
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

KYRA CHENG JIAYING
Founder & Co-CEO
Experiences: President of LSE Women in Business Society

KIM CELINE RIETHMÜLLERR
Co-CEO
Experiences: Director at the LSE SU Alternative Investments Conference

ANIKA MENON
Co-CEO
Experience: Project Manager for Oxford University Pro Bono Working Group

KRISTEN TAY
Head of External Partnership
(Firms) & WSABounce
Experiences: Head Of Corporate Affairs at Asia Investment & Banking Conference (AIBC)

NATASHA FINCH
Finance Officer
Experience: Human Resources and Accounts Assistant

MARLENE LEISS
Head of External Partnership (Societies & Schools)
Experiences: Intern at Ashoka

NIKOLET MARINAU
Head of Online Learning Hub
Experiences: Global Banking Summer Intern at UBS

DAIRA POVEZ
Co-Head of Newsletter & Research
Experiences: Fresher Representative of the Warwick Trading Society

SAINA SHARMA
Newsletter Officer
Experiences: Writer for the University of Warwick’s newspaper

FLO BLAKE
Head of Mentorship
Experiences: Head of Women in Finance at Warwick Finance Societies

HALICE CHUNG
Head of Marketing
Experiences: Head of Finance in UK Joint University Careers Society

JENA CURTIS
Marketing Officer
Experiences: Secretary and Social Media Manager of Oxford University Karate Club

MERIGAN WEN
Marketing Officer
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SARA DONAT CATTIN
Mentorship Office

TANIA KIM
Mentorship Officer
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DINAH MATHEWS
Online Learning Hub Officer

TOLU ODEJIDE
Newsletter Officer
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JODY MA
Societies Outreach Officer

MEKHLA MADAAN
Societies Outreach Officer

ABIGAIL NG HEI YEE
Legal and Operations Officer

ANAGHA PATIL
Head of Firms
Experiences: Credit Suisse Steps to Success Scholar

GABRIELA CALLAGHAN-GAITÁN
Newsletter Officer

JENI MEI
Newsletter Officer
Experiences: Sponsorship Executive in UCL Data Science Society

KRISHI SHAH
Firms Officer

MANYA KRISHNA
Legal and Operations Officer

MARIYA SAIT
Firms Officer

MARIA BOU CHEDID
Online Learning Hub Officer

RAHMA HASSAN
Online Learning Hub Officer

SOFIYA MUSINA
Societies Outreach Officer

TEHILLAH CAMPBELL
Societies Outreach Officer
NETWORK OF SENIOR ADVISORS

EMILIE WEST
Emilie is a Coach and Branding Consultant empowering individuals and businesses to achieve their goals through developing authentic brands. Prior to setting up her own consultancy Emilie spent 14 years in Investment Banking holding several senior roles including Head of Leadership for RBS Corporate and Institutional Banking where she transformed leadership and wellbeing for 1000+ staff. Emilie has a degree in Economics from Warwick University and a degree in Nutritional Therapy from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition.

DEBORAH GILSHAN

TERRI LOSKA
Terri is a Managing Director at one of London’s leading recruitment consultancies where she leads the team that is solely dedicated to helping students to take their first crucial steps into the world of work. While assisting graduates to understand and achieve their full potential, right now and for the long term, Terri also consults with Dartmouth’s wider client base. Through partnering with the world’s business elite, Terri is able to impact global talent strategies in order to promote the creation of a more diverse workforce. Terri graduated from The Queen’s College, Oxford University with a 2.1 degree in Literae Humaniores.
Deborah provides strategic advice to institutional investors on investment stewardship and the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. She is an Ambassador for the 30% Club, the global market initiative to improve diversity, having been instrumental in leading the work of the 30% Club’s UK Investor Group. In October 2011, Deborah founded The 100% Club, a multi-sector alliance dedicated to the advancement of women. Deborah chairs the International Corporate Governance Network’s Ethics & Systemic Risk Committee, is a Fellow of ICSA: The Governance Institute and holds the CFA’s Investment Management Certificate. Deborah has been recognised for her work on empowering the female talent pipeline and promoting gender diversity.

NINA KRAUS
Nina is a Vice President on Hamilton Lane’s Global Investment Team. Nina is based in the firm’s London office, where she is focuses on fund investment opportunities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Nina began her career at Hamilton Lane in 2013 and has previously worked for Hamilton Lane in Philadelphia and Munich, where she focused on North American and DACH market fund investment opportunities, respectively. Nina received a B.A. in Economics from Hamilton College. Nina sits on the Hamilton Lane Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, the Hamilton Lane Women’s Exchange Committee and the Level20 Future Leaders Events Committee. On the weekends, Nina can often be found walking the Royal Parks with her Golden Retriever, on a tennis court in North London, or chasing the next snowfall in the mountains.
2022/23 ROADMAP
