RTSWS Announces Canadian Advisory Council Expanding its Financial & Investment Literacy Programming for Toronto’s High School Girls

RTSWS Announces Canadian Advisory Council Expanding its Financial & Investment Literacy Programming for Toronto’s High School Girls

by | Apr 19, 2024 | Canada, Press Releases

During Financial Literacy Month, Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), bringing the M in STEM to diverse high school girls, is proud to announce the establishment of its Canadian Advisory Council, featuring prominent industry leaders.

RTSWS is dedicated to bringing financial and investment mathematics to high school / secondary school girls providing additional support through university, internships, job shadow and early career roles across 25 cities in the US, UK, and Canada. The council members include Netila Demneri from Russell Reynolds, Amy Miller, former Managing Director & Global Head of Loan Syndications at Scotiabank, Ingrid Montarras, a bilingual Co-op and Business Teacher, Frederick Pinto, CFA, CEO of CFA Society Toronto, and Anthony Ostler, President & CEO of the Canadian Bankers Association.

Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham shares her vision: “Toronto, as Canada’s hub for business and finance, has been a key location for us. This vibrant city’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity has already proven an ideal environment for our launch last year in Toronto. This Financial Literacy Month, we are especially inspired by the support from Canadian leaders and organizations eager to contribute to our mission of enhancing financial literacy among talented, hard working young women.”

Rock The Street, Wall Street provides invaluable opportunities for racially diverse high school girls to deepen their engagement with math, encouraging them to choose STEM-related university courses and career paths. Notably, RTSWS alumnae pursue degrees in finance, economics, or related fields at a rate 5x higher than the national average for female university students. Earlier this month, the organization unveiled its newly reimagined Alumnae & Career Center, empowered by ING Americas, aimed at supporting students and graduates as they advance through the RTSWS programs and transition through university and into early careers in the financial sector.

With over 25 years of Wall Street experience, Ms. Cunningham has dedicated her career to empowering the next generation of women in STEM, specifically financial math, emphasizing the transformative power of these professions to elevate families in one generation.

Contributing as an RTSWS Canadian Council Member, Ingrid Montarras of Harbord Collegiate Institute also serves as the first RTSWS School Champion. “I am honored to work alongside such distinguished industry leaders on the Canadian Advisory Council,” said Ms. Montarras. “This collaboration with Rock The Street, Wall Street forges significant connections and elevates the understanding of financial and investment math among our high school girls, opening doors to financial, business and academic sectors in Toronto.”

“RTSWS is enthusiastic about the impact we are creating together. The students are propelled by strong programming and gain from the expertise of female leaders in finance as volunteer instructors and mentors, alongside the support of male allies and sponsoring firms. RTSWS Canadian Advisory Council marks a significant step forward within the financial community as we build strong corporate and academic partnerships that will have a lasting impact on young women in Canada,” Ashley Leftwich, RTSWS Chief Operating Officer remarked.

Rock the Street, Wall Street’s supporters include leaders from Morgan Stanley, CIBC, ING Americas, J.P. Morgan, Scotiabank, Ernst & Young, Ninety One, CFA Society Toronto, Bloomberg, Franklin Templeton, Invesco, Amazon, Carson Group, Varde Partners, LightBay Capital, Canadian Bankers Association, and many others. Click here for a complete list.

About Rock The Street, Wall Street:

RTSWS is a pioneering 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings the intricacies of finance to high school girls, fostering financial and investment literacy before college and career decisions are made. Founded by former Wall Street executive Maura Cunningham, RTSWS has grown internationally, reaching young women in over 60 high schools across more than 25 cities in the US, UK and Canada. The program leverages the expertise of female leaders in finance as volunteer instructors and mentors, alongside the support of sponsoring firms, to help students envision themselves in influential roles within the financial sector, thereby addressing the gender gap in STEM fields effectively.

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ING Americas & RTSWS Celebrate FinLit Month with Launch of Reimagined ACC

ING Americas & RTSWS Celebrate FinLit Month with Launch of Reimagined ACC

by | Apr 4, 2024 | Canada, Press Releases, US

ING’s Transformational Grant to RTSWS’s Career Platform Streamlines and Automates Features Better Serving Girls with Tailored Access to Leadership, Mentoring and Financial Services Roles

NEW YORK, April 4, 2024 – Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), the nonprofit dedicated to bringing the world of financial and investment mathematics to high school girls, is proud to announce a significant milestone one year into its successful rebuild of its Alumnae & Career Center with significantly increased efficiency, functionality and user experience. This innovative overhaul was made possible by a grant from ING Americas and ING’s global community investment fund, marking a critical step forward in providing access and opportunity to young women entering the workforce.

