Meet Hamdi Ali, 2025 Kamla R. Hingorani Fellow

The Kamla R. Hingorani Fellowship honors the memory of Kamla R. Hingorani, mother of Girls Who Invest Founder and Board Chair Seema R. Hingorani. A fearless and remarkable first-generation immigrant, Kamla R. Hingorani embodied integrity and community—values that form the foundation of GWI's mission and inspire the individuals in our community who are forging new paths in the investment management industry. We are thrilled to announce Hamdi Ali as a 2025 Kamla R. Hingorani Fellow.

Can you tell us more about your story and what led you to the GWI class of 2025?

Being a woman in finance is already challenging, and being a first-generation woman of color makes the industry feel even smaller. That’s why, when I first came across a Girls Who Invest post on LinkedIn, something clicked for me immediately. I had never seen a community in finance that looked like me, supported women the way GWI does, or openly talked about breaking barriers instead of just surviving them. 

A few weeks later, I drove four hours from Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin, just to attend an information session hosted by GWI Alumni. The entire ride there, I kept wondering if the program was really as life-changing as people said. I simply had to see it for myself. When I arrived, the Alumni talked endlessly about career development, technical training, and the confidence they gained, but the thing they emphasized most was the community. They described a group of women who genuinely look out for each other, share opportunities, and understand the unique challenges we face in this industry.

Sitting in that room, I knew instantly that GWI wasn’t just a program; it was a place where I would belong, grow, and finally feel supported in a field that often feels isolating.

GWI Alumni often talk about the importance of “paying it forward.” What does that phrase mean to you?

To me, “paying it forward” means not keeping the opportunities I’ve been given to myself. When someone reaches out asking about GWI, I always respond to every LinkedIn DM, every question, even if it’s late at night. I know exactly how stressful the application process feels, so if someone needs advice, I’m more than willing to hop on a Zoom call, talk through their worries, or share what helped me succeed.

It also means being present on my campus. As a GWI Campus Ambassador, I want to be the person who first-years can come to when they’re confused about finance or don’t think they belong in the industry. I want to help more women, especially women of color and first-gen students, see that there’s space for them in finance and that GWI can be a life-changing community.

How does receiving the Kamla R. Hingorani Fellowship impact your future, and how has being part of GWI more broadly changed your perspective on your future goals?

Receiving the Kamla R. Hingorani Fellowship has had a huge impact on how I think about my future. It’s more than just financial support; it feels like someone is recognizing the work I’ve done and trusting me to carry forward a legacy built on breaking barriers. Kamla fought for representation and equal access, and having her name tied to my journey makes me want to push myself even more. After receiving this fellowship, I honestly felt like I could dream bigger and brighter. It made me rethink what’s possible for someone with my background and gave me the confidence to aim higher in my career goals. Being part of GWI has also shifted my entire perspective on my future in finance. Before GWI, the industry felt intimidating and, at times, isolating as a first-gen woman of color. But the GWI community showed me there is a real space and a real need for women like me. The mentorship, the technical training, and the support system made me more sure of where I’m headed. Now, I’m not just trying to break into investment management; I’m thinking about how I can lead, give back, and open doors for the next generation of women in finance.

How has the Girls Who Invest community supported your professional development?

The Girls Who Invest community has supported my professional development in ways that have been genuinely life-changing. As a student on financial aid, the fact that GWI makes the program virtually free removed a huge barrier for me. I didn’t have to worry about program fees, materials, or choosing between working extra hours and investing in my future. That financial support alone allowed me to fully participate and take advantage of every opportunity GWI offered.

How do you stay connected with other GWI Alumni, and how do you value those relationships?

I stay connected with GWI Alumni by participating in every opportunity the community offers. Whenever there are regional meetups or virtual events, I make the effort to show up, because staying connected matters to me. Outside of that, I’m in constant contact with my GWI friends. We text all the time, check in on each other, and set up mock interview sessions when recruiting gets intense. We don’t let our busy lives get in the way; we make the time because we know how valuable this community is.

I value these relationships so much because of everything we went through together. We spent a month living on UPenn’s campus, adjusting to a completely new city, learning technical finance concepts, and juggling our internships. Some of my favorite memories are the small moments, like baking cookies in our dorm after finishing our final presentations. Those shared experiences created a bond that feels like family, and that’s what keeps us connected.

What is one key lesson you learned from your GWI experience, and how will you apply that as you move forward in your career?

One key lesson from my GWI experience that I’ll carry forever came from our BRAVE training: “Don’t let “no” stop you; push past it.” I learned that so many things in life won’t happen on the first try, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t meant for you. A “no” today can easily become a “yes” tomorrow. This mindset has shaped my entire journey. Every opportunity I have now mostly exists because I stayed persistent, followed up, and kept trying even when it felt uncomfortable. 

What is one key lesson you learned from your GWI experience, and how will you apply that as you move forward in your career?

One key lesson from my GWI experience that I’ll carry forever came from our BRAVE training: “Don’t let “no” stop you; push past it.” I learned that so many things in life won’t happen on the first try, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t meant for you. A “no” today can easily become a “yes” tomorrow. This mindset has shaped my entire journey. Every opportunity I have now mostly exists because I stayed persistent, followed up, and kept trying even when it felt uncomfortable. 

What advice would you give to current Scholars or individuals considering applying to Girls Who Invest?

The advice I’d give to current Scholars or anyone considering GWI is this: don’t try to “polish” yourself into who you think finance wants. Bring the real you. The biggest mistake I almost made was dimming my personality because I thought everyone in finance had to act a certain way. But the people who thrive in GWI are the ones who show up with their full story, their quirks, their culture, their questions, and their messy potential.

Also, use every resource loudly. The moment you stop tiptoeing and start participating boldly, the program transforms your life.

What would you want current Scholars and future program participants to know about the legacy they're becoming part of?

What I want future Scholars to know is that the GWI legacy isn’t just about finance, it's about rewriting what opportunity looks like for women who were never expected to end up here. When I joined GWI, I realized quickly that this wasn’t a program built by people who had everything handed to them. This legacy was created by women who were told “no,” who felt out of place, who questioned whether they belonged, and still showed up anyway.