Alumni Council
Meet Our Alumni Council
Our Alumni Council consists of incredible Alumni of our GWI Online Intensive and Summer Intensive programs. They span different cohorts and universities and have interned/worked for various investment management firms. The Alumni Council serves as a voice for the Alumni community while advising GWI staff on a variety of topics, including upcoming events, recruiting, and regional and Alumni-wide community building.
Prianca Patel (she/her), OIP 2021
Council Role: Co-President
Alma Mater: University of St Andrews ‘23
Current Role: Investment Management Analyst, Morgan Stanley
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was speaking on a panel at the GWI OIP Professional Development Day. I had the opportunity to discuss my experience joining the buy side and offer advice on making the most of summer internships. As an OIP alumna, it was a full circle moment for me, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to guide and support our incoming scholars in their endeavors and further strengthen our GWI community. I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a strong and inspiring group of women through GWI!
Isabella Vasko (she/her), SIP 2020
Council Role: Co-President
Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame ‘22
Work Experience: Senior Investment Analyst, PGIM, Inc.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: I go on an annual trip with another GWI alum who I was randomly assigned to work with on our Etsy capstone project for SIP 2020. So far the most memorable trip has been cliff jumping in Santorini!
Simmi Shahani (she/her), SIP 2018
Council Role: Advisory Board Representative
Alma Mater: New York University
Work Experience: Associate Research Analyst, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was teaching an indoor cycling class to a group of GWI alumni! It was so fulfilling to connect with other amazing women had completed the program. I met alumni across cohort years and was reminded of how quickly GWI has grown and how strong the community is. I’m so excited to continue watching the GWI network grow and succeed in years to come!
Elizabeth Qian-Wang (she/her), SIP 2019
Council Role: Regional Rep Boston
Alma Mater: Yale University ‘21
Work Experience: Private Equity Associate, Advent International, L.P.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment is during my GWI summer, a group of us began running together along the river in Philly. As we transitioned to our full-time jobs in NYC, we continued our runs, and over the years, we've grown into lifelong friends (even training for and completing a half-marathon together!)
Kelby Weden (she/her), OIP 2020
Council Role: Regional Rep Boston
Alma Mater: Villanova University "‘22
Work Experience: Investment Associate, Beth Israel Lahey Health Investment Office
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was the 2024 Alumni Conference. I was fortunate to sit alongside several other Boston-based alumni and spend the day navigating the conference’s various activities with them. Most importantly, after returning to Boston, those initial interactions grew into lasting friendships with people who are now some of my closest friends. Those unexpected experiences are what I have valued most about GWI, and they make me excited about the opportunity to help create similar experiences for other GWI members.
Kaylynn Xia (she/her), SIP 2022
Council Role: Regional Rep Chicago
Alma Mater: Middlebury College ‘24
Work Experience: Equity Research Associate, Palo Duro Investment Partners, LP
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was attending the GWI summer outing at the Cubs Game. It was so great to see so many GWI alumni there and to be able to connect with each one of them and build friendships.
Taylor Chan (she/her), OIP 2020
Council Role: Regional Rep DC
Alma Mater: Johns Hopkins ‘22
Work Experience: High Yield Associate Analyst, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was getting to go to the Nationals' vs. Padres game with GWI Alums in the DC/Baltimore area (and spontaneously extending our time together over ice cream and boba tea from Union Market in honor of National Ice Cream Day!)
Cire Ross (she/her), SIP 2025
Council Role: Regional Rep DC
Alma Mater: Howard University ‘27
Work Experience: Asset Allocator Intern, The Rockefeller University
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment is definitely the friends I made during the program. Being at Wharton in classes for eight hours straight, going through BRAVE training, and attending panels brought us closer together. We became vulnerable with each other, picked each other up when we fell, and filled in for each other where we weren’t the strongest. Something I’ll never forget is the BRAVE training. I never imagined yelling my elevator pitch at 10x speed, bouncing around, and high-fiving the other scholars. That moment is burned into my brain, partly because of how uncomfortably awkward it was, and partly because, well, it’s just weird to yell your elevator pitch to people. But there was a method to GWI’s madness. What GWI tries to instill in us is unshakable confidence. It’s not something that comes easily, but you leave the program feeling like you can conquer the finance world. You also know that the organization believes in you, gives you access to alumni and resources to help you out, and makes sure you’re never alone in the industry.