With increased user benefits and more robust functionality, the revamped Career Center incorporates innovation at each level with automated, trackable, user-friendly offerings. The career and leadership platform also offer sponsor firms one-step access to posting internships, job shadows, entry-level, and early career roles. The RTSWS Students gain clarity and access around those early professional opportunities as well as extended programming in RTSWS leadership series, networking events, and mentor matching.

“We have a natural alignment with Rock The Street, Wall Street, which is helping to bring both gender and racial equity to the financial markets,” commented Andy Schaeffer, CEO of ING Americas. “At ING, we are focused on guiding and supporting people towards stronger financial health through financial literacy education and career development. With this grant, we can ensure that the training and experience RTSWS Alumnae receive continues to be supported as they enter the workforce, increasing the number of women in finance and math-related jobs.”

The Career Center provides comprehensive support to RTSWS alumnae and students as they navigate their collegiate and career paths, as many families lack that direct experience in the home. More than 70 financial firms post job openings on the platform, with some also providing career fairs, interview training, and recruitment events for these cohorts, fostering ongoing networks and support as they advance in their careers.

“I’m delighted that ING is helping women take their first steps in establishing financial careers by providing access to firms and networking opportunities,” commented Katharyn Meyer, Head of Financial Markets, ING Americas, and a lead sponsor of this partnership. “As I’ve shared, my love of math and finance has been encouraged by my teachers, parents, and mentors throughout my academic and professional journey. It is my hope to pass forward this gift of engagement and support to others with the help of ING and industry colleagues.”

Rock The Street, Wall Street Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham, with 25 years of Wall Street experience, remarked, “Understanding math and the power it can have offers these talented students a seat at the table, diversifying and strengthening the workforce. Thanks to ING, we’re increasing workforce readiness and future proofing this training through bringing together technology, leadership and investment mathematics. We all recognize, STEM professions are exciting, purposeful, and can lift families up in one generation.”

Raising Awareness during Financial Literacy Month, RTSWS is participating in several industry events, thanking volunteers, and recognizing students and alumnae. Most RTSWS student cohorts have Spring Mentoring Sessions throughout April and are registering on the reimagined Alumnae & Career Center.

Maura Cunningham kicks off the Alumnae & Career Center opportunities via recent events:

 – CFA Society Toronto webinar (replay available) 

 – London Bloomberg Day of Insight to Finance for secondary school girls

 – New York Student CEO event, bringing together Student Leaders

 – RTSWS has relaunched its website and supporting Career Quiz 

 – Upcoming: Chat with Sallie Krawcheck CEO & Founder of Ellevest, on the key to financial & investment understanding; later in the month (more to come!)

RTSWS COO Ashley Leftwich highlights steps to expanding the talent pipeline with the power of mathematics and the Alumnae & Career Center:

  – Share the innovations of the Alumnae & Career Center at the recent PREA, Pension Real Estate Association’s Spring Conference

– Discuss benefits of Math, Access, and Community in recent radio interview

 – Spotlight RTSWS Alumnae Council, encouraging current RTSWS students to participate

The relaunched offering was tested by RTSWS Students in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland. In New York, students looked toward access and the benefits of bringing RTSWS Students together

“As we raise awareness during Financial Literacy Month, we are grateful to our sponsors and volunteers for helping our remarkable students and alumnae,” said Ashley Leftwich, RTSWS COO. “We know there is a long road ahead, so it’s great to reflect on our wins as we move forward together. This strategic grant from ING Americas helps RTSWS grow with our students and improve the young women’s experiences as they work hard to enter the workforce.”

Rock The Street, Wall Street is now in more than 60 high schools across 30 cities and has engaged more than 6,000 girls through its program. Completing the program, the young women’s financial and investment concepts improves by an average of 70%, and their pursuit of a finance, economics, or related degree is 5x higher than the national average. 73% of RTSWS students are from BIPOC populations, and 50% are from schools with free and reduced lunch. Rock The Street, Wall Street is a 501c3 and operates in the US, Toronto, and London.

About ING Americas

ING Americas is the brand name of ING’s wholesale business in the Americas region and a part of ING Group N.V., a global financial services company of Dutch origin with a network spanning the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam, Brussels, and the New York Stock Exchange.

About Rock The Street, Wall Street

RTSWS is an innovative nonprofit dedicated to bringing the world of finance to high school girls, providing financial and investment literacy before college and career selections are made. Founded by former Wall Street executive Maura Cunningham, RTSWS has expanded internationally to bring STEM to young women in more than 60 high schools across 25 cities in the US, London and Toronto. The programs leverage women leaders in the financial industry as volunteer instructors and coaches, and firms as sponsors, helping students see themselves in key roles, expanding their reach, and offering them the social capital and a flight path into STEM careers.

