Meet Yael Hernandez, 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 Yael Hernandez 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?
I was raised by Cuban immigrants in South Miami, and from an early age, I watched my parents struggle to get back on their feet after the financial crisis. At the same time, I had to leave home at 12 to become my grandmother’s primary caretaker; these two events put a lot of responsibilities on my shoulders at an early age. By 15, I was officially in the workforce, balancing three jobs while leading 13 organizations in high school. That level of responsibility eventually shaped the way I see myself. I realized that I genuinely thrive in high-pressure environments where I’m constantly learning and being challenged.
That mindset initially led me to pursue political science on a pre-law track at FSU. I quickly realized I had a fascination with M&A law from the business aspect rather than the legal side. I shifted my focus to finance, where I discovered a passion for how markets influence decisions, how companies grow, and how companies are shaped.
This switch happened in September of 2024, and in October, I met Ingrid McLean who was the first FSU student to attend the GWI Summer Intensive Program (SIP). She talked to me about GWI with such pride and confidence: how transformative it was, how supported she felt, and how it helped her navigate an industry I was just beginning to discover at the time. That same night, I applied, and I was incredibly grateful to have been part of a life-changing experience.
How does it feel to be a recipient of the Kamla R. Hingorani Fellowship, and how do you see yourself in Kamla’s legacy?
Receiving the Kamla R. Hingorani Fellowship is one of the greatest honors of my life. At the GWI Gala, I had the privilege of sitting with Seema Hingorani’s family, and they shared how deeply intentional GWI is about choosing a recipient who reflects their mother’s values. They talked about how confidence, determination, and a belief in success were spoken into them from a very early age, and hearing that made me think of my own parents, Cuban immigrants who sacrificed everything so their children could have opportunities they never had.
Kamla’s story and legacy mirror the values I was raised with: perseverance, purpose, and lifting others as you climb. To be recognized under her name is incredibly meaningful because it feels like a bridge between where my family started and where I hope to go.
Receiving this fellowship and having the mentorship of Seema and the entire GWI community reminds me of the responsibility I carry. It pushes me to live with intention, to honor the people who came before me, and to become someone who opens doors for the next generation the way others have done for me.
GWI Alumni often talk about the importance of “paying it forward.” What does that phrase mean to you?
For me, paying it forward means making sure I’m not the last person from my background to enter this industry. I didn’t grow up with anyone who could guide me through finance or help me understand what opportunities even existed. When I switched into this field, I often felt behind and unsure of where I fit in.
Everything I’ve achieved so far has been the result of asking for help, taking risks, and finding people and organizations who believed in me, even when I was still learning to believe in myself. Organizations like GWI helped me learn, build confidence, and feel like I belonged in a space I had never been exposed to before.
How has the Girls Who Invest community supported your professional development?
The Girls Who Invest community has supported my professional development in every way imaginable. Having the opportunity to learn from Wharton business professors at such a young age, and tuition-free, is something I could never have accessed on my own. GWI made it possible for me to gain the kind of education and industry exposure that truly changes trajectories. But the support went far beyond technical skills. GWI focused just as much on helping us grow into confident, well-rounded professionals. They taught us how to navigate professional spaces, how to hold conversations at industry events, and how to build relationships in a field where those connections matter.
How do you stay connected with other GWI Alumni, and how do you value those relationships?
On my first day of GWI SIP, I felt the same nerves I had on the first day of school as a kid, wondering if I’d be able to connect with such high-achieving, intelligent women, and whether I’d find my place among them. What I walked away with was so much more than I ever expected: lifelong friends, mentors, and a community that truly feels like family.
Even now, our class stays incredibly connected. We celebrate each other’s career milestones, cheer each other on through recruiting, and reach out when we need advice or just want to catch up. Many of us still talk monthly; sometimes it’s career guidance, sometimes it’s just checking in on life. I’ve gained over 200 people I know I can depend on in different situations, whether I’m navigating a new opportunity or facing a challenge.
The relationships I built at GWI are invaluable. They’ve become the kind of friendships and professional connections I never imagined having at this stage in my life, people who genuinely want to see each other win and who continue to show up long after the summer ends.
Left to right: Hamdi Ali (2025 Kamla R. Hingorani Fellow), Yael Hernandez (2025 Kamla R. Hingorani Fellow), and Grace Zhang (2024 Kamla R. Hingorani Fellow)
What is one key lesson you learned from your GWI experience, and how will you apply that as you move forward in your career?
The biggest lesson I learned from my GWI experience was the importance of being fully present and showing that presence in every room I’m in. GWI taught me that it’s not enough to simply show up; you have to actively listen, absorb what’s being shared, and demonstrate that you’re engaged and contributing.
Whether it was through classroom discussions, conversations with industry leaders, or even during industry events, I learned how much it matters to be intentional, thoughtful, and visible. That sense of presence builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and opens doors.
As I move forward in my career, I plan to carry that with me, to not just take up space, but to make that space meaningful by being attentive, prepared, and genuinely engaged in every opportunity I’m given.
What advice would you give to current Scholars or individuals considering applying to Girls Who Invest?
My biggest advice is to take the time to really understand what you’re applying for and think about your goals. GWI brings together people from completely different backgrounds, majors, and skill levels, and those different perspectives are what make each class stronger. The one thing we all had in common was the way we supported each other and showed up not just as students, but as people.
So in your application, let your character stand out above everything else. Be honest about your story, your motivations, and why this opportunity matters to you. You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out. And once you’re in the program, lean on your class and be open to the experience. GWI gives back exactly what you put into it.
What would you want current Scholars and future program participants to know about the legacy they're becoming part of?
I want current Scholars and future participants to understand that they’re stepping into a legacy built on courage, generosity, and the belief that women belong in every part of the investment world. GWI isn’t just a summer program; it’s a community of people who are actively redefining what access, representation, and opportunity look like in finance.
You’re becoming part of a lineage of women who lift each other up, who take risks, and who create space not only for themselves but for those who come after them. And with that comes both privilege and responsibility to carry yourself with intention, to support those around you, and to honor the people who made it possible for you to be here.
This legacy is bigger than any one of us, but each of us adds something to it. Your presence, your story, and your growth all contribute to the future of GWI and to the future of the industry.