RTSWS Forms Canadian Advisory Council to Boost Financial Literacy in Toronto

Apr 19, 2024 | RTSWS Newsletter

RTSWS Forms Canadian Advisory Council to Boost Financial Literacy in Toronto

Toronto - RTSWS Harbord Collegiate Institute Students with Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO

As we celebrate Financial Literacy Month, RTSWS is delighted to announce the establishment of its Canadian Advisory Council. This initiative expands RTSWS' financial & investment literacy programs to more high school girls in Toronto. 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.  

Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder & CEO, expressed enthusiasm about deepening the organization's impact in Toronto, highlighting the city's commitment to inclusivity. "The support from Canadian leaders is invaluable as we empower young women with essential financial skills," said Cunningham.

The council aims to enhance educational opportunities and career pathways in finance for diverse students. Ingrid Montarras from Harbord Collegiate Institute and a RTSWS School Champion remarked, "It's an honor to collaborate with distinguished industry leaders to elevate financial literacy among Toronto's high school girls."

Ashley Leftwich, RTSWS COO, added, "With the expertise of our council members, we're set to create lasting impacts in the financial community for young women in Canada."

RTSWS 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 complete list.

Netila Demneri from
Russell Reynolds

Amy Miller, former Managing Director & Global Head of Loan Syndications at Scotiabank

Frederick Pinto, CFA, CEO of
CFA Society Toronto

Ingrid Montarras, a bilingual Co-op and Business Teacher

Anthony Ostler, President & CEO of the Canadian Bankers Association

Toronto

RTSWS Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham Recognized in Nashville Post’s
In Charge 2024: Finance List

Maura Cunningham, Founder & CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street, has been recognized in the Nashville Post’s In Charge 2024: Finance list. This honor highlights influential leaders shaping Nashville’s financial landscape.

Join us in celebrating Maura and other finance leaders, such as Carol Yochem of First Horizon Bank, Seth P. Bernstein of AllianceBernstein, and Laurel Graefe of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, who collectively enhance Nashville’s economic community.

Congratulations to Maura and all inductees on this outstanding achievement!

Rock The Street, Wall Street Founder & CEO
Maura Cunningham

RTSWS IN THE NEWS

A Strong Impact on Girls

Rock The Street, Wall Street Student
Grace A. Attending Event

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.

RTSWS Board Member Stephen Tisdalle Accepts New Role as CMO at FS Investments

We are proud to announce that Stephen Tisdalle, a valued Rock The Street, Wall Street Board member, has taken on the role of Chief Marketing Officer at FS Investments, a global leader in alternative asset management.

Join us in congratulating Stephen, a testament to the impactful leadership within the Rock The Street, Wall Street community.

Rock The Street, Wall Street
Board Member Stephen Tisdalle

RTSWS EVENTS

Student CEO Leadership Summit: Celebrating Student Leaders at RTSWS

Last Monday, RTSWS's Student CEOs gathered for this year's second Student CEO Leadership Summit! Over an engaging virtual session, special guest speaker Ingrid Kiefer, joined the call to share more about her role as Partner & Chief Business Development Officer at SLR Capital Partners and to field questions from students on pursuing a career in finance.

When asked how to navigate entering a new internship or job, Ingrid advised, "The most important thing is to advocate and communicate for yourself. I love a lot of questions and I love them early in the cycle. I love someone who is proactive in coming to me, not someone asking a lot of questions after we're 80% through a project. This is true of an internship. It's true with interviewing. Never be scared to ask a question and to put out an opinion because it will effectively help guide a conversation to the truth of the matter, and that is going to help you be successful."

During the Summit, Student CEOs also had the opportunity to put their finance knowledge to test during a round of RTSWS trivia! This event served as a wonderful tribute to our RTSWS student leaders and marked the culmination of another successful year for RTSWS.

Interested in Becoming a Student CEO? Our 24-25 Student CEOs application is now open!

To learn more reach out to our team at studentceo@rockthestreetwallstreet.com. 

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

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

2025 Investment Banking Sophomore Summer Analyst Program

(Undergraduate students graduating between
December 2026 and June 2027)

Morgan Stanley

New York, NY

Analyst/Associate, Client Operations

BlackRock

Wilmington, DE

2025 Corporate & Investment Bank Markets
Summer Analyst Program

(Undergraduate Students)

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Multiple Locations

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

By contributing to our cause, you not only pave the way for their financial growth but also help connect them with experienced mentors within the industry, fostering a nurturing environment for professional development.

Your tax-deductible donation through PayPal Giving ensures that 100% of your contribution directly impacts the lives of these aspiring young minds, making a tangible difference in shaping their success and financial independence.

Thank you.  

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

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

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.

See Full Press Release