FWSF Q2 2024 Connections Newsletter

2024 FWSF VP Programs Committee
(View Bio)

Dear Members,

The Programs Committee would like to share the following updates.   

We have successfully partnered with like-minded organizations to cross promote events year to date in 2024, collaborating with AllRise, 100 Women in Finance, CFA Society and Women in ETFs. 

The events have featured both Industry Leadership topics and Lifestyle/Networking opportunities. 

As we focus on continuing the collaboration with our alliance partners, two Programs Committee members have stepped up to take the lead on these efforts: 

Sanem Alkan, Managing Director of SAM Advisory, and Sandra Wasicek-Woegenstein, Co-founder of Zorro Wealth. A big thank you to Sanem and Sandra for all your efforts!

The Programs Committee would like to ensure that we have sufficient Professional Development events that address the needs of our members. Please reach out to info@financialwomensf.org if you have specific topics/skills you would like us to include.

We are always on the lookout for additional venues for our events. If your firm would be willing to offer space for an FWSF event or if you are aware of other office space possibilities, please reach out to info@financialwomensf.org           

We look forward to seeing you at our FWSF events!

Join us for the San Francisco Giants vs the Atlanta Braves game, featuring club-level seating and a pre-game reception and networking event. Workday will sponsor the pre-game reception which will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the game commences at 6:45 p.m. Part of the proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to the FWSF Scholarship Fund. Learn more and buy tickets.

Registration is now open for our 2024 Financial Woman of the Year Luncheon, honoring Lisa Pantages of The San Francisco Giants! Lisa has, throughout her career, dedicated herself to mentoring, advancing, and honoring others in organizations in which she has worked. Learn more about Lisa and register here.

Photograph courtesy of The San Francisco Giants

TMC is pleased to announce the SBA has granted permission for the company to expand into Hawaii, providing the small businesses in the islands access to SBA financing to help them grow and thrive. TMC will be establishing an office in Honolulu and hiring a Business Development Officer there. Based on initial TMC meetings with the bankers in Hawaii, it is an exciting opportunity to help grow the small business community. Way to go Barbara and team!

Rekha is a new member on the rise within FWSF. She joined the organization in 2023 by way of the scholarship program and then connected quickly and joined the DEI&B Committee where she’s worked above and beyond to make the committee’s first program of the year (April 18, 2024) highlighting Financial Literacy Month; titled Driving Change: Financial Literacy Equity and Inclusion, a program to remember. Reka is a true testament to perseverance, resilience, dedication, commitment and not to mention, she graduated from Wharton San Francisco on May 11, 2024. Let’s put our hands together and recognize, FWSF Member and Star on the Rise!  

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.

Sandra Wasicek, the Co-founder of Zorro Wealth, a Wealthtech startup dedicated to empowering female investors and promoting equity in the financial market. Learn more about Sandra at her interview here.

Maria Castel, who started her career at Roberson Stephens Investment Bank in San Francisco, and then made her way back after working and living abroad in London. Learn more about our newest globe-trotter here.

Sunitha Anand, a CPA with two decades of experience and the founder and CEO of AddsVal, a professional services firm offering Fractional CFO Solutions to startups and small to mid-sized businesses. Learn more about Sunitha here.

You can provide a full interview through our Meet A Member Monday Series. You will be able to introduce yourself and more detailed info you would like to share. Please include a photo!

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

Dina Britten, Tax and Financial Advisor    

Debbie Gersten, Relationship Executive, JP Morgan

Lucy Carrico, Marketing Strategist, Executive Coach, Leadership and Board Advisor

Priscilla Liu, Private Equity Associate, Hellman & Friedman (H&F)

Aditi Chandarana, Finance and Accounting Manager, Pilot.com    

Kiran Panesar, Financial Analyst at PAR

Christine Coutolenc, Global Financial Services Executive    

Gayatrin Natrajan, Corporate Credit Risk Professional

Adrienne Fonseca, Founder and Consultant, Adept Advisors LLC    

Ansie Ting, Middle Market Commercial Banker, JP Morgan  

FWSF kicked off a four-part golf series in Quarter 2, beginning with a golf clinic on April 10, 2024 at the Presidio Golf Course. This popular event consisted of a one-hour golf clinic led by one of the talented golf instructors at Presidio, followed by drinks and food at the Presidio Clubhouse.

