Explore every episode of the podcast Rocking Finance: A podcast from Rock The Street, Wall Street

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Tricia Rothschild, Interim Chief Executive Officer at CFA Institute about leading organizations through periods of innovation. From helping to scale businesses with more than two decades at Morningstar to leading the CFA Institute, Tricia talks about her career journey, finding your inspiration and advice for the next generation.

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Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Cary Carbonaro, wealth advisor and author of Women and Wealth, about the power of financial literacy, early planning and building confidence with money.

Cary shares personal stories and practical advice from her book, showing how students and professionals alike can take control of their finances and plan for the future. From the time value of money to simple ways to build trust, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone looking to grow their financial knowledge.

Background on the Speakers:

Cary Carbonaro

Cary Carbonaro is an award-winning Certified Financial Planner, Managing Wealth Advisor and longtime advocate for women in finance. She is the author of The Money Queen’s Guide and Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortunes. Cary has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has served as a CFP Board Ambassador. Named to Investopedia’s Top 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors, Cary earned Investment News’ DEI Trailblazer of the Year award and was the only woman appointed to the Nasdaq Index Advisory Council in 2024.

Ashley Leftwich

Ashley Leftwich is the CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street. RTSWS empowers high school and university students by bringing the M in STEM to life through a focus on Financial & Investment fundamentals. The nonprofit provides industry access and guidance to students and alumni, supporting their journey from classrooms to careers while fostering expanded participation in the capital markets. Ashley has a background in mathematics and is committed to helping students gain the skills and confidence to help them succeed in finance and beyond.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more career insights.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

Join RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich as she speaks to 2026 Rock The Street, Wall Street's Woman of the Year, Kristie Feinberg. Kristie is the President and CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments with a career and leadership journey that is inspiring and deeply grounded in purpose.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Kristie shares thoughtful reflections on the Three L's: Leadership, Lessons Learned & Looking Forward. She dives into leadership, resilience, mentorship, as well as the importance of creating access and opportunity for the next generation.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

Join RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich in conversation with Iryna Halubkova, an accomplished investor with over 15 years of experience across private equity, venture capital, and impact investing. Iryna shares how she built her career from the ground up, the importance of adaptability in a changing world, and the key trends shaping finance today—from AI and automation to sustainability and ESG.

She also discusses the power of mentorship and networking for women in finance:

“Your network stays with you throughout your life. It can become your clients, investors, or even your next team.”

Listen now to hear Iryna’s insights on building confidence, staying curious, and thriving in the evolving world of finance.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more career insights.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

In this episode, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Tafadzwa Chanakira, Assistant Portfolio Manager and Trader at Vanguard, about her path into finance and what a day in her life looks like on the equity index team.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tafadzwa was first inspired by her uncle, who founded a bank and hosted a financial literacy program on TV. After studying economics and moving to England, she built a career in asset management and today helps oversee portfolios across global markets.

Tafadzwa shares career insights:

Be curious and keep asking questions

Step into spaces that challenge you

You do not need to know everything to begin, just start

Ashley Leftwich closes with why stories like Tafadzwa’s matter to RTSWS students: finance becomes a visible and attainable career path.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more career insights.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

Join Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), for an inspiring conversation with Kathryn Robinson, an accomplished investor who built a 15-year career spanning hedge funds and family offices.

From her roots in a small mining town in South Africa to managing global investments in London, Kathryn shares a powerful journey of resilience, adaptability, and purpose. She offers a rare inside look at the fast-paced world of hedge funds, the legacy-driven focus of family offices, and the skills needed to succeed in today’s evolving finance industry.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The real differences between hedge funds and family offices

How top investors evaluate companies beyond the numbers

Lessons from navigating a major investment fraud

Why coding and tech skills are essential for future finance careers

Strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and build confidence

Practical steps students can take to start investing and growing their network

Gives students and young professionals an honest, inside perspective on what it takes to thrive in finance today

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

EP5: Main Street Research’s Alexandra Rooney: Join Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street, in an inspiring conversation with Alexandra Rooney, CFP and Private Client Advisor at Main Street Research. Alexandra shares her journey from a first-generation American to becoming a successful financial professional, her day-to-day work in private client advising, and her passion for empowering the next generation of women in finance.

In this podcast, Alexandra discusses:

Her unconventional entry into the finance world

What a day in the life of a private client advisor looks like

The importance of financial literacy and confidence for young women

Her experience volunteering with Rock The Street, Wall Street and working with students

If you're looking to learn about finance, mentorship, or how to break into the industry.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: http://rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

What does it really take to build a meaningful career when you don’t have it all figured out?

In this conversation, Cynthia Plouché, Founder & CEO of The Alzenia Project, joins Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street, for an honest discussion about navigating career uncertainty, leadership, and purpose. Cynthia shares her journey from being one of fewer than 40 Black women in her Radcliffe class to leading multi-billion-dollar investment portfolios and serving on corporate boards.

Together, Cynthia and Ashley explore what belonging really means, how mentorship often shows up in unexpected ways, and why taking on unglamorous opportunities and building relationships can matter just as much as technical skills.

Designed with students and early-career professionals in mind, this interview offers practical insight into finding your voice, embracing uncertainty, and building a career rooted in purpose and impact.

Key themes:

* Belonging and identity

* Mentorship that happens organically

* Career growth through unexpected opportunities

* Leadership without having a perfect plan

Whether you’re exploring your path or rethinking your next step, this conversation offers perspective, reassurance, and practical wisdom.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Dr. Linda Pajoel author, investor, and financial educator about turning short-term actions into long-term financial success.
Dr. Pajoel shares how her journey from dentistry to investing led her to publish Stock Market Mama, a book empowering women to build wealth and resilience.

Together, they discuss:
Quick wins that create lasting financial growth
How to start investing with confidence
Lessons on balancing career, learning, and life

Learn how small steps today can lead to meaningful change tomorrow.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Katherine Relle as she breaks down exactly how she navigated her path from Georgetown → Columbia → LSE → JPMorgan → Private Equity—and the relationship-building strategies that made all the difference.

RTSWS's Emily Holm joins the conversation bringing her expertise on student learning and engagement and inviting university students to request Coffee Chats through the Rock The Street, Wall Street Career Center.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Jelena Sokolova, Senior Equity Analyst, Consumer Sector at Morningstar, based in London.

Jelena shares insights into how she analyzes global market trends, mentors emerging analysts, and navigates complex investment landscapes with a long-term perspective. She also offers advice for students and young professionals looking to build meaningful careers in finance, from cultivating curiosity to developing emotional resilience.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

Rocking Finance: A Rock the Street Wall Street Podcast

Real stories. Real access. Real paths into finance.

Leaders of Rock The Street, Wall Street, a US nonprofit, are joined by financial professionals for candid, high-impact conversations sharing the insights, experiences, career pivots and journeys that can help young women advance through the financial industry with great confidence.

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