In April, we’re celebrating the more than 600 dedicated volunteers who power 100 Women in Finance around the globe. As the backbone of our organization, these passionate individuals help bring to life over 250 events each year—fueling our mission and strengthening our global community. Their contributions are invaluable, and the relationship is truly mutual: while our volunteers give their time and expertise, they gain opportunities for professional development, expanded networks, and meaningful engagement. Throughout the month, we’ll highlight a few of these remarkable individuals in a series of Q&As to share their experiences and insights.
Madhavi Botla
Co-Chair, Chicago Education Committee
Associate Director, ISS-STOXX
Madhavi Botla is an Associate Director at ISS-STOXX as a Senior Sustainability and Climate Sales Specialist for Mid-Americas US and Canada, and was chosen to be a part of the newly formed Americas sustainability sales team for leading revenue numbers, subject matter expertise, and leadership skills. Ms. Botla has over 20 years of experience in research and financial service sales, including: policy, global macro, energy, equity, and forensic accounting research sales at firms including Medley Global Advisors, William O’Neil, and CFRA. Prior to this, Ms Botla specialized in fixed income sales and trading at Bloomberg and at Fifth Third Securities. Madhavi holds an MBA degree from The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a BS degree in Biology with a Minor in Art History from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Madhavi has been actively involved with 100 Women in Finance since 2008 in both New York and Chicago. For the past five years she has been a volunteer with the Chicago Education Committee and has served as the Co-Chair since 2023.
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How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
100WF has helped me find my voice and a sense of purpose within the financial services community. It is very invigorating for me to connect with other like-minded women, sharing and learning from stories of successes and struggles. I started my career in fixed income sales, and was one of the only female producers on the trading floor. I’d go to networking events, and there would be a great disparity with no other females present. There is still work to be done, but I’ve been happy to see that it is turning around in recent years. Being a part of this amazing community has helped me understand that it’s important to not just fit in, but to stand out and be true to yourself. My role at 100WF has taught me to advocate for things I believe in, build a strong network, and to lift and support those around me.
Can you share a memorable moment from your time volunteering with 100WF?
I really love the mentorship events we have each year. It’s lovely to see new graduates and those early in their career have so much enthusiasm and energy. If I can help contribute at all to their goals by sharing my own experiences or advice, it is very fulfilling. I was asked to be a part of a Jumpstart panel by 100WF, specifically for women interested in sustainable finance careers. I really enjoy what I do, and it was great to see how this field is growing. It really helped me reflect by hearing from so many university students and recent graduates. I also really enjoyed a pickleball event we did last year. I’m a sports enthusiast, and I loved how there is no barrier to entry, early career, mid-level, and senior level women were having the best time playing with each other in a casual and fun setting.
How has working on 100WF initiatives connected you with others in the industry or expanded your professional network?
I became more active in the Chicago location when I was in between jobs, and it helped me reconnect with networking, which ultimately landed my current role. It also helped me through the pandemic, and our events never stopped – in fact they expanded globally. We have a diverse committee, with investment management, auditing firms, lawyers, service providers, etc. It’s very entrepreneurial and inclusive, everyone’s opinions matter in our programming, with a good mix of educational, professional development, and social events. I have worked with some amazing senior level practitioners for our events, and I have connected with them more personally with this common purpose than I would have professionally. The Chicago location has grown, and we’ve brought on many new members and committee members in the past couple of years. Many committee members are close friends, and I have also gotten to know other location members and 100WF leadership.
Nalinie Hurd
Volunteer, Global FundWomen Week
Head of Business and Regulatory Compliance, Norges Bank Investment Management
Nalinie has over two decades of diverse experience spanning asset management and investment banking and currently serves as Head of Business and Regulatory Compliance at Norges Bank Investment Management. Her global team oversees a wide range of regulatory matters applicable to investments, business initiatives, and operational activities across public and private markets. The team ensures compliance with the investment mandate established by Norway’s Ministry of Finance and the Executive Board, while also managing employee conduct matters, amongst others. She previously served as Senior Legal Counsel at Citigroup focusing on investment research and capital markets and over 8 years in alternative investments at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Nalinie has been actively involved with 100 Women in Finance over the past three years. For 100WF’s Global FundWomen Week, Nalinie has coordinated speakers from her firm and also served as a speaker for roundtable discussions. Additionally, Nalinie has fostered networking opportunities and facilitated her firm’s sponsorship of education events across New York, London, and Asia.
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What initially inspired you to volunteer with 100 Women in Finance?
I volunteered because I believe in creating the support system I wish I’d had early in my career. 100 Women in Finance’s commitment to education, peer engagement, and impact resonated deeply with my values. What truly inspired me was seeing how 100 Women in Finance creates tangible pathways for women’s advancement rather than just discussing the problems. I wanted to be part of building that bridge between aspiration and achievement, helping to ensure the next generation of women in finance can rise further and faster than we did.
How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
What truly energizes me is the opportunity to showcase the exceptional talent within our organization. By creating visibility for these voices, we not only strengthen our organization’s presence in the industry but also inspire the next generation of women in finance. This collaborative approach to elevating others has, in turn, enhanced my own strategic thinking and reinforced my commitment to inclusive leadership—skills that have proven essential in navigating complex global environments. The diversity of the events and engagements also allowed me to examine my own professional journey, helping me recognise my unique value proposition.
How has working on 100WF initiatives connected you with others in the industry or expanded your professional network?