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TIAA, Rock the Street Wall Street, Team Up to Inspire Students to Pursue Careers in Financial Services

TIAA, Rock the Street Wall Street, Team Up to Inspire Students to Pursue Careers in Financial Services

by | Mar 8, 2024 | Press Releases, RTSWS in the News, US

To mark IWD Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, hosted RTSWS Student CEOs for “A Day Full of Promise,” an immersive event to support emerging female leaders

“I know from personal experience how important it is for young women, especially for young women of color, to have exposure to corporate America…”

— Thasunda Brown Duckett

NEW YORK, NY, USA, March 8, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rock the Street Wall Street (RTSWS), an organization that encourages diverse high school girls to pursue careers in the capital markets and financial workforce, joined TIAA, a leading retirement services provider, to provide the next generation of female leaders with an immersive, inspiring event that offered a first-hand look at careers in financial services.

The “A Day Full of Promise” event invited RTSWS Student CEOs—girls who have raised their hands to serve as leaders for their RTSWS cohort—to connect with TIAA leaders and executives at TIAA’s offices in New York City. The day’s event included a fireside chat between Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO of TIAA, and Maura Cunningham, Founder and CEO of Rock the Street Wall Street, for an engaging discussion about their educational and career journeys and how they’ve built careers in financial services.

“It is a personal highlight for us to join Thasunda in such a key discussion showing our talented girls this incredible path forward, building on our programming with this extraordinary event,” said Maura Cunningham RTSWS Founder & CEO. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day by empowering this future generation of female leaders, providing them with these real-world insights and lessons learned, building on the RTSWS programming and mentoring they receive throughout the year from our volunteers and financial investment professionals.”

In addition to the fireside chat, RTSWS Student CEOs participated in 10-minute roundtable conversations with other TIAA executives, where they could ask questions and gain deeper insight into the executives’ roles and business priorities. The event closed with the TIAA Women’s Network reception, where students continued fostering valuable relationships with TIAA leaders.

“I know from personal experience how important it is for young women, especially for young women of color, to have exposure to corporate America. As leaders, we know that talent is created equally, but opportunity is not,” said Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO of TIAA. “This event allowed these students the opportunity to see what a career in financial services can offer. It’s my hope these young girls take this experience and recognize their unique voice and perspective matters, that they strive to take on leadership roles, and live authentically no matter the career they pursue.”

About Rock the Street Wall Street (RTSWS)

Rock The Street Wall Street (RTSWS) is an innovative nonprofit that brings the M in STEM to diverse high school girls, focusing on financial and investment mathematics and fundamentals, and dedicated to empowering young women with the knowledge and confidence to take control of their financial futures. Through mentorship programs, educational resources, and community events, RTSWS strives to bridge the gender gap in finance and inspire the next generation of female leaders in the industry.

About TIAA

TIAA is a leading provider of secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions. It is the #1 not-for-profit retirement market provider[1], paid more than $5.6 billion in lifetime income to retired clients in 2022 and has $1.3 trillion in assets under management (as of 12/31/2023)[2].

1. As of July 21, 2022. Based on data in PLANSPONSOR’s 403(b) 2022 DC Recordkeeping Survey, combined 457 and 403(b) data.

2. As of December 31, 2023 assets under management across Nuveen Investments affiliates and TIAA investment management teams are $1,284 billion.

 

 

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RTSWS Celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s Month in Three Countries

RTSWS Celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s Month in Three Countries

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Canada, Press Releases, RTSWS in the News, UK, US

RTSWS is proud to highlight its students, alumnae, and volunteers while marking a significant milestone reaching more than 6,000 diverse female students.

NEW YORK, NY, USA, March 7, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) proudly celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month throughout March. This innovative nonprofit is dedicated to bringing the M in STEM to diverse high school girls with a focus on financial & investment mathematics and fundamentals as well as supporting the students and alumnae through their university and early career journeys.

The organization highlights its students, alumnae, and volunteers while marking a significant milestone: RTSWS has reached more than 6,000 diverse female students in 60 high schools / secondary schools across cities in the US, UK, and Canada. Special events will be held in each country, celebrating successes as well as noting industry gaps to be addressed together.

