
WOMEN SOCIETIES ALLIANCE
The Full Story
“I had the initial idea of the Women Societies Alliance (“WSA”) when I was first exposed to the financial services industry and the inspiring senior women in finance during my first year at university.
Driven to pursue a career in this male-dominated industry, I sought out organisations and communities to help me build my network, skills and knowledge. I found the support I needed at the London School of Economics' Women in Business Society, where I had the most rewarding opportunities to serve in the committee as Head of Events and subsequently President. It was also during that time and through speaking with other female students at other universities that I became more aware of the gender gap in the industry.
I have been very fortunate to find a supportive community at the London School of Economics. However, many of my friends faced challenges in finding a similar support network.
It occurred to me that if we could unite all the Women in Finance and Business societies, we would build a much stronger community. Thus, we have founded the WSA – aiming to create the largest network of female students and connecting them with female professionals in the industry.”
— Kyra, Founder
OUR PURPOSE

GENDER EQUALITY
We aim to champion gender equality within the finance corporate environment through building a community for all female students across the UK and female professionals at our sponsor firms.

INDEPENDENCE & EXTENSIVE SCALE
We are unique in our independence from any university association and extensive scale of accessibility to an incredibly wide pool of talented female students with a keen interest in finance.

DIVERSE INITIATIVES
Our diverse and robust range of initiatives equip young women with the resources and opportunities to build their knowledge, skills and network in the financial industry.

STRONG FOUNDING TEAM
We are a young and fast-growing organisation whose founding team consists of extremely passionate and committed individuals who bring together a variety of skills and experiences. We are also honoured to have a dedicated board of Senior Advisors providing us with valuable guidance and advice in our journey.
THE TEAM
CEO, COO and Directors of WSA

CARA MAYNARD CONNOR
Co-CEO of WSA

HASTI BADAMCHI
Co-CEO of WSA
Operations Team

AMRAN SOURAFEL
Legal and Operations Officer

XIANGTONG LIU
Operations Officer

SISSI CHEN
Operations Officer

E-Lin Sng
Operations Officer

KHINE YA THAW
Senior Finance and Operations Officer

Anika Labroo
Legal and Operations Officer

Maryam Sirajuddin
Operations Officer

KAREN SOCORRO
Finance and Operations Officer
Social Engagement Team

AMELIA HANCOCK
Head of Social Engagement

ANYA GEORGE
Social Engagement Officer

KAVINAA KURUNANITHY
Social Engagement Officer
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DAWN ONG
Social Engagement Officer

OLGA KYYANENKO
Social Engagement Officer
External Partnerships: Societies Outreach Team

SHEANN LIM
Head of Societies Outreach

AMYRA VARMA
Societies Outreach Officer

TAMARA LAKE
Societies Outreach Officer

ALISHA HANA
Societies Outreach Officer

NORA COSTEA
Societies Outreach Officer
External Partnerships: Organisations Outreach Team and WSAlumni

CAROLINE TESIMAN
Head of Organisations Outreach and WSAlumni

KANIKA KHANCHANDANI
Organisations Outreach Officer
External Partnerships: Firms Outreach Team

CLARICE LIM LI
Head of Firms Outreach

GABRIELLE CAO
Firms Outreach Officer

JIYA KHANDELWAL
Firms Outreach Officer

SANVI KAPOOR
Firms Outreach Officer

LEA MILANINI
Firms Outreach Officer
Online Learning Hub (OLH) Team

GURMEHEK KAUR
Head of Online Learning Hub

EMMA BELSHAW
Online Learning Hub Officer

TAN JIA REN
Online Learning Hub Officer

SOPHIA AHMAD
Online Learning Hub Officer
Mentorship Team

LILI JING
Head of Mentorship


YUKTA SAREEN
KATERINA GEORGIOU
Mentorship Officer
Mentorship Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KYRA CHENG JIAYING
Founder and Director of WSA
Co-CEO (Jan 2020 - Mar 2022)
Investment Banking Analyst at Morgan Stanley

KIM CELINE RIETHMÜLLER
Director of WSA
Co-CEO (Feb 2020 - Mar 2022)
Associate at AlpInvest Partners - The Carlyle Group

JENA CURTIS
Co-CEO and Director of WSA
Marketing (Jul 2022 - Jan 2023)
Experiences: Secretary and Social Media Manager of Oxford University Karate Club

HALICE CHUNG
Co-CEO and Director of WSA
Marketing Head (Jun 2022 - Jan 2023)
Experiences: Internal Vice President and Head of Finance in UK Joint University Careers Society
2024/25 ROADMAP
