As seen in Millionaire MNL, Maura Cunningham is proving that the most powerful Wall Street disruption isn’t a product or a platform, it’s access. A 25-year veteran of capital markets and wealth management, Maura is the Founder and Executive Chair of Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), a nonprofit transforming how high school girls engage with finance and math.
With a mission to bridge the racial and gender wealth gaps at their source, she’s turning mentorship and education into long-term financial empowerment.
From Trading Floors to High School Classrooms
After two decades at firms like Merrill Lynch, Lincoln Financial, and Capital Group, Maura saw firsthand how few women, especially women of color, found their way into finance roles. In 2012, she founded RTSWS to fix that.
Since then, the program has served 600+ students annually across five U.S. cities, Canada, and the U.K., delivering math-focused financial literacy curriculums, mentorship programs, and real exposure to finance careers.
Recognized by Leaders, Powered by Community
RTSWS has received major recognition from The White House, Nasdaq, Catalyst, Women’s Bond Club of New York, and The Today Show. But the power behind the movement lies in community.
Maura has built long-term partnerships with industry leaders like Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, and the Aspen Leadership Group, who provide mentorship, internships, and financial backing.
Her regional West Coast expansion, supported by councils in San Francisco and Palo Alto, brings the program’s impact even closer to where innovation happens.
Beyond the Classroom: Real Exposure, Real Results
RTSWS doesn’t just teach finance, it immerses students in it. From Wall Street firm visits to career panels, speed networking, and alumnae college job fairs, the program’s goal is to build confidence and career clarity early on.
“Rock The Street, Wall Street is considered a leader among non-profits focused on the M of STEM in the nation,” Maura notes in one post.
And she’s not slowing down. Her LinkedIn updates reach over 8,000 followers, consistently spotlighting new partnerships, program launches, and student success stories.
Quotes That Define a Mission
“As I return from a productive trip… launching our West Coast Council in Palo Alto and San Francisco… brings more young women closer to financial independence.”
With each expansion, her message stays the same: Finance belongs to everyone. And the earlier young women are invited in, the better the industry becomes.
