The Alzenia Project: Celebrating Financial Literacy Month

In celebration of Financial Literacy Month, we're proud to feature one of our grantees, Rock The Street, Wall Street , an inspiring nonprofit that champions the inclusion of financial literacy in STEM education for diverse high school girls. This issue features an in-depth Q&A with Ashley Leftwich , the Chief Operating Officer at RTSWS. With a foundation in mathematics and more than five years collaborating with financial leaders on student engagement, scaling RTSWS’ footprint as well as developing its financial and investment curriculum, Ashley and her team have been instrumental in reaching and empowering young women across 25+ cities in the US, UK, and Canada.?

1. Let’s talk about Financial and Investment Literacy. Why is this so critically important?

Ashley Leftwich:?Thank you for sharing your platform with us. Yes, financial literacy is crucial, particularly in addressing the gender gap that emerges in high school and continues into adulthood. Research shows that girls perform equally to boys in math during their early school years in regions like the US, UK, and Canada. Their performance?wanes?in high school, sometimes as early?or earlier than?9 years old, due to factors such as societal biases and a lack of female role models in STEM fields. At RTSWS, we focus on revitalizing girls’ enthusiasm for math and finance at a pivotal time when they are making critical decisions about their financial independence, college selections, and future careers.

To date, we've brought this knowledge and awareness to over 6,000 young women, many of whom come from backgrounds lacking these resources. Our curriculum, which I have had the privilege to help develop, equips these students with the critical skills to?build their wealth through budgeting and discovering how their money can work for them. We're proud that our alumnae pursue finance and economics degrees at 5x the national rate for female university students. Our Founder Maura Cunningham often highlights that STEM careers can lift a family up?in one generation, and that’s an inspiring path to forge with these talented students.

2. What motivated you to focus on this cause at RTSWS?

Ashley Leftwich:?Having worked in a Fortune 100 firm earlier in my career, my motivation stems from a combination of personal experience and the stark realities many of us have observed. I saw the disparity in representation and opportunities?driving me?to use my background in mathematics and this platform at RTSWS to make a real impact. Over the past five years, I've collaborated with financial leaders to tailor programming that features financial & investment literacy and opens doors to careers in finance. Our aim is to level the playing field and provide these talented young women the tools for success.

3. How do you and your team stay motivated in this challenging work?

Ashley Leftwich:?Our motivation is consistently fueled by the tangible outcomes we see. Knowing that 1,000 of our students are on the verge of entering the workforce, equipped with the knowledge and confidence gained through RTSWS, is incredibly rewarding. Our Alumnae & Career Center, which we've recently relaunched, plays a vital role in supporting our students as they navigate university and course selection, internships, and early career roles, ensuring they are supported on their journeys.

By boosting girls' interest in math and finance through our programs, we're helping to narrow both the gender and racial wage and wealth gaps. It's also about providing access to the industry for many of these young women.

4. How do you define success in your programs?

Ashley Leftwich:?Success in our programs is multifaceted. It's not just about the numbers—we are driven by data, metrics and personal testimonials. It’s seeing our students thrive in fields where they have so often been underrepresented. It's in the feedback we receive about how our curriculum and mentorship have influenced their career choices and helped them secure meaningful roles in finance. Our newly implemented career quiz also helps girls explore various opportunities within the financial sector, further broadening their career decision-making processes.?Importantly,?by building knowledgeable cohorts with access, even incrementally, we see a multiplier effect in families, neighborhoods, and communities.

5. As we reflect on Financial Literacy Month, what final thoughts would you like to leave with our readers?

Ashley Leftwich:?The need for interventions to boost girls’ interest in math and science is urgent, and everyone has a role to play—schools, financial firms, businesses, families, and organizations like ours.?The support from the Alzenia Project and our broader network has been invaluable in this journey, and we're excited about the future we're helping to build. By investing in programs that empower young women through education and financial inclusion, we’re changing lives as we expand the talent pipeline.?

Closing ThoughtsAshley's passion and dedication, along with her team's commitment at Rock The Street Wall Street, are inspiring examples of how targeted programs can have a profound impact on individuals and communities. As we celebrate Financial Literacy Month, let's commit to extending these opportunities to more young women, empowering them to lead and innovate in the financial world. Thank you for your continued support and interest in these crucial endeavors. Together, we can make a lasting difference.