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.
Madison Coder (she/her), OIP 2020
Council Role: Co-President
Alma Mater: University of Arizona ‘22
Current Role: Associate, J.P. Morgan
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI alumni moment was attending the Alumni Conference this year. I was able to meet so many alumni who I now consider close friends.
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!
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!)
Anna Zhou (she/her), SIP 2018
Council Role: Regional Rep Boston
Alma Mater: Yale University ‘20
Work Experience: Investment Specialist, Wellington Management
Most Memorable GWI Moment: So hard to choose my most memorable GWI moment - my favorite aspect of the GWI community has been forming real lifelong friendships with girls from my cohort and those in the Boston area; I'm beyond grateful for the memories we've shared and the adventures to come!
Isabella Vasko (she/her), SIP 2020
Council Role: Regional Rep Chicago
Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame ‘22
Work Experience: Senior Investment Analyst, PGIM, Inc.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: The most memorable moment this past year was attending the Chicago alumni event at Lincoln Park Zoo. I met multiple girls who I now consider close friends that are a source of support in my professional and personal life.
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
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.
Joyce Li (she/her), OIP 2019
Council Role: Regional Rep LA
Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania ‘21
Work Experience: Analyst, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Most Memorable GWI Moment: Most memorable GWI moment: working with GWI alumni every day! In my role at Oaktree, I work closely with Anniqa Karmali, a GWI alum who first shared the opportunity with me and has been a great mentor and friend from day one. In addition, this past summer working with our GWI interns was amazing, as I was able to contribute directly to the development of our scholars and alumni and saw firsthand how the community has grown.
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.
Lorraine Jiang (she/her), SIP 2019
Council Role: Regional Rep NYC
Alma Mater: Columbia University ‘21
Work Experience: Private Equity Associate, New Mountain Capital
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable GWI moment is when we first entered Penn Campus and listened to Seema's speech about her background, why she founded GWI, and what she hopes to accomplish. It was a truly awe-inspiring moment and I proceeded to have the best two months that were pivotal to my career and made some amazing life-long friends along the way.
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.
Macy Desmarais (she/her), OIP 2021
Council Role: Regional Rep Seattle
Alma Mater: University of Washington ‘23
Work Experience: Senior Financial Analyst, Starbucks
Most Memorable GWI Moment: Getting the opportunity to introduce a session at the 2024 Alumni Conference in New York City! The amount of support I received after doing so really solidified my affinity to GWI and how incredible the staff and alumni community can be when you lean in.
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, L2 Point
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.
Audrey Dilgarde (she/her), SIP 2020
Council Role: 2020 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: Harvard College ‘22
Work Experience: Master’s student at the University of San Diego
Most Memorable GWI Moment: My most memorable Girls Who Invest experience was the 2025 Investor Leadership Program, where I found a strong sense of community and affirmation among talented peers. It brought our group together and sparked lasting connections. This experience clarified my professional direction and reinforced my commitment to advancing female leadership in asset management.
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 favorite GWI moment was getting to meet other GWI Scholars in-person for the first time when I moved to Seattle and becoming friends with them.
Flavia Carcani (she/her), SIP 2022
Council Role: 2022 Cohort Leader
Alma Mater: New York University ‘24
Work Experience: Investment Analyst, PGIM, Inc.
Most Memorable GWI Moment:My most memorable GWI moment was when a few of us missed the bus back from NYC and had to scramble to catch a train to Philly. Despite the multiple transfers and the lengthy trip, it turned into a really unforgettable adventure.
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: 2024 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).