NATALIE CARNOY

Hi! I’m Natalie Carnoy, a senior from New York City studying History at Columbia College. I joined CWBS as a freshman on the Platform & Outreach Committee, became Chair of the committee my sophomore year, served as Director of Communications last year, and now serve as Director of Membership. Transitioning to DoC, then DoM meant shifting to work that is largely internal and behind-the-scenes. I no longer have a committee; instead, I focus on strengthening the overall CWBS community experience and ensuring members stay informed and engaged.

Since joining CWBS, I’ve loved watching the club evolve and grow, especially The Scope. I’m incredibly grateful for the CWBS community. During my three years on the executive board, I’ve gotten to know so many inspiring women who have offered guidance and generously shared their experiences. Through both of my internships over the past two summers, the friends I’ve made through CWBS have provided constant support and encouragement. My favorite parts of CWBS are the sense of community and the tangible impact of our events and our newsletters. My Columbia experience wouldn’t have been the same without CWBS, and I’m so appreciative to everyone who makes it what it is.

Quick Q&A with Natalie

You mentioned friends from CWBS gave you support during both internships. Can you share a specific moment where the CWBS network made a difference in your professional journey?

•⁠ ⁠It’s difficult to point to just one moment because there have been so many. After both of my internships, I had long conversations with members of CWBS who had gone through similar experiences. They were incredible sounding boards, openly sharing their own career paths, challenges, and lessons learned. Those conversations helped me process what I had experienced, think more critically about what I wanted moving forward, and ultimately make more confident decisions about my next steps. 

With graduation approaching, how has your time leading different aspects of CWBS informed what you’re looking for in your career or even what you’ve decided you want to pursue?

•⁠ ⁠As a history major, much of my understanding of finance, everything from industry basics to internship recruiting, has come directly from CWBS and its members. It’s hard to capture all the ways the organization has shaped my career direction because the impact has been so cumulative. The most meaningful influence has come from the people, especially older members whose paths I’ve looked to as examples. Working on CWBS newsletters also exposed me to incredible job and internship opportunities, many of which I later pursued myself. Beyond that, the skills I developed - conducting outreach, researching and curating content, networking within the community, and writing “business bites” - have been directly applicable to elements of internships, interviewing, or networking. Those experiences built my confidence, added to my communication skills, and gave me a clearer sense of the professional environments I’m excited to be part of.

What’s your advice for students seeking club leadership positions?

•⁠ ⁠Get involved in a club that genuinely interests you and is filled with people you enjoy spending time with. Leadership requires a significant investment of time and energy, and that commitment is much easier and far more rewarding when you care about the organization and its mission. When you’re passionate about the work and the community, leadership feels less like another obligation and more like something that meaningfully enhances your Columbia experience.