The second in our four-part golf series event was held on June 12 at Harding Park–Fleming 9 hole course out by the San Francisco Zoo. This popular event included a round of golf and then attendees could grab food and drink. Join us for our next golf event!

Our "Meet Hetty Green, Wall Street’s Forgotten Queen" webinar on April 11 was a success. Attendees learned about one of the first most successful investors in the U.S. who navigated the volatile markets and fickle monetary currents of the Gilded Age, profiting during both the peaks and troughs. Thanks to Mark J Higgins and Michele Seitz for bringing this most remarkable woman alive! View the webinar here.

Our Driving Change: Financial Literacy Equity and Inclusion event was held on April 18. To read a great recap of the event including highlights with eye-opening statistics, check out this interesting write up: Read more...

Our "Trends in Financial Advisory and the Impact of AI" event was held on April 30. Our expert panelists discussed topics surrounding AI and rapid technological innovation, which has the potential to revolutionize advisor productivity, as well as the client experience. Attendees learned which emerging digital technologies will have the biggest impact on the future of wealth management and how AI will transform the client experience, as well as how firms will need to change their governance and policies to minimize risks.

The San Francisco Bank Attorneys Association and Financial Women of San Francisco presented Alliance Event: "Double Trouble" Regulatory Update on May 1 with Kevin Gould and Maureen Young. Kevin Gould is the CEO of the California Bankers Association and brought us the front row perspective on how California legislation affects banking. Maureen Young updated us on new Federal law and regulation affecting banks. Thank you to Kevin and Maureen!

Our 2024 Scholarship Awards Ceremony was on June 6. Attendees heard the inspiring stories of the scholarship award winners and had lots of time to network, socialize, and get acquainted with the FWSF scholarship recipients, corporate sponsors, and members  while enjoying appetizers, wine, and champagne. Our 10 scholarship winners have shown extraordinary talent, community involvement and great desire to pursue careers in finance and accounting. Read more...

FWSF members and members of CFA Society of SF and Women in ETF's enjoyed a fun evening of mingling and wine on June 13 at our Cohosted Summer Mix 'n' Mingle event at MSCI in San Francisco. Special guest Kira Ballotta, a winemaker/owner, formerly in finance, hosted an exclusive wine tasting. Thank you, Kira for sharing your time and expertise!

Our book club events are held virtually each month. These 2nd Quarter book events stimulated engaging discussions:

April: “Just Keep Buying” by Nick Maggiulli

Our April book club book choice was “Just Keep Buying,” by popular finance blogger Nick Maggiulli. Maggiulli crunches the numbers to answer the biggest questions in personal finance and investing.

May: “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg

The focus of May's book club event was "Supercommunicators" by Charles Duhigg. In this groundbreaking book, Charles Duhigg unravels the secrets of the supercommunicators to reveal the art — and the science — of successful communication and reveals the techniques we can all master to successfully connect with others, however tricky the circumstances.

June: “Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet” by Carla Harris

And June’s book club event was based on "Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet" by Carla Harris. One of Wall Street's most powerful and lauded women shares her strategies for long-term success in any career. After years of working on Wall Street, Harris shares the lessons she's learned that can help contribute to career success by aiding readers in navigating the day-to-day complexities and challenges of the workplace.

We have highly informal events that are a fantastic opportunity to get to know other FWSF members, discuss work experiences, and explore mutual business opportunities. FWSF offers similar events at different times of day to better serve your busy schedule.

Monthly Meditations: Virtual event typically occurring near the beginning of the month at lunch time. A monthly meditation practice, using mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought or activity. A great way to unwind and calm yourself from your busy day!

Virtual Book Club: “Think Like a Monk”
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | 5:15 – 6:30 p.m.

Summer Mix ‘n’ Mingle–Bring a Friend!
Thursday, August 1, 2024 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Virtual Bring Your Own Lunch
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

San Francisco Giants Game in honor
of Financial Women of the Year, Lisa Pantages
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Pre-game reception 5:15 p.m., Game commences 6:45 p.m.

Virtual Coffee Connections
Thursday, August 15, 2024 | 8:30 - 9:15 a.m.

Sip & Connect: Wine Tasting and Networking
Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

FWSF Golf Clinic
Thursday, September 12, 2024  |  3:45 - 6:00 p.m.

2024 Financial Woman of the Year Award Program and Luncheon
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

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? If so, please consider joining one of our fantastic Board 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