CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER
March 2025

Tuesday, March 25, 2025  | 4–5:30 pm

The payment ecosystem is being transformed: new business models emerge, the lines between competitors and partners blur, and global interdependencies become integrated in firms’ operations. What are the implications for you and your company? How can you navigate a career in this landscape? Come learn from our esteemed panel of payment experts.

Virtual coffee connections
Thursday, March 20, 2025  |  8:30–9:15 am

Golf Driving Range with Instructor
Thursday, March 20, 2025  |  3:30–6:00 pm

Virtual book club: Right Kind of Wrong
Wednesday, March 26, 2025  |  5:15–6:30 pm

Virtual monthly meditation
Wednesday, April 2, 2025  |  12–12:30 pm

Virtual member lunch
Tuesday, April 8, 2025  | 12–1 pm

Night at the San Francisco Giants game
Tuesday, August 26, 2025  |  5:15–10 pm

SAVE THE DATE

Advancing together: The power of inclusive finance
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Scholarship awards celebration
Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Photo from Seattle Municipal Archives

As we welcome Women’s History Month it is important to consider the history of women in the United States regarding financial opportunities. Financial Women of San Francisco was created to advance women in finance and financial services.

Only in the 1960’s did women explicitly gain the right to hold a bank account, and in 1963 under the Equal Pay Act, was there a mandate for equal pay, regardless of gender, for equal jobs. In 1974 the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibited credit discrimination based on sex or marital status. Read more

March is National Credit Education month #CreditEducationMonth, and provides an opportunity to remind everyone about the value of the credit score. This score is used to determine your risk profile to be loaned money. Your score can range from Very Poor (300-579) to Exceptional or Excellent (800-850), depending on the reporting bureaus. The three major ones are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Read more

Dear FWSF community,

In today's shifting landscape, I want to reaffirm our enduring commitment to who we've always been. For almost 70 years, FWSF has championed women in finance through mentorship, education, and leadership development.

Read letter

Jeanine M. Donohue, an experienced insurance coverage attorney, was selected to Join Buchalter's Los Angeles Wildfire Task Force, Championing Businesses Through Insurance Challenges. The Task Force is actively engaged in providing critical guidance, advocacy, and policy analysis, particularly as businesses grapple with claim settlements and coverage assessments.

Ayesha Boulware started a new position providing sales and trade coverage for Liquidnet key relationships. She brings with her over 25 years of industry experience, including a number of leadership positions at Flextrade and Portware, as well as an expertise in the electronic trading landscape.

Sue English Mazzetti was named to the Forbes/SHOOK Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State list for 2025—her third year in a row making the list for Northern California!

Margery Zirin shared that long term FWA (now FWSF) member Sara Grossman died in November of 2024. Sara was an active member of FWA since the mid 1980s particularly involved in the Scholarship and Mentoring programs.

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. 

Kristi Royse
CEO, KLR Consulting

Kristi Royse, CEO, KLR Consulting, had the following tips to share.

Why Women’s Career Transitions Matter
International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate progress while acknowledging the unique challenges women still face in advancing their careers. Whether stepping into leadership, pivoting industries, or seeking greater influence, women often encounter obstacles that require strategic navigation.

The Leadership Transition Gap
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented at the highest levels of leadership. Why? Read more

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

Angelica Meddoza Buncio

FWSF Scholarship Winner

Please share a little about yourself: As a first-generation college student, my journey is driven by a passion for learning, personal growth, and making a meaningful impact. At Saint Mary's College of California, I actively engage in leadership roles that foster both community and professional development. Read more

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.

Alexandra Arluna, Regulatory Data Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Anna Crivelli, Associate General Counsel, Daily Pay

Mary Ann Bartels knows what it means to stand at the edge of uncertainty and take the leap. When she walked into Wall Street as a young woman, she was following in the footsteps of her Aunt Bernadette—a trailblazer who became the first woman at 25 Broad Street in 1956. As Bartels recently spoke to a room full of women at the Financial Women of San Francisco (FWSF) event on February 7, her message was clear: women can’t afford to wait for someone else to take the reins of their financial futures. Read more

In February, we read and discussed How to Change by Katy Milkman.

Some key takeaways:

Timing Is Everything: Fresh starts (like New Year's, birthdays, or life changes) provide powerful psychological momentum for change by giving you a clean slate mentally and boosting optimism. However, be cautious as fresh starts can also disrupt positive momentum.
Read more takeaways

We will be accept applications through March 20, 2025.
$15,000 for graduate students  |  $10,000 for undergraduate students. Learn more

Take advantage of a professional development opportunity that not only supports FWSF’s mission but also expands your network and leadership skills. Our Fundraising Committee is looking for passionate members to help raise funds for our Scholarship Fund and support and grow our FWSF events. Learn more

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