March Keynote Events

Global: 100 Women in Finance JumpStart Program, introduces students to the financial services industry and leaders including a discussion with Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO and Anders Hall, Vice Chancellor for Investments and Chief Investment Officer of Vanderbilt University, moderated by Allison Jegla

New York: TIAA & Rock The Street, Wall Street Host “Day of Promise” for NY’s RTSWS Student CEOs with Thasunda Brown Duckett Fireside chat with leaders: Thasunda Brown Duckett, TIAA President & CEO, and Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO, introduced by RTSWS Students. The half-day event includes TIAA Executive Leadership Roundtables with these aspiring female student CEOs

Canada: CFA Society Toronto & RTSWS, Celebrating International Women’s Day Across Canada Spotlighting: Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO, Tricia Rothschild, Industry leader and Member of the Institute Board of Governors and Board Member of RTSWS, moderated by Frederick Pinto, CFA Society Toronto CEO as they discuss financial investment programming for the next generation of female leaders

London: Bloomberg & Rock The Street, Wall Street – Empowering Secondary School Girls with Financial & Investment Literacy Bloomberg, the global leader in business and financial information, will host nearly 100 girls from RTSWS’sLondon network for a day-long event including financial and investment literacy workshops and a panel featuring senior women from the financial sector, including Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO

London & New York: Tradeweb and RTSWS: The Impact of Inclusion International Women’s Day Panel hosts a discussion with Amanda Meatto, Managing Director, Head of US Institutional Sales, Rates at Tradeweb and Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO, moderated by Colleen Flynn, Managing Director, Repo at Tradeweb

West Coast: ING & Rock The Street Wall Street Preview the reimagined RTSWS Alumnae & Career Center RTSWS Student & Alumnae Cohorts from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland spearhead user testing Global Launch Date: April, Financial Literacy Month

Global Roll Out: Spotlight Series Celebrating Teachers, RTSWS Alumnae & Students, and Volunteers The RTSWS Newsletter, reaching over 10k subscribers, kicks off its “Spotlight” series, highlighting the vibrant young stars and supporters driving change; select spotlights will be featured on LinkedIn as well as the RTSWS Newsletter

RTSWS empowers underserved, racially diverse high school girls by offering opportunities to engage with mathematics and financial investment fundamentals before they choose college courses and embark on their career journeys. The early intervention impact is profound, with RTSWS alumnae earning degrees in finance, economics, or related business fields at 5x the National average for women in college.

Together with Sponsors and Volunteers, Founder & CEO of RTSWS, Maura Cunningham, leverages her more than 25 years of Wall Street experience to inspire the next generation of girls. She emphasizes the transformative power of math education at a critical pre-college juncture and career selection, emphasizing, “STEM professions are exciting, purposeful and they lift up families in one generation.” At the same time, she adds, “These hard-working students diversify the pipeline with talented, motivated young women entering the workforce, strengthening the field for us all.”

Throughout Women’s History Month, RTSWS is participating in a variety of industry events to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of volunteers, sponsors, and students. RTSWS recognizes Binna Kim, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Vested, who hosted the organization’s inaugural Women’s Day event, as RTSWS continues to grow its reach and footprint.

Additionally, Rock The Street, Wall Street extends heartfelt gratitude to its dedicated sponsors and warmly welcomes new and existing firms enhancing their partnership with RTSWS, collaboratively increasing girls’ access to and understanding of the financial industry.

About Rock The Street, Wall Street
Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) is a pioneering non-profit that introduces the world of finance to high school girls, equipping them with financial and investment literacy before they make critical college and career choices. Founded by former Wall Street executive Maura Cunningham, RTSWS has expanded internationally, bringing STEM education to over 60 high schools across 30 cities in the US, UK, and Canada. The program works with female leaders in the financial industry as volunteer instructors and mentors, with sponsor firms providing crucial support.

RTSWS empowers students to envision themselves in pivotal roles, expanding their horizons and offering them the social capital and a pathway into STEM careers. Notably, RTSWS alumnae earn degrees in finance, economics, or related business fields at a rate 5 times the National average for women in college.

Background
Girls are often discouraged from embracing STEM, particularly math, at a young age. RTSWS strives to bolster technical and mathematical proficiency, impart financial knowledge, and bridge the gender gap in math and investing. Disconcertingly, leadership statistics within powerful investment firms repeatedly expose a lack of gender diversity in the C-suite and among money managers. In response, RTSWS harnesses technology and in-person training to increase diversity and expand the talent pipeline.

For more information, visit www.rockthestreetwallstreet.com

 

 

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Rock The Street, Wall Street Welcomes Sonya Park to Its Board of Directors

Rock The Street, Wall Street Welcomes Sonya Park to Its Board of Directors

by | Feb 15, 2024 | Press Releases, US

Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), the nonprofit bringing the M in STEM to diverse high school girls is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonya Park, Managing Director at State Street Global Advisors, as a new member of its Board of Directors. Ms. Park joins this distinguished Board, led by Chairman Anders Hall, Vice Chancellor for Investments and Chief Investment Officer at Vanderbilt University.

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