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 FOUNDING 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
ANNABELLE GOUTTEBROZE
COO
Experience: Events Committee for Women in Business at LSE
VANESSA TANG
Head of External Partnership
(Firms & Organisations)
Experiences: Ex-VP of Imperial College Women in Business Society
ANNIKA SLOTHUUS HOI
Co-Head of External Partnership (Societies & Schools)
Experiences: Board Member at Danish Debate Association
MARLENE LEISS
Co-Head of External Partnership (Societies & Schools)
Experiences: Intern at Ashoka
SHANNAN HUANG
WSAbounce Officer
Experiences: Industrial Relations Officer at Imperial College Chemical Engineering Society
IRENE SO
Head of Research
Experiences: Publicity Associate of KCL BAME In The City
ALYSSA LING
'The Primer' Editor-in-Chief
Experiences: Co-Chairman of Asia Investment & Banking Conference
FELICIA XU
Co-Head of Online Learning Hub
Experiences: Intern at Knight Frank
IRENE SO
Head of Research
Experiences: Publicity Associate of KCL BAME In The City
LIZA BAYANKINA
Head of Online Learning Hub
Experiences: Manager at Russian Business Week
NIKOLET MARINAU
OLH Officer
NATASHA FINCH
Finance Officer
Experience: Human Resources and Accounts Assistant
KRISTEN TAY
Head of External Partnerships and (Firms) and WSAbounce
Experiences: Head Of Corporate Affairs at Asia Investment & Banking Conference (AIBC)
FRANCESCA COLOMBO
Marketing Officer
Experiences: Upcoming Business Engagement Placement Intern at Samsung Electronics
ISOBEL BALMER
Co-Head of Mentorship
Experiences: Marketing Intern at Envestors Limited
FLO BLAKE
Co-Head of Mentorship
Experiences: Head of Women in Finance at Warwick Finance Societies
ANUSHAE MEERZA
WSAbounce Officer
Experiences: Co-Head of Warwick Women in Finance
AASHNA LUNKAD
Newsletter/Research Officer
Experiences: Events Freshers Representative at Warwick Women's Careers Society
DAIRA POVEZ
Newsletter/Research Officer
Experiences: Fresher Representative of the Warwick Trading Society
FLORA BATES
Online Learning Hub Officer
Experiences: Chairman of Social Enterprise and Charities committees
ZUZANNA HEBDZYNSKA
Firms Officer
MARY SAMAHA
Co-Head of Marketing
Experiences: Head of Marketing at LSESU Women in Business
RHEA ANN PINTO
Co-Head of Marketing
Experiences:
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.
2021/22 ROADMAP
