investment, research, and analytics every day. It builds momentum and shows what's possible.

Thank you to our supporters across the US, Canada and the UK. Special events featured here are supported by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union in New York and the AllianceBernstein team in London, who continue to help serve the next generation of women in finance. Their time and guidance create a lasting impact on every student who walks through their doors.

INVEST YOUR TIME WITH INVESTORS

Champion for Early-Career Investors

In our latest Invest Your Time with Investors conversation, RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich and Manager Emily Holm speak with Katherine Relle, Director at Headway Capital Partners. Katherine shares her path from JPMorgan to private equity and the role mentorship played along the way.

She encourages university women to step forward early. “You build confidence by doing the work and speaking up,” she says. “Show that you are prepared and eager to contribute.”

Katherine’s practical advice helps students see themselves succeeding in finance and making an impact from day one.

GIVING BACK

Empower the Next Gen of Financial Leaders

As we close out a successful Giving Tuesday campaign, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed. Your support fuels our programs and helps more young women see themselves in finance.

If you would like to make a donation, click here. Every bit moves us forward from classrooms to careers.

Educate. Prepare. Advance.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2026 Summer Intern - US Client Management,
Account Analyst

(Undergraduate Students)

PIMCO

Newport Beach, CA & Austin, TX

Client Development & Sales Internship - Summer 2026

(Undergraduate Students)

CME Group

New York, NY

Corporate Intern - Treasury Operations (Hybrid)

(Undergraduate Students)

First Citizens Bank

Morristown, NJ

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Visit shop

Attend an event