Holly Stiebel (she/her), SIP 2024
Council Role: Regional Rep LA
Alma Mater: University of Southern California ‘26
Work Experience: Fixed Income Analyst, The TCW Group, Inc.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: One of my most memorable GWI moments was while I was helping out as a TA for SIP. On one of our days off, another TA (shoutout Kat Dillon) and I decided to head to Center City for a little shopping. When we left, the weather was beautiful and the sky was crystal clear. By the time we were halfway to the bus stop, the sky had turned dark and it started pouring rain. We were completely soaked by the time we got on the bus, but somehow still made it to Nordstrom Rack on time. I'm pretty sure the employees didn't appreciate us tracking rainwater throughout the store. It's a memory that still makes me laugh whenever I think about our time as TA’s.
Kate Byrne-Slepicka (she/her), SIP 2018
Council Role: Regional Rep LA
Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania ‘20
Work Experience: Fundamental Research Analyst, Causeway Capital Management LLC
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment is living in the Harnwell College house during SIP. We were all on a couple of adjacent floors and there was such camaraderie.
Sam Chabot (she/her), SIP 2021
Council Role: Regional Rep San Francisco
Alma Mater: Johns Hopkins University ‘23
Work Experience: Associate, Vector Capital
Most Memorable GWI Moment: One of my favorite moments during GWI was hearing Seema talk about starting GWI. It got me very excited for the summer ahead and the community I was joining. The two months that followed were such a great experience; I learned a lot, grew professionally, and made some really great friends along the way.
Nadine Akkawi (she/her), SIP 2021
Council Role: Regional Rep San Francisco
Alma Mater: Northwestern University ‘23
Work Experience: Private Equity Associate, TPG
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was finally meeting members of my cohort in person during my junior summer in New York after our virtual program. So many of those girls are still my close friends today.
Annika Tonn (she/her), OIP 2021
Council Role: Regional Rep NYC
Alma Mater: University of California, Los Angeles ‘23
Work Experience: Investment Banking Associate, Goldman Sachs
Most Memorable GWI Moment: Something I shared with the 2025 cohort during the GWI Multi-Asset Panel at Bloomberg, which I wholeheartedly believe—and which continues to prove true every single day: completing the SIP or OIP is not the end of your GWI experience… it’s the beginning! Joining the GWI Steering Committee at GS this year has also already proven to be another highlight. I am truly honored to be part of this inspiring community of women and look forward to seeing all that we accomplish both personally and professionally.
Kate Thayer (she/her), OIP 2020
Council Role: Regional Rep NYC
Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania ‘22
Work Experience: Associate, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was attending the Investor Leadership Program on campus. I loved hearing my fellow GWI alumni share their career experiences, and I also had the chance to make some amazing new friends!
Rui Li (she/her), SIP 2016
Council Role: Regional Rep NYC
Alma Mater: Columbia University ‘18
Work Experience: Analyst, Columbia Investment Company
Most Memorable GWI Moment: For the most memorated moment, I would choose the time when the inaugural class all went together to NYSE for the closing bell. To me it marked the beginning of my investment career, and although none of us knew how wonderful a journey GWI would be in the 10 years ahead, the energy of being part of something special was palpable.
Madison Tyler (she/her), SIP 2022
Council Role: Regional Rep Philadelphia
Alma Mater: Howard University ‘24
Work Experience: Analyst, Xponance
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was being able to mentor some incredible scholars this year, one of them who worked at my firm. Mentorship is everything to me, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the women who mentored me so paying that forward will always be one of my top priorities.
Efua Ewusie (she/her), OIP 2025
Council Role: Regional Rep Seattle
Alma Mater: The College of Wooster ‘27
Work Experience: Student, Seattle Pacific University
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was my first event - a SoulCycle class with fellow alums. I'd never cycled before, and by the halfway point I genuinely wasn't sure I could finish, but the women around me kept checking in and cheering me on until I did. Afterward we passed by Sweetgreen and just talked, not the polished, resume-ready version of ourselves, but honestly, about the parts of the finance industry that feel hard and uncertain. Somehow, that made everyone feel lighter and connect more deeply. What really stuck with me from that event is that it was a group of ambitious women; nobody pretending to have it all figured out, encouraging each other through the hard parts, and it felt just as natural as celebrating the wins. It truly was an amazing experience, and it has remained rewarding to continue engaging more in the GWI community.
