US Archives - Rock The Street, Wall Street

Rock the Street Wall Street Announces New Collaboration with Manulife John Hancock’s Wealth and Asset Management Division to Provide More Young Women Access to Financial and Investment Fundamentals

by RTSWS | Sep 4, 2024 | Canada, Press Releases, UK, US

Boston – Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the M in STEM to young women, with a focus on financial and investment mathematics, has announced a new collaboration with Manulife | John Hancock’s global wealth and asset management division. Delivered primarily through in-classroom volunteers who are investment professionals, RTSWS provides extracurricular financial & investment fundamentals to female high school students. Once completing the in-school curriculum, participants are offered support and guidance as they navigate their university education, internships, and entry level professional roles in the capital markets and financial workforce.

Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO Manulife John Hancock Investments, and an RTSWS Executive Sponsor commented, “We understand the crucial role financial literacy plays in empowering individuals and leveling the playing field. Partnering with Rock The Street, Wall Street closely aligns with our commitment to foster inclusive growth and provide meaningful opportunities in the financial sector. I’m also proud on a personal level that our team can help support the next generation of women in finance, expanding access, inclusivity and involvement in the investment management space.”

As part of the broader Manulife Impact Agenda, the business is focused on driving inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all and believes that advancing financial education and career mentorship through volunteerism and community investment will help to build more equitable communities. This collaboration with RTSWS represents a shared vision of promoting gender diversity in finance and opportunity for financial empowerment. Together, RTSWS and Manulife John Hancock will sponsor a classroom program in Toronto, Boston and London along with events offering strategic insights, thoughtful conversation, and networking to help equip young women with additional skills and knowledge to confidently pursue a role in financial services.

Ashley Leftwich, CEO of RTSWS, said, “We are inspired by Manulife John Hancock’s commitment to greater inclusion across their teams, for the next generation of female leaders, and the financial industry overall. This sponsorship extends our reach and deepens the impact RTSWS has on young women, empowering these students to pursue rewarding careers and achieve financial independence through their professional journey.”

RTSWS has served more than 7,000 young women since its founding, with nearly 1,000 students soon-to-enter the workforce and more than 60 financial firms work with RTSWS to help deliver programming. RTSWS analysis shows that the young women who have completed RTSWS programing are pursuing finance and related degrees at five times the rate of the average female university student.

RTSWS continues to innovate and evolve as the students age up. The Alumnae & Career Center provides ongoing support to RTSWS Alumnae as young women navigate university life, internships, job shadowing, mentoring and early career stages with more than 300 jobs and internships posted from across the industry. RTSWS is active in 25 cities across the US, UK and Canada and offers online and virtual options as well.

Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO Manulife John Hancock Investments and an RTSWS Executive Sponsor

Ashley Leftwich, CEO
Rock The Street, Wall Street

About Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS):

Rock The Street, Wall Street is an innovative nonprofit that brings the world of finance to young women, providing financial and investment literacy before college and career decisions are made, serving them through university and early entry level roles. Founded by former Wall Street executive Maura Cunningham, RTSWS operates in over 50 high schools across more than 25 cities in the US, UK, and Canada. The program leverages female leaders in the financial industry as volunteer instructors and coaches, helping students envision themselves in key roles within the finance sector.

RTSWS works together with its Sponsors and Supporters from world-class organizations, see more information here.

Media Inquiries
Kimberly Weinrick
Rock The Street Wall Street
+1 917-224-5335
email us here

Elizabeth Bartlett
Manulife | John Hancock
ELIZABETH_BARTLETT@jhancock.com

See press release

RTSWS Teams with FWSF to Enhance Financial Literacy

by RTSWS | May 13, 2024 | RTSWS in the News, US

Rock the Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) has collaborated with the Financial Women of San Francisco (FWSF) to bring financial literacy education to high school girls at Gateway High School. This effort is part of RTSWS’s ongoing commitment to enhance the understanding of financial and investment fundamentals among diverse student groups.

The engagement at Gateway High School, a public charter school known for its inclusive approach to education, focuses on exposing students to the practical and theoretical aspects of finance. This aligns with the school’s goal of providing a comprehensive educational pathway that prepares all students for college, regardless of their socio-economic background.

Volunteers from FWSF, including Anne Chambers, Kim Scala, Lyssa Holman Grimaldo CFP®, CDFA™, and Jennifer Lin, have participated in this initiative. Their involvement brings a real-world perspective to the students, illustrating the breadth of opportunities available in the financial sector.

The program aims to inspire the students by demonstrating the potential career paths in finance and the importance of financial knowledge in personal and professional settings. By interacting directly with professionals from FWSF, the students gain valuable insights into the financial industry, which is essential for young women considering a future in finance.

This collaboration with FWSF is a part of RTSWS’s broader strategy to integrate the M in STEM—Mathematics—into young women’s education, preparing them for successful careers in STEM fields, including finance.

https://financialwomensf.org/fwsf-in-collaboration-with-rock-the-street-wall-street%E2%80%99s-financial-literacy-program

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Shatter the Glass Ceiling: Empowering Young Women in Finance at Sacred Heart Academy

by RTSWS | May 7, 2024 | RTSWS in the News, US

In January 2024, data showed that only 26.4% of registered economists worldwide are women. To address this gap, Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, New York, introduced the Rock the Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) program last fall. This financial and investment literacy initiative empowers high school girls to explore careers in finance.

Through engaging activities, students learned practical financial skills like budgeting for different lifestyles. After six enriching weeks of the program, students visited Molloy College, where they participated in a fun business quiz game and learned about Molloy’s summer business programs.

Sophomore Gabriella L. noted, “The program was run by women who were alumnae from Sacred Heart, creating a positive and comfortable learning environment that encouraged me to consider pursuing my interest in finance and economics.“

RTSWS fosters a sense of inclusivity for girls, providing them with role models and helping them build the confidence needed to thrive in a field often dominated by men. By participating in this program, Sacred Heart students are breaking the glass ceiling, gaining financial knowledge, and leading the way to a more equitable future in finance and economics.

Read the full article:
https://nypost.com/2024/05/07/lifestyle/shatter-the-glass-ceiling-school-program-empowers-young-women-in-economics/

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

by RTSWS | 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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A Strong Impact on Girls

by RTSWS | Apr 2, 2024 | RTSWS in the News, US

The Marshall Fundamental Girls Build LA Club recently hosted a Lunch and Learn event, welcoming over thirty young women eager to learn about civic engagement and female empowerment. The event featured activities and discussions aimed at empowering young women and promoting community involvement. Representatives from Rock The Street Wall Street‘s Financial Literacy Club and Women in Business Club were invited, highlighting the importance of mentorship and community support in shaping the future leaders of tomorrow.

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

by RTSWS | 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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