Our Story
Women on Wall Street (WOW) was founded in the summer of 2023 when Abigail Copeland, frustrated by the lack of spaces for women interested in finance at UC Berkeley, decided to take action. Chloe Cullen, a senior at Berkeley Haas, shared similar concerns — particularly the absence of genuine mentorship within the university’s finance network. Together with a team of like-minded peers, they launched WOW at Berkeley in August 2023 to build a community for ambitious, high-achieving women pursuing careers in finance.
Women on Wall Street at Berkeley quickly became a transformative force on campus, reshaping how undergraduate women viewed their potential in the finance industry. In a short time, it grew into Berkeley’s largest finance-focused student organization, with over 220 members. The impact was clear: members felt empowered, inspired by new possibilities, and supported in navigating competitive recruiting — many securing prestigious internships and full-time offers.
What we saw at Berkeley wasn’t unique. Across campuses worldwide, we heard the same story: brilliant women stepping away from finance before they even begin. Why? Because their first encounters — often through student finance organizations — can shape their perception of the industry for life. The unfortunate reality is that thousands of talented women opt out of finance entirely due to exclusionary or discouraging experiences within their college finance communities.
Once we clearly identified the problem, we knew Women on Wall Street had the potential to drive change on a systemic level. That’s why we’re expanding WOW worldwide — to ensure that every undergraduate woman interested in finance has access to a supportive, empowering community where they can explore opportunities and thrive in the financial services industry.
Women on Wall Street at Berkeley quickly became a transformative force on campus, reshaping how undergraduate women viewed their potential in the finance industry. In a short time, it grew into Berkeley’s largest finance-focused student organization, with over 220 members. The impact was clear: members felt empowered, inspired by new possibilities, and supported in navigating competitive recruiting — many securing prestigious internships and full-time offers.
What we saw at Berkeley wasn’t unique. Across campuses worldwide, we heard the same story: brilliant women stepping away from finance before they even begin. Why? Because their first encounters — often through student finance organizations — can shape their perception of the industry for life. The unfortunate reality is that thousands of talented women opt out of finance entirely due to exclusionary or discouraging experiences within their college finance communities.
Once we clearly identified the problem, we knew Women on Wall Street had the potential to drive change on a systemic level. That’s why we’re expanding WOW worldwide — to ensure that every undergraduate woman interested in finance has access to a supportive, empowering community where they can explore opportunities and thrive in the financial services industry.
Our Mission
WOW was intentionally designed to meet the demands of UC Berkeley’s fast-paced, ultra-competitive campus culture — a community of over 45,000 students. But no matter your campus size or location, WOW is committed to building an inclusive, supportive network where members can explore and pursue careers in financial services. By prioritizing inclusivity, diversity, and mentorship, we’ve built a model that empowers members with the skills, knowledge, and connections to thrive — whether on Wall Street or in any path they choose. Our ultimate mission is to transform how young women experience and envision careers in finance, shaping a more equitable culture on college campuses and across the industry.
Women on Wall Street Value Proposition
Finance is an increasingly popular career choice but remains notoriously difficult to break into. For women and others lacking access to key resources and information, the challenge grows even greater. Even after entering the industry, the demanding workload and long hours can make success tough without genuine passion or a supportive community. Our founders have personally navigated these challenges and gained firsthand industry experience. United by a deep passion for finance, we are committed to supporting the next generation of women in the field.
We believe that true excellence is only possible through inclusivity. That’s why we welcome all members and have built a network and resource base that is unmatched in its ability to empower and uplift.
We believe that true excellence is only possible through inclusivity. That’s why we welcome all members and have built a network and resource base that is unmatched in its ability to empower and uplift.
Core Values
Our founders have developed a rigorous set of beliefs and values that drive our culture, mission, and leadership:
Women supporting other women
• Members do not compete with each other, and an individual's success is the group's success.
Exec is your equal
• Our leadership is here to serve and earn the respect of members, not the other way around.
Total Transparency
• No opportunities or resources are withheld in an effort to combat information asymmetry.
Intrinsically motivated
• Our community is full of self-starters who can contribute to and attend events as they please.
All are welcome, and welcome for life
• No matter where members are located, or are in their careers, they will be celebrated and supported.
Coast-to-coast contact
• We believe having a network equally strong on both coasts is vital.
We all have something to learn and teach
• Seniority is just a word. Its newcomers to the industry and WOW who drive fresh perspectives and change.
No matter your goals, we've got your back
• Goals, career placements, and markets are fluid; finance or not, we have your back.
Women on Wall Street welcomes "all who experience life through the lens of woman in body, spirit, identity - past, present, future, and fluid." Special thanks to the UC Berkeley Gender Equity Resource Center for this definition.
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