Kirsten Cabacungan (she/her), SIP 2016
Council Role: 2016 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: Barnard College ‘18
Work Experience: Vice President, Investment Strategist, Chief Investment Office Portfolio Strategy, Merrill, A Bank of America Company
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI-related moment was meeting the women from my summer program! Many of them remain some of my closest friends today.
Hannah Lass (she/her), SIP 2017
Council Role: 2017 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: University of Virginia ‘19
Work Experience: Private Equity Senior Associate, Level Equity
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was ringing the NASDAQ bell with GWI!
Amanda Wall (she/her), SIP 2018
Council Role: 2018 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame ‘20
Work Experience: Allocator, Liberty Mutual Investments
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment is walking the length of Manhattan with a longtime GWI friend.
Danielle Bragale (she/her), SIP 2019
Council Role: 2019 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: James Madison University ‘21
Work Experience: Investor, New Catalyst Strategic Partners
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment has been working on real transactions with friends I met through the program. It feels surreal that the same people I once studied with are now my colleagues and closest friends, and I’m so grateful to be growing together through this community.
Belinda Li (she/her), SIP 2020
Council Role: 2020 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: New York University ‘22
Work Experience: Investment Analyst, Ardinall Investment Management
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was my first Alumni conference. It was amazing to finally meet my fellow Alumni in person, and many remain my closest friends today.
Candice Lee (she/her), OIP 2021
Council Role: 2021 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: University of California, Berkeley ‘23
Work Experience: Asset Management Analyst, Goldman Sachs
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was moderating an early career panel with senior female leaders at my firm during the Investor Circle Meeting. It was a great reminder that GWI isn’t just a community I’m part of outside of work, but one that I can bring into my career through the relationships I build and the experiences I can share with others.
Kate Lengel (she/her), OIP 2022
Council Role: 2022 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: Kenyon College ‘24
Work Experience: Senior Analyst, Goldman Sachs
Most Memorable GWI Moment: Additionally, sharing my memorable GWI moment: My most memorable GWI moment has been attending the alumni conferences in NYC. Getting to connect with fellow scholars while also hearing from female role models in the industry has really inspired and empowered me in my early career.
Saumya Singh (she/her), SIP 2023
Council Role: 2023 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: New York University ‘25
Work Experience: Investment Rotational Analyst, Invesco Ltd.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was attending the 10 year anniversary alumni conference. The energy was amazing and we got to hear from so many industry leaders, and I reconnected with other alumni that I haven’t seen in so long!
Sophie Scherer (she/her), SIP 2024
Council Role: 2024 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: North Carolina State University ‘26
Work Experience: Trading Fundamental Analyst Intern, Citadel Securities
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was eating breakfast with everyone at Pret before classes during the Summer Intensive Program at Wharton. Over the conversations we shared each morning, I built close relationships with girls whom I know will remain some of my closest lifelong friends.
Rachel Wang (she/her), SIP 2025
Council Role: 2025 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania ‘27
Work Experience: Fixed Income Investment Analyst, Xponance
Most Memorable GWI Moment: One of my most memorable GWI moments was attending lunch with the GWI Board. It felt surreal to sit at a table with some of my biggest role models in the investment industry and freely exchange ideas on future GWI initiatives. I was inspired by the personal stories of fellow scholars, captivated by highlights from GWI's past ten years, and thrilled to meet Tina, the CEO of my internship placement (Xponance).
Anna Geraghty (she/her), OIP 2026
Council Role: 2025 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: College of the Holy Cross ‘28
Work Experience: Incoming 2027 Summer Analyst, J.P. Morgan
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment was attending the Queen’s Classic event in July when Gotham FC won against Washington Spirit. It was a great time getting to meet GWI alumni from other cohorts while also enjoying the game.