School of Business Administration
Empowering the Next Generation: Women of Wall Street Leading in Finance
Founded in the spring of 2024, Women of Wall Street (WOWS) at the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration is a new student organization dedicated to increasing female representation in finance and investing. Recognizing the hesitation of women to participate in other finance-focused student groups, WOWS was created to provide a supportive environment where female students can gain the confidence, skills, and network they need to thrive in the male-dominated world of finance.
With female representation in finance, particularly in leadership roles, still significantly low, Women of Wall Street aims to address this gap by offering hands-on investing experience, educational opportunities, and networking with industry professionals. By empowering women with practical financial knowledge and professional connections, WOWS is ensuring women are stepping into their financial careers with confidence and a network of support.
“Our goal is to empower women by boosting their confidence. We want women to feel comfortable and capable in these spaces and provide them with the tools they need to succeed,” said Maddie Noone, co-president of Women of Wall Street. “Through engaging with Women of Wall Street, we hope all women will deepen their financial knowledge, literacy, investment management, stock valuations, Excel, PowerPoint, presentation skills, networking, resume, and interview skills. Our vision is to cultivate a strong community of women who uplift and empower each other, growing stronger together.”
The club’s approach includes targeted programming to help women develop essential finance skills, such as stock valuation, investment management, and financial analysis, along with soft skills like presentation abilities, resume building, and interview techniques. These efforts are designed to create a strong community where women support each other’s growth and passion for finance.
One challenge WOWS is actively working to overcome is the intimidation many women feel when entering finance-focused opportunities or careers.
“Many women feel overwhelmed at the thought of learning finance,” Noone said. “We’re creating fun and inviting learning opportunities to help them overcome this challenge and feel confident in pursuing finance careers.”
WOWS is also planning to leverage the university’s alumni network to bring in speakers, facilitate networking opportunities, and secure internships for members. These efforts are designed to give women a clear path toward success in finance, both during their academic careers and after graduation.
“ The founders were inspired to do so based on what seems to be a reluctance of women SBA students to participate in other existing student groups focused on careers in high finance. In order to break down any real or perceived barriers, these founders hope to encourage women to participate in these professional fields,” said Elizabeth S. Williams, faculty lecturer in economics and finance and faculty advisor for Women of Wall Street.
Long-term, Women of Wall Street aims to increase female engagement and participation in finance-related student organizations, ultimately boosting female representation in the finance industry.
“Our vision is to create a strong network where women uplift and empower each other, driving greater female presence and leadership in the finance sector,” Noone said.
“High finance and Wall Street-styled professional populations are becoming increasingly diverse in representation. We want all UD SBA students to feel that these professions are open to them,” Williams added.
Women of Wall Street is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of female finance professionals at the University of Dayton and beyond, providing a platform for women to grow, learn, and succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field.