Annual Gala of 500+ Attendees Raises Both Awareness and Funds for Scholarships and Mentoring Programs

/EINPresswire.com/ -- NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- (Marketwired) -- 04/18/16 -- Editors Note: There are nine photos associated with this press release.

The Financial Women's Association of New York (FWA) celebrated its 60th Anniversary on April 12th at a Gala Dinner held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. The Gala was emceed by Kelly Evans, co-anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell and honored Colleen Campbell, Vice Chair of BMO Capital Markets as the FWA Private Sector Woman of the Year and the FWA Past Presidents as the FWA Public Sector Women of the Year. The FWA raised significant funds for its ongoing mentoring, scholarship and financial literacy programs.

The Gala Dinner was a tribute to the FWA's robust history and to its ongoing mission to accelerate the leadership and success of women across the financial community in all industries by advancing careers, fostering alliances and preparing the current and next generation of professionals. In addition to the inspiring stories of several high school and college mentees and scholarship recipients, the FWA noted some of its more memorable achievements over the past 60 years - a delegation to China in 1977, international conferences to more than 25 countries on 6 continents, a Veterans' Initiative to Serve Women Who Served launched in 2014, and numerous scholarship, mentoring and internship programs that have helped more than 6,000 professionals and students.

Colleen Campbell, Vice Chair of BMO Capital Markets and a 30-year industry veteran, was honored as the FWA Private Sector Woman of the Year. Ms. Campbell's work at BMO, both as the Global Head of BMO's Debt Capital Markets division and as Vice Chair of its Investment and Corporate Banking Group, makes her a prime example of the female leadership that epitomizes the FWA. "I am grateful to the FWA for its work in contributing to the next generation's success, helping to build future leaders in our field," said Ms. Campbell. "I'm also proud to be counted among the ranks of such an impressive group of leaders to have been recognized through the Woman of the Year award - it means a lot."

"It is an honor to acknowledge leaders in the field, such as Colleen Campbell, as well as the leaders who have come before us driving the FWA forward and in partnership with leading firms," said FWA President Katrin Dambrot. "In 60 years, the scope of the FWA's mission has grown to accommodate the rising numbers of women involved in the financial community, including the current generation of professionals and students that are brought together through the FWA. Tonight we honor the pioneering women who founded this important organization as well as the next generation of leaders - it's a remarkable and inspiring combination to join the ranks of such talent and vision. In one way or another, we've all found strength in this alliance."

The FWA also honored FWA Past Presidents at the Gala, with a special acknowledgement regarding each President's part in steering the FWA's mission. Through the leadership of these individuals, the FWA has provided a public forum for women to demonstrate their leadership and advisory skills through professional networking, groundbreaking educational programs, mentorship, and practical training. Since 1956, the Presidents of the FWA have shown unwavering commitment and dedication in supporting these goals and sharing best practice.

In addition to recognizing Campbell and the FWA on their dedication to building diverse and inclusive workforces through innovation and business acumen, Darryl White, CEO & Group Head, BMO Capital Markets, announced a generous gift matching for night-of donations to FWA scholarship and mentoring programs. He also introduced an exciting new initiative: Back to Business. In partnership with the FWA and other leading firms, this program will strive to help qualified individuals reenter the financial industry following an extended absence from the workforce for reasons such as childcare or eldercare.

"The eight enterprising women who launched the FWA in 1956 had the fortitude to create a lasting legacy - for more than 60 years," said Dambrot. "On behalf of the FWA, we remain dedicated to enhancing the role of women in finance and investing in the community, and to inspire the pipeline of tomorrow's talent. We've achieved a number of remarkable milestones over the years through partnering with leading firms and we even have more to achieve - together."

FWA President's Circle Supporters

The FWA gratefully acknowledged the generosity and commitment of its President's Circle Fortune 500 partners, who support the FWA in providing mentoring programs and scholarships to over 6,000 young professionals and students. In particular, the FWA acknowledged the contributions of BMO Capital Markets to the FWA Education Fund over the past 11 years, including through the BMO "Equity through Education" Program.

About the FWA

The FWA was founded in 1956 to help advance the leadership of women in the financial community. The New York-based organization partners with companies to share best practices and provides opportunities for members to build their careers, meet industry leaders, earn the support of powerful women and major companies, and contribute to the next generation of female leaders. The FWA's community activities include mentoring, scholarships, and training programs. The FWA High School Mentoring Program has impacted the lives of dozens of young women, empowering them to overcome sometimes overwhelming odds to graduate from high school and attend college. The FWA's Wall Street Exchange Program has helped over a thousand interns develop professional and networking skills; the FWA Adult Financial Literacy training programs have helped educate over 200 underserved women about personal financial matters, and 2,000 students have participated in the FWA's Financial Backpack Literacy training. In addition, 140 scholarships have been awarded to MBA students and 250 Undergraduate FWA/BMO Scholarships have been awarded to undergraduate students.

To speak with Katrin Dambrot or for further information about the 60th Anniversary Gala or the FWA, please contact the FWA Office on 212 533-2141 ext 303.

Visit our newsroom at www.fwa.org/news-room; and learn about membership or partnering with the FWA at www.fwa.org.

FWA Past Presidents Honored as Women of the Year - Public Sector 2016:

             Name                 Date              Name             Date
----------------------------- -----------  --------------------- -----------

Nancy Zucker                  1956 - 1957  Barbara B. Roberts    1991 - 1992
Joan Williams Farr            1957 - 1958  Mina Baker Knoll      1992 - 1993
                                           Ruth L. Finch Powers  1993 - 1994
Marguerite Beer Platt         1965 - 1967  Debra D. Flanz        1994 - 1995
                                           Gail S. Miner         1995 - 1996
                                           Jeannette G. Hobson   1996 - 1997
Martha S. Sproule             1972 - 1973  Dominique Martinet    1997 - 1998
Bernadette M. Bartels Murphy  1973 - 1974  Lenore C. Albom       1998 - 1999
Sheila M. Baird               1974 - 1975  Pamela J. Packard     1999 - 2000
M. Helen Fisher Bennett       1975 - 1976  Kimberly L. Quinones  2000 - 2001
Susan Dollinger               1977 - 1978  Betsy L. Werley       2001 - 2002
Melinda L. Lloyd              1978 - 1979  Joan Shapiro Green    2002 - 2003
Candace L. Straight           1979 - 1980  Mary Rudie Barneby    2003 - 2004
Susan Fisher Greenwood        1980 - 1981  Kelly A. Mathieson    2004 - 2005
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen        1981 - 1982  Judith L. Mellars     2005 - 2006
Pamela J. Newman              1982 - 1983  Martha Clark Goss     2006 - 2007
Ellen M. Sills-Levy           1983 - 1984  Lily Klebanoff Blake  2007 - 2008
Myrna Z. Weiss                1984 - 1985  Kristin McDonough     2008 - 2009
Norma Niehoff-Emerson         1985 - 1986  Stephanie Hauge       2009 - 2010
Myra Leigh Tobin              1986 - 1987  Susan Ganz            2010 - 2011
Margaret N. Newborg           1987 - 1988  Anne Izzillo          2011 - 2012
Heidi S. Steiger              1988 - 1989  Susan Harper          2012 - 2013
Barbara M. Reno               1989 - 1990  Kimberly Weinrick     2013 - 2014
Lucille V. Corrier            1990 - 1991  Maureen Adolf         2014 - 2015

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Contacts:
FWA Office
Katrin Dambrot
212 533-2141 ext 303
www.fwa.org/news-room
www.fwa.org