What does it really take to build a meaningful career when you don’t have it all figured out?

In this conversation, Cynthia Plouché, Founder & CEO of The Alzenia Project, joins Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street, for an honest discussion about navigating career uncertainty, leadership, and purpose. Cynthia shares her journey from being one of fewer than 40 Black women in her Radcliffe class to leading multi-billion-dollar investment portfolios and serving on corporate boards.

Together, Cynthia and Ashley explore what belonging really means, how mentorship often shows up in unexpected ways, and why taking on unglamorous opportunities and building relationships can matter just as much as technical skills.

Designed with students and early-career professionals in mind, this interview offers practical insight into finding your voice, embracing uncertainty, and building a career rooted in purpose and impact.

Key themes:

* Belonging and identity

* Mentorship that happens organically

* Career growth through unexpected opportunities

* Leadership without having a perfect plan

Whether you’re exploring your path or rethinking your next step, this conversation offers perspective, reassurance, and practical wisdom.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Jelena Sokolova, Senior Equity Analyst, Consumer Sector at Morningstar, based in London.

Jelena shares insights into how she analyzes global market trends, mentors emerging analysts, and navigates complex investment landscapes with a long-term perspective. She also offers advice for students and young professionals looking to build meaningful careers in finance, from cultivating curiosity to developing emotional resilience.

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: rockthestreetwallstreet.com

#InvestYourTimeWithInvestors #RTSWS #Morningstar #FinanceCareers #WomenInFinance #FinancialEducation #Investing #CareerAdvice

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

Rocking Finance: A Rock the Street Wall Street Podcast

Real stories. Real access. Real paths into finance.

Leaders of Rock The Street, Wall Street, a US nonprofit, are joined by financial professionals for candid, high-impact conversations sharing the insights, experiences, career pivots and journeys that can help young women advance through the financial industry with great confidence.

Follow and Subscribe to Rocking Finance: A Rock The Street, Wall Street Podcast.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Dr. Linda Pajoel author, investor, and financial educator about turning short-term actions into long-term financial success.
Dr. Pajoel shares how her journey from dentistry to investing led her to publish Stock Market Mama, a book empowering women to build wealth and resilience.

Together, they discuss:
Quick wins that create lasting financial growth
How to start investing with confidence
Lessons on balancing career, learning, and life

Learn how small steps today can lead to meaningful change tomorrow.

#InvestYourTimeWithInvestors #FinancialEducation #WomenInFinance #StockMarketMama #RTSWS

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.

In this episode of Rocking Finance, Rock The Street, Wall Street CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Katherine Relle as she breaks down exactly how she navigated her path from Georgetown → Columbia → LSE → JPMorgan → Private Equity—and the relationship-building strategies that made all the difference.

RTSWS's Emily Holm joins the conversation bringing her expertise on student learning and engagement and inviting university students to request Coffee Chats through the Rock The Street, Wall Street Career Center.

#EarlyCareer #PrivateEquity #Mentorship #RTSWS

Learn more about Rock The Street, Wall Street and our mission to bring the M in STEM to life: rockthestreetwallstreet.com

Disclaimer: All financial and investment information contained in this podcast is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information in this podcast, you do so at your own risk.