Women in Finance: Building a stronger future for women in the industry

In April 2024, the Women in Finance student organization at MSU marked a significant milestone, celebrating its inaugural year while setting ambitious goals for the future. Founded by a dedicated group of upperclassmen, this organization aims to create a strong, supportive community for women aspiring to excel in the finance industry.

The inception of Women in Finance (WIF) stemmed from the stark underrepresentation of women in finance courses and professional roles. Many female students were navigating the rigorous finance curriculum without connections to their female peers. Recognizing this gap, a group of students took the initiative to establish an organization that fosters mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities tailored specifically for women in finance.

Kymm Hadlock, fixed-term faculty in the department of finance, is a key supporter of the initiative. She emphasized the need for the organization, saying: “Finance is one of the largest majors at MSU and continues to grow. However, women make up just over 20% of finance majors, and that number has been declining. Many women in my class reported feeling uncomfortable attending student organization meetings, as they were predominantly male. That’s when I started discussing the need to cultivate a sense of belonging.”

Women in Finance envisions a strong community of support for women at MSU interested in finance careers. Open to all genders of students across various disciplines—including economics, STEM, and other majors—the organization provides workshops, networking opportunities, and professional development resources.

Hannah Bennett, vice president and finance senior with a minor in financial planning and wealth management, reflects on the necessity of WIF: “In class, I didn’t know many women, even though we had been in the same courses for years. We wanted to change that by creating a welcoming environment where women could connect. Even in our first year, we’ve already seen impactful changes and new friendships forming.”

One of the organization’s standout events was the Women in Finance Conference, a large-scale networking event connecting members with professionals from corporate finance, wealth management, and investment banking. The conference provided an opportunity for students to engage with industry leaders, MSU alumni, and recruiters seeking to support and hire diverse talent. With over 100 attendees, the event facilitated internship placements and valuable mentorship connections.

Vice president Courtney Koch, a finance senior, reflected on the event’s success: “The conference reinforced the importance of networking. Seeing our members engage with professionals, gain career insights, and secure internships was inspiring. The alumni presence was especially impactful, as they shared their experiences and motivated our members to pursue their goals with confidence.”

Beyond the conference, Women in Finance has hosted speaker series, workshops, and roundtable discussions covering topics like financial modeling, Excel proficiency, personal branding, and negotiation strategies.

A notable workshop led by Hadlock focused on personal communication and networking, specifically helping students feel more confident in casual networking settings. Another key event was a professional development workshop where students sat in small groups based on their career interests—such as wealth management, investment banking, or corporate finance—while senior members provided advice on resumes, behavioral and technical interview questions, and useful industry resources. Another workshop featured a speaker from Raymond James, providing a deeper dive into wealth management careers. Other guest speakers include Maria Duey, CEO and founder of Leonine Advisory + Support Services and Helen Dashney, fixed-term faculty in the department of finance and founder of the Dashney Women’s Leadership Accelerator.

Additionally, Women in Finance will host a session on April 3^rd, featuring Dr. Ayalla Ruvio, associate dean for MBA and MS programs. She will be discussing microaggressions in the workplace, helping members understand how to navigate difficult situations professionally and advocate for themselves in male-dominated environments.

At the core of Women in Finance’s success is its dedicated leadership team. The executive board, comprised of passionate student leaders, has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision and ensuring its sustainability. Through organizing meetings, hosting events, and developing mentorship programs, the team has fostered a strong sense of community while enhancing their own leadership and interpersonal skills.

Koch reflected on her experience: “I wish this club had started earlier in my college career to make an even greater impact. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our programming with Excel workshops, networking events, and a closer-knit community where every finance woman knows one another.”

Bennett echoed this sentiment, “One of my biggest takeaways is how important it is to build a supportive community. We didn’t just create a professional organization; we built friendships, mentorships, and a network of women who genuinely want to see each other succeed.”

Through mentorship, professional development, and networking, Women in Finance is helping women excel in finance-related fields while strengthening connections with Broad College alumni.

With a successful first year behind them, Women in Finance is setting ambitious goals. Future initiatives include expanded mentorship programs, industry-specific workshops, and opportunities for members to connect with professionals from diverse sectors.

Bennett emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusivity: “We want to be a hub for women in finance—not just within Broad College, but across other disciplines like economics and STEM. There are so many students who could benefit from learning more about finance, and we want to bridge that gap.”

Hadlock shared additional plans: “Longer-term, we hope to establish a summer camp for high school girls interested in finance at MSU and organize roadshow opportunities for students to visit companies across Michigan for firsthand exposure to industry professionals.” She also stated that this summer she will have a group researching a Women in Finance podcast.

Women in Finance also plans to create a study group network, allowing members to collaborate on challenging finance courses and prepare for recruitment cycles tailored to different sectors. The executive board is also working on a digital course guide to help students plan their coursework strategically for their desired finance career paths.

Women in Finance is more than just an organization—it is a movement dedicated to reshaping the future of the finance industry by empowering women to break barriers and achieve success.

Reflecting on the impact of the organization, Bennett said, “Seeing our members find mentors, secure internships, and build a network of supportive women has been the most rewarding part of this experience. It’s incredible to watch this community grow.”

As Women in Finance continues to expand, it remains committed to equipping, connecting, and inspiring women in finance at MSU and beyond.

To learn more about Women in Finance, visit their Instagram or LinkedIn.