The 4th Women in Quantitative Finance Americas Conference (WQFA)

The 4th Women in Quantitative Finance Americas (WQFA) Conference is scheduled for Thursday 21st May 2026.
This is a Joint Event with Columbia University:

Columbia University
2276 12th Ave
New York, NY 10027

This annual non -profit conference has become a cornerstone for professionals in the field, offering a unique platform to engage with cutting-edge research, network with industry leaders, and participate in dynamic discussions.

We look forward to your participation in this significant event, contributing to the advancement of women in quantitative finance.

Registration Details

Given the high demand and the fact that the previous conference sold out, early registration is recommended. A nominal attendance fee of £30 (£15 for full-time academics) has been introduced to manage attendance effectively. Additionally, there’s a special offer where, if two colleagues attend, the third can join for free. You can pay in USDs ($40 & $20 for full-time academics)on our website.

• Beating the Memory Wall: Tile Computing Patterns for Quant Finance - Ioana Boier: Senior Principal Solutions Architect, NVIDIA
• Using Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) and Transformer Models for Portfolio Construction - Hiteeksha Mathur Ghai: VP, Quantitative Research, BlackRock ; Founder, ‘Quant’ify Your Career
• PANEL: Talent Attraction & Retention
• Quantitative Models with Qualitative Scenarios: Simulation with Transformer and Large Language Models - Irene Aldridge: CEO and Founder, AbleBlox and AbleMarkets
• Panel – Blockchain in the AI age
  Kathryn Zhao: Global Head of Electronic Trading, Cantor Fitzgerald
  Irene Aldridge: CEO and Founder, AbleBlox and AbleMarkets
  Katrin Tinn: Associate Professor of Finance, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
• Topic to be confirmed - Edith Mandel: Principal, Greenwich Street Advisors, LLC

• PANEL: Career Progression

• Kathryn Zhao: Global Head of Electronic Trading, Cantor Fitzgerald
• Ioana Boier: Senior Principal Solutions Architect, NVIDIA
• Jess Stauth: Chief Investment Officer – Systematic Equity, Fidelity Investments
• Wafaa Schiefler: Executive Director – Commodities Quantitative Researcher, JP Morgan Chase
• Irene Aldridge: CEO and Founder, AbleBlox and AbleMarkets
• Mary Phillips: Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, Dimensional Fund Advisors
• Edith Mandel: Principal, Greenwich Street Advisors, LLC
• Katrin Tinn:
• Associate Professor of Finance, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
• Hiteeksha Mathur Ghai: VP, Quantitative Research, BlackRock ; Founder, ‘Quant’ify Your Career
• Victoria Averbukh: Professor of Practice & Director of Cornell Financial Engineering Manhattan
• Natascha Hey: Postdoctoral Researcher and Adjunct Professor, Columbia Business School
  By registering for this event, attendees expressly consent to receive subsequent communications related to the subject matter of the event from WBS Training and its affiliated sponsors. Such communications may include, but are not limited to, informational updates, promotional materials, and follow-up correspondence relevant to the event’s content.

Event Partner: This is a Joint Event with Columbia University:

https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/

Sponsor 2026:

Main website:

Quantitative Research page:

Opportunities:

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