Financial Alliance for Representation and Empowerment (FARE)

Congratulations to our Founder and Board President, Kristi Rodriguez (Martin), on her well-deserved promotion to Nationwide Financial Marketing Leader and her induction into The Executive Leadership Council (ELC)! Kristi’s leadership is an inspiration to us all! We're beyond excited for her as she steps into her new role, and we know she will elevate both Nationwide and ELC to new heights. We are so proud of her achievements! #FARE #WomenInFinance #WomenInWealth #FAREFoward #WomenInLeadership

Big moves at WSSU! Fifteen students have successfully completed the American Retirement Association (ARA) courses. The ARA courses provide students with the opportunity to earn valuable certifications in Introduction to Retirement Plans and Retirement Plans Fundamentals, equipping them with essential knowledge and a competitive edge as they prepare for careers in financial services. A special thank you to Dr. Terrance Martin at WSSU, Will Hansen, Chief of Government Affairs, and Erika Goodwin, Director of Advocacy Engagement at ARA, for making this possible. We’re thrilled to partner with you to provide opportunities that expand students' academic and professional horizons. Let’s give a big congratulations to these students: Iyaila Edwards Brianna Wall Patience Verene Samuel Elliott Vincent Lewis Jr. Tajah Paulk Trevor Willard Ashley Gotay Aqui Thompson Audrianna White Chloe McGhee Jazmine Edwards Raven-Alexas Howell Aqui Thompson Brandon Jackson #FARE #HBCU #FinancialServices #NextGenLeadership #ARA #WSSU

FARE attended the BISA Conference (March 4-7) in Fort Lauderdale, FL, connecting with industry leaders and driving conversations on the future of financial services! Nicole Ridley and FARE Student Ambassadors Imani Washington (Delaware State University) and Jasmine Pierce (Virginia State University) gained valuable connections and insights at this event! Throughout the conference, they engaged in thought-provoking discussions, built meaningful relationships, and explored actionable ways to create pathways for inclusion in financial services. It was an energizing experience that reaffirmed the importance of our mission. Thank you to our partners at BISA and the Black Voices Unmuted subcommittee for your partnership and an impactful conference experience. Stay tuned for additional highlights from the conference! #FARE #BISA2025

Who’s shaping the future of finance? These women. The women on FARE’s Board of Directors are leading the charge in increasing representation and expanding access to opportunities in the financial services. Drop a ?? in the comments to celebrate their work, and tag a woman in finance who inspires you! ?? Kristi Rodriguez (Martin), FARE Founder, Board President & Nationwide Financial Marketing Leader ?? Aiyisha Adams, MBA, CRPC, CDP, VP of Advisor Engagement at Osaic ?? Shani Armon, Chief Operating Officer at Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) ?? Regina Curry, Chief Diversity Officer at Franklin Templeton ?? Rhonda Burns, Associate Vice President – Office of Culture and Talent Acquisition at Nationwide ?? Shareen Luze, Head, Business Administration at RBC Wealth Management ?? Kizmet T. Moore, MBA, CDE?, Assistant VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NFP, An AON Company Learn more about FARE’s Leadership at https://thefare.org/ #WomenInFinance #WomenInWealth #FAREFoward #WomensHistoryMonth #FARE

Suze Orman is a ?? powerhouse ?? in personal finance, empowering millions to own their financial futures. Her financial tips, from smart saving strategies to wise investing decisions, can give you the confidence to control your finances. Source: Suze Orman via YouTube #WomenInFinance #WomenInWealth #FAREFoward #WomensHistoryMonth #FARE

5 Women Who Paved the Way in Finance From banking to business, accounting to education, these five women reshaped history and opened doors for future generations. ?? Maggie Lena Walker – First Black woman to charter a U.S. bank, empowering Black communities with financial independence. ?? Annie Turnbo Malone – Self-made millionaire who founded Poro College, training Black women in business and finance. ?? Mary T. Washington Wylie – First Black woman CPA in the U.S., breaking barriers in accounting and paving the way for diversity in finance. ?? Alberta Virginia Scott – First Black woman to graduate from Radcliffe College, setting the foundation for Black women in higher education and finance. ? Josephine Beall Willson Bruce – Advocate for Black financial institutions, championing economic empowerment and independence. #WomenInFinance #FAREFoward #WomensHistoryMonth #FARE

Just wrapped up an amazing few days in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at the BISA Conference (March 4-7)—connecting with industry leaders, gaining fresh insights, and diving into important conversations about the future of financial services. One of the best parts? FARE sponsored two incredible student ambassadors, Imani Washington (Delaware State University) and Jasmine Pierce (Virginia State University), who made the most of every opportunity—networking, learning, and soaking up all the knowledge they could. A standout moment was at the Women’s Luncheon, where one of our students asked Anamika Alam what advice she’d give her younger self. Her response? “Be courageous and be bold.” Simple, powerful, and a message that stuck with all of us. We also attended an insightful DEI workshop, where Donnell White shared great perspectives on fostering inclusivity in financial services. And to top it off, FARE had the chance to participate in a podcast, where our students shared their thoughts and experiences from the conference—such an awesome way to amplify their voices! And honestly, there was no better way to close out the conference than with a fireside chat featuring Brett Carmichael, MBA, CWS? and Cris Carter. Their conversation was packed with leadership wisdom, career insights, and life lessons that left us all inspired. A huge thank you to Jeff Hartney, Candice Young, the entire BISA team, and Black Voices United for making this experience possible for FARE and our students. Your dedication to creating opportunities for diverse talent in financial services is truly appreciated! Looking forward to keeping the momentum going and continuing these important conversations!

We're so glad you had the opportunity to go! Imani Washington is one of our FARE student ambassadors and she has been incredible to work with.

Look at all these women! Women belong in every room where decisions are being made. ? And at FARE, we are committed to more than just talk–we’re driving real change for women in finance to make SURE they’re in every room. When women rise, finance gets stronger. From mentorship to leadership development, we’re working to ensure that women in finance have the resources, representation, and support they need to succeed. Nicole Ridley Morgan Glasser, M.A. #WomenInFinance #WomenInWealth #FAREFoward #WomensHistoryMonth #FARE

So excited that Jasmine Pierce has this opportunity! The BISA Annual Conference is an incredible event!