"If There's No Seat at the Table, Make One:" Onyx Allen Builds Community for Women in Economics and Finance
April 1, 2026
Abigail Arnold | Office of Graduate Affairs
Onyx Allen started at Brandeis as an undergraduate Computer Science major. “I realized that I liked the intersection of data and storytelling a lot,” she said, and she eventually switched her major to Economics after taking a course in it at the recommendation of a professor. Now a first-year student in the accelerated International Economics and Finance master’s program, she decided to stay at Brandeis for graduate school because of the strong connections among faculty and students. “This told me that I would not only get a quality education but would also be able to participate in and build up a community here.”
One way Allen has done this is by co-founding the Women in Economics and Finance Club with their classmate Atiqua Prithu. The two realized that they had not seen a lot of women, especially women of color, in higher positions in economics and finance careers. “It was a bit of a shock going into my first economics class, where I was one of five women and the only Black person. I didn’t see people who looked like me,” Allen said. “I felt there was a need, not only for community on campus but specifically for women in these fields to be in community together.” Along with Prithu, they wanted to make space for women to connect with others in their field and to make a space for graduate students to congregate together outside of class.
Since launching at the beginning of the semester, the club has had several meetings and events with more to come. These included a speaker event featuring an economic consultant who shared insights on her career and advice for entering the field, as well as monthly general meetings. Recent discussions have explored topics such as the impact of AI on the economy and strategies for staying competitive in the job market. The club also plans to host a panel on maternity leave policies and long-term economic outcomes for women, along with a study session before finals.
Allen is excited about the level of interest in the club and continuing to strengthen it over her remaining one and a half semesters at Brandeis. “I’m most looking forward to seeing how much we can get done and how much we can grow over the next semester,” she said. “We started out small and have grown to about six people on our executive board and about twenty people on the general board who usually come to the meetings.” She hopes to increase awareness of their activities still further and to collaborate with other graduate and undergraduate clubs. “A lot of undergrads have been interested – a lot come up to me and say they know me because I started the club!” she said. She and Prithu also hope to pass the torch as leaders before graduating.
Following graduation, Allen hopes to pursue a career in economic research at a Federal Reserve bank or think tank and to get their PhD in economics. “I really enjoy learning about these topics and would love to deepen my knowledge and create new research that’s more inclusive in representation,” they said. “I’ve heard that a PhD is a hard path, but I think it’s worth it and will expand my development as an aspiring economist in the future.”
Further illustrating the strong Brandeis community, Allen thanked those who have supported her on her journey. “Atiqua started the club with me and is the first friend I made in my master’s program and my best friend,” she said. “Jennifer Voldins is our career coach and club advisor and has given us so much invaluable insight. She’s who I aspire to be. My mom, my grandma, and my sister have also been integral in helping me get to grad school and keep my sanity. And our club is great and all the people involved are awesome!”
In reflecting on the impact of the work they’ve done at Brandeis, Allen noted the importance of being the representation one needs. “As I go on my journey and try to expand representation in economics and finance, I am also a proud example of that representation. I will be going to Washington, DC this summer as part of a research program with the American Economics Association, and I am proud because I can be the representation I never had in this field and others can see that in me,” they said. “If there’s a Black girl who’s interested in economics but hesitant to be the only one, take that chance and you can be the representation you want to see. If there’s no seat at the table, make one.”