RTSWS expands to Hong Kong, honors Feinberg at Boston luncheon

By AI, Created 11:00 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Rock The Street, Wall Street marked Financial Literacy Month with its annual Woman of the Year luncheon in Boston on April 28, honoring Kristie Feinberg of Manulife John Hancock Investments and Reginald Sanders of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The event also announced RTSWS’s first cohort in Hong Kong, expanding the nonprofit’s reach to four countries across three continents.

Why it matters: - RTSWS used Financial Literacy Month to spotlight its career pipeline for students and to announce international growth that broadens access to finance education. - The new Hong Kong cohort extends the nonprofit’s footprint to four countries and three continents. - RTSWS says its programming has reached more than 10,000 students globally.

What happened: - Rock The Street, Wall Street hosted student programming and its 2026 Annual Woman of the Year Luncheon on April 28 in Boston. - The event honored Kristie Feinberg, President and CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, as RTSWS 2026 Woman of the Year. - RTSWS named Reginald Sanders, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as Supporter of the Year. - The program brought together industry leaders, students and supporters from the Boston area. - A student panel featuring leaders from Manulife John Hancock took place before the keynote event during the firm’s volunteering impact week.

The details: - Manulife John Hancock supported RTSWS’s expansion into Asia. - RTSWS launched its first cohort in Hong Kong. - RTSWS now operates in more than 30 cities. - The Boston program included a fireside conversation with Feinberg, award presentations and student engagement from three local Boston-area schools. - Cynthia Lo Bessette presented the Woman of the Year Award to Feinberg. - Maura Cunningham, RTSWS founder, presented the Supporter of the Year Award to Sanders. - RTSWS recognized board members, Advisory Council leaders, sponsors and volunteers for their role in expanding access and opportunity. - The event rotates cities each year across RTSWS’s footprint. - Attendees were encouraged to post internships and early career roles and to support the next generation. - The student program included networking, mentorship opportunities and continued engagement between students and professionals.

Between the lines: - RTSWS is pairing recognition events with direct student exposure to industry leaders, reinforcing a model that blends inspiration with access. - The Hong Kong launch signals that the organization is moving beyond U.S.-based programming into a broader global talent pipeline. - RTSWS highlighted a 79% increase in financial and investment literacy among participants and alumni who are 5x more likely to pursue finance, economics and related fields. - Those outcomes are meant to show that early exposure and sustained mentorship can shape long-term career choices. - Feinberg said the work of connecting students to real opportunities early in their journeys is critical. - Sanders said RTSWS is helping build a stronger, more inclusive pipeline of talent.

What’s next: - RTSWS plans to keep expanding access, internships and early career pathways through its Career Center and school-to-career programming. - The organization will continue rotating its annual luncheon across cities in its network. - RTSWS is likely to deepen engagement with students and industry partners as it grows in Asia and other markets.

The bottom line: - RTSWS is scaling a mentoring-and-access model that now spans four countries and aims to move more students from classrooms into finance careers.