Ideas with Impact
UNB Faculty of Management

When fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student Katie Kennedy applied to the National Bank Financial Young Women Student Mentorship Program, she knew she was stepping into a competitive national pool. What she may not have anticipated was just how transformational the experience would become, both for her confidence and her career direction.

Selected from applicants across Canada, Katie joined a cohort of just over 20 mentees in a program designed to connect aspiring young women with leaders in wealth management. But for Katie, the experience quickly became more than a line on a résumé, it became a defining part of her learning journey.

Katie’s story reflects a key strength of business programs at the University of New Brunswick: the power of experiential learning. Through the Student Investment Fund (SIF), she developed both a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in investment decision-making which prepared her to make the most of the mentorship.

“The program begins with a national virtual kickoff, bringing together mentees, mentors, and leaders,” Katie explains. “I was paired with my mentor, Derek Kitchen, a Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager at National Bank Financial in Fredericton. Being matched locally has been especially valuable, as it allows us to meet in person and build a strong connection.”

From September to May, Katie met monthly with her mentor for conversations tailored to her goals. Discussions ranged from career paths and industry insights to networking, client relationships, and professional development.

“No two meetings are the same, with each session covering different topics such as career paths in wealth management, client relationships, networking, industry insights, and personal and professional development.”

While structured learning played an important role, the relationships Katie built proved even more impactful.

“Derek introduced me to a wide range of professionals across the financial industry,” she says. “Those connections helped me see how different sectors work together and opened my eyes to the variety of career paths available.”

The broader mentorship network added another dimension. Through virtual panels and discussions with industry leaders (including accomplished women across National Bank) Katie was exposed to diverse perspectives that challenged and expanded her thinking.

“The program creates an environment that encourages growth, confidence, and active engagement,” she adds. “It was incredibly inspiring to learn from so many different voices.”

For Katie, who transitioned into finance later in her degree, the mentorship provided valuable direction.

“This experience has enhanced both my education and my career plans,” she says. “Hearing from someone passionate about their work made careers in wealth management feel tangible and exciting.”

Through regular conversations and a strengths-based assessment, she developed a clearer understanding of her skills, working style, and areas for growth.

“I felt more informed, supported, and confident as I moved through my fourth year and began exploring post-graduate opportunities,” she says.

Katie’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when motivated students actively seek out opportunities to challenge themselves, and when institutions create the conditions for those opportunities to thrive.

Programs like the Student Investment Fund equip students with practical skills. Mentorship experiences like the National Bank Financial Young Women Student Mentorship Program connect those skills to industry realities. Together, they create a powerful launchpad. For Katie, it led to full time employment with National Bank Wealth Management in Halifax when she graduates in May.

Photo: Participating as a mentee in the National Bank Financial Young Women Student Mentorship Program during her final year of the BBA helped launch a career in finance for Katie Kennedy.

Learn more about UNB’s faculty of management and Student Investment Fund.

Media contact

Liz Lemon-Mitchell
Lizabeth.Lemonmitchell@unb.ca

Explain how the mentorship works.

The National Bank Financial Young Women Student Mentorship Program selects approximately 22–23 mentees from across Canada through an application and interview process. The program is begins with a national virtual kickoff that brings together mentees, mentors, and program leaders.

I was paired with my mentor, Derek Kitchen, a Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager at National Bank Financial in Fredericton. Being matched locally has been especially valuable, as it allows us to meet in person and build a strong connection. The mentorship runs from September to May with monthly meetings that are tailored to my goals and interests. No two meetings are the same, with each session covering different topics such as career paths in wealth management, client relationships, networking, industry insights, and personal and professional development.

In addition to one-on-one mentorship, the program offers virtual seminars with industry leaders and provides access to a strong national network of mentees and professionals providing exposure to a wide range of perspectives within wealth management. The program fosters a strong support system of mentors and peers who are genuinely invested in helping students learn, grow, and gain confidence in the industry.

What has your experience with the program been like?

My experience with the program has been amazing, and I am so grateful to have been paired with my mentor, Derek Kitchen. Being mentored by someone who is genuinely passionate about their role and loves what they do has made a significant difference in my experience.

Derek has introduced me to a wide range of professionals in the industry, whether they work directly in wealth management, are involved in the investment side of the business, or are simply individuals he believes could support my journey. These valuable connections have broadened my perspective on how different sectors of the financial industry collaborate and have given me a much clearer understanding of the diverse career paths available. Overall, this experience has been both educational and inspiring, further strengthening my interest in wealth management and finance.

Beyond my one-on-one mentorship, the broader network created through the program has been equally impactful. Through virtual panels and discussions with industry leaders and accomplished women across National Bank, I have been able to engage in meaningful conversations, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from a wide range of perspectives. Led by Tania D’Iorio, the program fosters an environment that encourages growth, confidence, and active engagement, making the learning experience both engaging and inspiring.

Has this experience enhanced your education and career plans/prospects? If yes, how so?

Yes, absolutely, this experience has meaningfully enhanced both my education and my career plans. Through my conversations with Derek, I’ve gained a much clearer understanding of the client-facing side of wealth management and how important relationship-building is in the industry. Hearing firsthand from someone who is genuinely passionate about their work has been incredibly motivating and has made the career paths within wealth management feel far more tangible and exciting.

The program has also broadened my exposure to the financial industry as a whole. Through virtual seminars and conversations with professionals across National Bank, I’ve learned about different roles, teams, and career trajectories within wealth management and related areas. These perspectives have helped me better understand how the different pieces of the industry connect and where my interests may align as I move forward.

In addition, the mentorship has played a meaningful role in building my confidence and self-awareness. Through ongoing conversations with my mentor and a strengths-based assessment with Shawn O’Brien, I’ve gained a clearer understanding of my skills, working style, personality and areas for development. As someone who transitioned into finance later in my degree, this experience has been especially valuable in helping me feel more informed, supported, and confident in my future career direction as I move through my fourth year at UNB and begin exploring post-graduate opportunities.

What has been the biggest lesson or take-away for you?

My biggest takeaway has been understanding how important the client relationship is in wealth management. Seeing how much time and care goes into truly understanding clients’ goals, values, and concerns completely changed how I view the role, and highlighted how essential it is to build strong, trusting relationships with clients. It reinforced that success in this field is about people first, not just numbers.

On a personal level, I’ve learned a lot about myself and where I can see myself building a career within this industry. Even though the mentorship is only halfway through, I already feel more confident and knowledgeable, with a clearer understanding of what I enjoy and what my next steps should be. It’s been a really motivating experience, and I would strongly recommend this mentorship program to anyone exploring the wealth management side of finance.