Financial Women’s Association-Baruch Mentoring Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
June 13, 2022
Kathryn Mayer (middle) has been a mentor for the past ten years for Baruch College students through the Financial Women’s Association-Baruch Mentoring Program, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in June.
The Financial Women’s Association-Baruch Mentoring Program (FWA) is celebrating 20 years of educating, empowering and enriching young women’s lives by connecting top Baruch College business students with seasoned professionals from the financial industry.
Since 2002, the one-on-one mentoring program has been pairing Baruch students with FWA members who have at least eight years of business experience. Through a high-touch approach, mentees and mentors have built life-long connections.
The Program began with nine members supporting business major students, many who are first generation immigrants and first in their families to attend college. To date, more than 300 students have gone through the program with over 100 FWA mentors. The 2022-2023 classes will have a record 49 mentees.
Opportunity to Connect Professional Women with Ambitious Young Women
“It was a match made in heaven,” said Betsy Werley, the FWA president who launched the Baruch chapter in 2002 and currently serves as its co-lead. “When I looked at Baruch, I saw high-energy, smart, first-generation students, ready to launch their careers. FWA mentors share their life experiences with these students and serve as a bridge to the sometimes foreign and intimidating world of corporate America.”
VIDEO: Hear what makes the FWA-Baruch Mentoring Program so special in this video honoring the program’s 20-year anniversary.
Mentees Secure Jobs at Top Firms
Werley said one of the program’s benefits is effective relationship building—mentors introducing their mentees to an extensive network of professionals inside and outside of students’ interest.
Mentees often land jobs at global brands and national firms including BNP Paribas, BNY Mellon, J Morgan Chase, New York Life, S&P Global, SMBC, and Wells Fargo. For 17 years, BMO Capital Markets Equity Through Education program has supported the FWA-Baruch Mentoring Program by providing funding which helps to offer needs-based scholarships, study abroad support, and women’s leadership conference participation.
Join the FWA-Baruch Mentoring Program
The FWA-Baruch Mentoring Program hosted a 20th anniversary celebration on June 16 to commemorate all of its accomplishments. Learn more about how to get involved with the FWA Mentoring Program at Baruch College.
Connect with the program on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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