Through my active participation as a sponsor, attendee, and speaker at 100WF events, I’ve cultivated meaningful connections with remarkable professionals at every career stage. These relationships—spanning seasoned leaders to emerging talents—have profoundly expanded my perspective, offering fresh insights and diverse perspectives.
Sapphire Proctor
Chair, LaunchMe Mentee Committee and Co-Chair, Dublin Early Career Committee
M&A Analyst at Pegasus Capital
Sapphire Proctor is an M&A Analyst at Pegasus Capital in Dublin. She works across the full deal lifecycle on buy-side, sell-side, and capital raise mandates in sectors like technology, industrials, consumer, and business services. She also spearheads the firm’s social media and communications strategy. Previously, she worked in FP&A at DocuSign, managing a $750 million P&L and contributing to global leadership insights while leading DEI initiatives as a Committee Lead for the Women’s Employee Resource Group in EMEA. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin with a degree in Economics and Business, she gained experience as Deputy Head of ESG for the Trinity Student Managed Fund, overseeing sustainable finance projects. Sapphire also contributes to Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter, advocating for gender equity in financial services. Passionate about finance, sustainability, and inclusion, she believes in mentorship as a transformative tool for confidence and connection.
Sapphire has been actively involved with 100 Women in Finance for four years, beginning as a student member and mentee in the LaunchMe mentorship program, which inspired her commitment to mentorship. Since then, she has held multiple 100WF volunteer leadership roles, including Global Chair of the Mentee Committee, supporting over 200 participants and leading a global team, EMEA Representative for the Global Student and LaunchMe Committees, as well as Co-Chair for the Dublin Early Career Committee.
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What initially inspired you to volunteer with 100 Women in Finance?
Mentorship was the first thing that drew me to 100 Women in Finance. As a student, I had no personal connections in the finance industry, I was eager to learn but didn’t know where to start. My mentor through LaunchMe was a game-changer. She helped me navigate the industry with honesty, warmth, and perspective. To me, mentors are a mix between a teacher and a role model, they show you what’s possible. “If you can see it, you can be it.” I’ve always been passionate about social impact and innovation (I even wrote my final year thesis on it), so giving back to an organization that shaped me felt natural. Volunteering with 100WF gave me the chance to pay it forward and help build the kind of community I wish I had even earlier.
How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
Serving on and leading 100WF committees has hugely shaped my personal and professional growth. Taking on leadership roles, especially as a young woman early in my career, gave me confidence in spaces where I might’ve otherwise held back. The public speaking opportunities in particular pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop a stronger, clearer voice, something that’s benefited me in client meetings, presentations, and even negotiations in my day-to-day role in M&A. Beyond skill-building, being part of 100WF reminded me that leadership isn’t about age or title, it’s about showing up, contributing, and lifting others up. That mindset has completely shifted how I navigate my career.
Can you share a memorable moment from your time volunteering with 100WF?
Attending and volunteering at the London Gala in March 2025 was an unforgettable experience. Sitting in the stunning V&A Museum surrounded by some of the most influential women in global finance was both humbling and deeply inspiring. The highlight for me was hearing COO/CDO Kellan Brown speak so candidly about the current political climate — her clarity, strength, and call to action left a lasting impression. There was a real sense of collective power and unity in the room that night. It reminded me why this community matters: not just for networking or career development, but for championing change and standing together. As someone who started as a student member, being in that room felt like a full-circle moment — both grounding and aspirational. It fueled my commitment to creating more spaces like that for women at all stages of their finance journey.
Vivian Spies, CFA
Chair, Washington DC Education Committee
Vice President, Goldman Sachs, Asset and Wealth Management Division
Vivian is an investment advisor in the Asset and Wealth Management Division of Goldman Sachs, where she works with wealthy individuals, family offices, and non-profit organizations. Since joining Goldman Sachs in 2015, Vivian has brought a wealth of expertise to her role. She graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a BS in International Economics and an honors certificate from the Landegger Program in International Business Diplomacy. Fluent in Spanish and a Chartered Financial Analyst, Vivan is a member of the CFA Society of Philadelphia. She serves on the board of STEM for Her, a nonprofit dedicated to serving women and girls interested in STEM careers, and is the Treasurer of the Georgetown Alumni Club of Greater Philadelphia.
Vivian has been a volunteer with 100 Women in Finance for the past four years, which she credits for providing valuable leadership experience and network growth opportunities. She is currently the Chair of the 100 Women in Finance Washington DC Education Committee.
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How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
When I first began volunteering for 100 Women in Finance, I was at a career inflection point and joining the organization provided me with valuable leadership experience that complemented the work I was doing on a day-to-day basis. It also supercharged my network and expanded it to include other like-minded women focused on supporting each other and the mission of the organization.
Can you share a memorable moment from your time volunteering with 100WF?
Last year, we partnered with Cambridge Associates for an education event that drew our largest audience in recent memory. The room had over 70 professionals at various career stages, which provided one of the richer networking opportunities to date. Being a part of the planning and execution of that event while Chair of the committee was immensely rewarding.
How has working on 100WF initiatives connected you with others in the industry or expanded your professional network?
I’ve met so many wonderful women through 100 Women in Finance, many of whom I now consider to be friends and mentors. 100WF is special in that it serves all career stages – providing content that supports each of those stages and allows senior, mid-level and early career women interact is hugely impactful.
To all our incredible volunteers, thank you for being the heart and soul of 100 Women in Finance. Your dedication, expertise, and passion drive our mission forward, creating opportunities, fostering connections, and bringing us closer to Vision 30/40. If you are interested in helping to enhance the presence of women in the industry by volunteering with 100WF, please let us know through our volunteer contact form.