In 2018, the Duke Financial Economics Center (DFE) launched the Dzialga Women in Finance Initiative, made possible by the Kirsten Alexander Dzialga ’93 Fund. The goal of this initiative is to explore ways to empower women interested in careers in finance. Open to all first-year students, Dzialga Fellows receive mentoring, skills training, faculty advising, and networking opportunities. From sophomore to senior year, Dzialga Fellows are engaged in activities that help them explore careers in finance and prepare for summer internships, including
- Guest speaker sessions covering a variety of finance topics
- Advising from DFE faculty
- Guidance through the internship recruiting process
- Mentoring by seniors who have been through the recruiting process
- A trip to New York over fall break to visit major banks, advisory firms, and private equity firms
- Skill development sessions on giving presentations, networking, and getting the most from the internship experience
Sophomore Dzialga Fellows also take the fall semester course FMKT 256 Practical Financial Markets, in which they learn the foundational concepts and technical skills required for careers in the financial markets.
Dzialga Fellows, including those who choose to pursue alternative careers, are engaged in the initiative throughout their time at Duke. Overall, the initiative offers Duke students the opportunity to develop their individual strengths within a supportive cohort.
DFE accepts applications for the Dzialga Women in Finance Initiative each spring. The application period for Spring 2026 has closed. All first-year students are eligible to apply.
The Dzialga Initiative's Impact
“When I first came to Duke, I was drawn into a career in finance like many other students looking to make a foray into the world of business. Though I ultimately decided that finance was not for me, the Dzialga fellowship afforded me the opportunity to make an informed decision and provided me with the support I needed to make sure my decision to not recruit finance was not because I was afraid to or because I did not know how, but instead because it was not my ultimate calling. For students who are looking to work in finance or even those who are unsure, Dzialga empowers students to make informed decisions about the kind of career they want to build.” – Dzialga Fellow, Duke '24
"It's one thing to read about these firms and understand practically what they do each day. It's an entirely different experience to meet face-to-face with the people that could be our future colleagues, in offices that we might share. I can say now that I am not only interested in a career in finance, but also that I can include myself in my evolving mental image of the industry." – Dzialga Fellow, Duke '28