My Story
My career began at 15 years old.
I began my career in 1977 when I joined the First National Bank of Boston as a Credit Reference staff member. I was committed to learning and took on additional responsibilities such as Correspondent Banking, where I specialized in commercial credit analysis. After graduation, I was offered a position leading the Transportation Division at the bank and worked to introduce specialized lending across the Midwest region.
Under the guidance of my mentor, I developed a specialty in trucking industry services and usedthis knowledge to write articles for Transport Topics magazine. I also invested in several trucking companies.
In 1987’s stock market crash, I transitioned into Asset Recovery (collection/workout loan division). With vast experience in this field, I was recruited by Change Inc., whereupon I becameCEO and President of a $1.5 billion dollar bank – one of only 8 women to do so at that time. Though successful in this role, a lack of creative freedom given by all-male board lead me to pursue other opportunities elsewhere.
After leaving Change Inc., I joined Brookwood Financial Partners LLC as Managing Director andAsset Manager; responsible for managing real estate portfolios across the US while developing leasing activity and solving customer concerns profitably. To further expand my professional growth and development, in 2021, I earned an Associate Certified Coach Credential from International Coaching Federation and am due to receive their Professional Credential in 2022.
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved throughout my career but also excited for what lies ahead! I lookforward to working with you and helping you navigate your own future.
Hitting the reset button
In 1987, the stock market crashed. The commercial banking business was forced to realign by the regulatory authorities during the next decade. Fortunately, my loan portfolio was not as troubled as others. As a result, I was recruited into Asset Recovery (collection/workout loan division).
As I continued to progress in knowledge and experience, I hit the “glass ceiling”. It was evident that in the late 80’s early 90’s, there was little room for women in the “C” suite.
I took a payout and moved on to a small community bank that was under the control of the Comptroller of the Currency. My assignment was to fix the deeply troubled commercial loan portfolio. Again, I found a mentor who guided my development and expanded my career opportunities. We succeeded in the turnaround and were relinquished from the OCC control.
When my mentor left their position as CEO and President. I was promoted from Senior Commercial Lending Officer to CEO and President of the $1.5 million bank. At the time, I was 1 of 8 women in the U.S. to achieve this.
There, the real career challenge began.
Hitting the reset button
In 1987, the stock market crashed. The commercial banking business was forced to realign by the regulatory authorities during the next decade. Fortunately, my loan portfolio was not as troubled as others. As a result, I was recruited into Asset Recovery (collection/workout loan division).
As I continued to progress in knowledge and experience, I hit the “glass ceiling”. It was evident that in the late 80’s early 90’s, there was little room for women in the “C” suite.
I took a payout and moved on to a small community bank that was under the control of the Comptroller of the Currency. My assignment was to fix the deeply troubled commercial loan portfolio. Again, I found a mentor who guided my development and expanded my career opportunities. We succeeded in the turnaround and were relinquished from the OCC control.
When my mentor left their position as CEO and President. I was promoted from Senior Commercial Lending Officer to CEO and President of the $1.5 million bank. At the time, I was 1 of 8 women in the U.S. to achieve this.
There, the real career challenge began.
Sore thumb
The all-male board had stereotypical ideas of what they deemed “appropriate” executive behavior. In other words, no creative thinking. The “do as you’re told” attitude was an eye-opener because the direction did not align with my business acumen or ethical standards.
The tensions with the Board increased and they voted to pay out 100% of my contract in return for the right to fire me publically. This was a game-changer for me. I needed to find a place that valued my leadership — somewhere without a glass ceiling.
I received an opportunity with a private equity firm specializing in the acquisition, financial, and operational management of commercial real estate projects. It was a great new adventure with an organization that was more facile in its responses to change within the business environment. For 20+ years, I’ve been in a position to do what I love: lead women, promote adaptability, and earn enormous respect in the finance world.
I’ve experienced both success and rejection; trials and tribulations. As a woman in the workplace, I’ve learned, cultivated, and applied my critical and strategic thinking skills to each of my endeavors.
Now it’s my time to give back my knowledge to a community of women who are experiencing career challenges, fatigue, and disengagement due to environments that are not working in their favor. I sincerely believe the corporate mentality can be shifted, one woman at a time.
I’m thrilled to step into your journey!
