CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER
February 2025

Mona Ahmadi
2025 FWSF President
(Bio)

It is with immense pride and profound gratitude that I step into the role of President of Financial Women of San Francisco. This moment is not just personal—it's historic. For the first time in FWSF’s history, a former scholarship recipient will lead the organization. This milestone is a testament to the transformative power of FWSF, which invests in women’s futures and empowers them to rise, lead, and give back. As someone who has experienced the impact of FWSF firsthand, I am honored to contribute shaping the next chapter of our shared legacy.

My theme for 2025 is "Empowering the future"—a theme that reflects both our mission and the unique journey that brought me to this role. Read full letter.

Thursday, March 6, 2025  |  12:30 – 6:30 pm

Breaking barriers: marching forward

This International Women’s Day organizers are asking women around the world to “accelerate action.” What does that mean, though? At Financial Women of San Francisco, this IWD is about breaking barriers to build a new normal for women, particularly those working in finance.

Join us for this exciting, interactive, inspiring event!

Coffee connections
Thursday, February 20, 2025  |  8:30 – 9:15 am

Monthly meditation
Wednesday, March 5, 2025  |  12 – 12:30 pm

Virtual member lunch
Tuesday, March 11, 2025  | 12 – 1 pm

Payment trends: risks and opportunities
Tuesday, March 26, 2025  | 4 – 5:30 pm

Priscilla Liu is a Private Equity associate who currently works at Hellman & Friedman (H&F) in SF. She played a pivotal role in H&F's $3.3 billion control buyout of Global Music Rights (GMR), a performance rights organization that represents top artists such as Billie Eilish, Drake, Bruno Mars that was founded by music industry legend Irving Azoff. This is H&F's first investment in the music industry in the 40 year history of the firm.

I’m thrilled to share with the FWSF community that after two decades in banking and nonprofit leadership, I’ve launched R² Consulting Partners to help social ventures scale and succeed. We bridge critical financial and operational gaps, providing fractional CFO/COO services, project-based consulting, and interim leadership to mission-driven startups, small businesses, and nonprofits. Our clients include a nonprofit lender supporting underserved entrepreneurs, a startup accelerator focused on diverse founders, and a fintech providing affordable financing to underbanked subcontractors. This journey is the perfect intersection of my experience in finance, investing, and leadership with my deep passion for social and economic justice.

Did you get a promotion? Change jobs? Launch a business? We want to know so that we can promote your news to the FWSF community! Submit your news.

Louise Cochran Principal, L.F. Cochrane & Associates

FWSF member, Louise Cochran, Principal, L.F. Cochrane & Associates, had the following tips to share.

We all can get overwhelmed with the looming tax deadline. What if there was a different way to approach the deadline and reduce the stress on our shoulders.  Here is where you can start:

 1. Shopping list — Think of organizing your tax documents like you are putting together your shopping list. Remember: the $$$ on the documents are from 2024, what is done is done. All you can do is gather and organize. Read more tips

Is there a career tip, or advice you would like to share that will benefit others? Submit your tips.

New members — Would you like to introduce yourself to our FWSF community?

Longer term members — Would you like to reintroduce yourself and provide an update?

Our members want to meet you. Fill out the questionnaire.

Stephanie Bowens, Associate Director, The Siegfried Group

Diane Fernald, CEO, Futurecast Finance, Inc

Stephanie Glazer, Global Sustainability, RMHC, Inc.

On January 30, FWSF and friends rang in 2025 at Buon Vino with wine and light refreshments. The fun continued with many staying for game night that had a new twist on Bingo - Singo—where you listen for songs instead of letters/numbers. View photos

People Can't Drive You Crazy if You Don't Give Them the Keys by Mike Bechtle.

On January 29, the Book Club examined strategies of how to handle difficult people. 

Some key takeaways:

Are you looking to help make a positive impact on women in our community? Interested in building your leadership skills and a path to a FWSF Board seat? Please consider joining one of our committees! As a volunteer-run organization, our committees are integral to making FWSF an essential source of insight and inspiration. Committees are also a great way to gain exposure to FWSF's leadership and develop the skills for a future position on our Board. Learn more here