As a Business Management major with a Finance specialization — and a 3.98 GPA — Alexandra Hanley is no stranger to hard work. At Stony Brook University, she’s a teaching assistant for Business Communications, a Forté Campus Ambassador, and a leader in Women in Business. She’s built a strong academic and leadership foundation, but like many women entering a male‑dominated field, she sometimes questioned whether she belonged in the rooms she aspired to enter.
The Fast Track to Finance Conference changed that.
During the panel discussions — especially the Investment Banking session — Alexandra heard something she had never heard so clearly before: half the job is being proactive and showing genuine curiosity to learn. The message resonated deeply with her. It reframed finance not as a field reserved for finance majors, but as one where preparation, curiosity, and authenticity matter just as much as technical skill.
But the most transformative moment came from a theme echoed across multiple speakers:
Women deserve to take up space.
“We should not be afraid to take up space,” Alexandra shared. “As women, we oftentimes experience imposter syndrome when we’re the only female in the room, but we deserve to be there just as much as our counterparts.”
For Alexandra — someone who teaches interviewing skills, mentors peers, and advocates for women in business — this message wasn’t just inspiring. It was grounding. It validated the leadership she already demonstrates on campus and gave her the confidence to carry that presence into professional settings.
The conference also sharpened her understanding of what recruiters look for. Hearing directly from professionals helped her see the importance of authenticity, energy, and communication — qualities she practices daily as a teaching assistant and campus ambassador.
As women, we oftentimes experience imposter syndrome when we’re the only female in the room, but we deserve to be there just as much as our counterparts.”
Professionally, the experience gave her a clearer sense of how to navigate early career opportunities. Personally, it helped her shed the quiet doubts that often accompany ambitious women entering competitive fields.
Today, Alexandra approaches her future in finance with a stronger sense of belonging and a deeper belief in her ability to lead. She left the conference not just informed, but transformed — ready to step confidently into spaces where her voice, perspective, and leadership are needed.
Her story shows how Forté’s programs equip students with the skills, support, and industry insight that help them grow — and why Forté corporate members continue to invest in creating these moments of impact.
