WWS, a non-profit 501(c)(3), is dedicated to fostering women's financial literacy, bolstering self-confidence, and enhancing overall quality of life through practical knowledge. WWS serves as a platform where educators, financial professionals, and STEAM experts engage with the community through a symposium format. This annual event, held on the Friday adjacent to International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th, aims to provide attendees with valuable insights and personal experiences.

​

International Women's Day serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of women supporting each other across all facets of life, working collaboratively to address gender parity. WWS welcomes women from all walks of life – pioneers, nurturers, philanthropists – encouraging them to embrace femininity while pursuing their goals. Our vision is to sustain an ongoing forum for discussion, learning, and innovation, fostering empowerment and enabling women to achieve their aspirations.

​

STEAM Career Education and Empowerment for All Women

 

Marah Fineberg-Kuck, a Certified Financial Planner, has  17 years experience working directly with business and money managers on Wall Street. Through her experiences, Marah realized the need for an organized local annual Women’s Symposium event to help with empowerment & education. Marah’s philosophy is to make a difference together, participate in the conversation to lead, serve, and recognize those that want to further the agenda of gender equality, 

In 2014, Marah attended Barron's invite-only Women Summit in Florida which brought together the best minds in the wealth-management industry. The Summit designed to facilitate a free-flowing exchange of information, ideas and insights from the industry's most accomplished women advisers, in the interest of raising the standards of excellence in the wealth management profession.

​

A Call to Action for the Barron’s Women's Summit attendees "Stand–up and Lead"

​

Marah's professional journey led her to a pivotal moment in 2016 when she received an invitation to join and attend the SoCal Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women. This dynamic women's rights group, devoted to sharing empowering financial information, left a lasting impact on Marah. It was at this UN Women's event, coinciding with International Women's Day, that the seed for WWS was planted.

​

Upon RSVPing YES to the UN Women's event, Marah introspected, questioning her contributions to her clients and community in advancing gender parity. Inspired by this reflection, Marah organized her first Women’s Symposium, focusing on celebrating achievements and trends in today’s ever-changing world. The inaugural symposium in Long Beach, held in 2017, attracted 48 women aged 18 to 86 from LA and Orange Counties.

​

Marah facilitated an open dialogue, reviewing trends and opportunities for women, sharing actionable planning best practices, and hosting a panel of experts. Attendees advocated for formalizing the Women’s Symposium, leading to the incorporation of WSSC in August 2016. WWS, operating under its nonprofit tax ID, continues to thrive, with its first Advisory Board members originating from this supportive community.

​

Marah envisions an inclusive community where individuals actively contribute to positive change. WWS program participants, all volunteers, undergo rigorous screening to ensure a fabulous experience for attendees at WWS annual events. Strengthening the lives of Southern California women is a central focus, underscored by the establishment of the Purple Diamond Award in 2019. This award, bestowed by the WWS Advisory Board, recognizes individuals for their community service and commitment to WWS's mission, promoting increased recognition of women in leadership roles. Through these efforts, WWS aims to unveil unsung mentors and leaders, providing the next generation with essential female role models.

 

WWS General Principals

​

• Elevating financial literacy, empowerment, and practical knowledge for women across all levels is a paramount priority, achieved through advocacy and STEAM education to foster innovation for the future.

• Financial planning and STEAM skills constitute integral components of a well-rounded education, playing crucial roles in effective family units and responsible citizenship.

• Initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining talented leaders, educators, and partners from diverse backgrounds in Southern California are pivotal for the growth of the Financial Planning and STEAM industries.

• A strong emphasis on hands-on, symposium-based learning activities is central to direct engagement with professionals in Financial Planning, Personal Empowerment, STEAM industries, and other relevant fields.

• The core focuses of gender equality include employment, compensation, work-life balance, career development, family leadership, business, health and safety, civic engagement, transparency, accountability, and marketing practices.

• Expanding the capacity and diversity of the Financial Planning and STEAM workforce pipeline in Southern California is imperative to prepare more young professional women for the best jobs of the future.

• The integration of public-private partnerships and incentives is crucial for promoting business and industry engagement in advocating for financial literacy and STEAM education for women.

​

​