Pattie Ehsaei is a lender, lawyer, financial adviser -- and TikTok star. During Covid she turned to the social media platform to share her candid thoughts on women's empowerment, workplace issues, and financial literacy. Nearly overnight, her videos went viral, and she now reaches nearly a million followers through her Duchess Of Decorum site.

At the age of 7, her family migrated to the US from Iran. She didn’t speak a word of English, her parents struggled financially, but she never let her circumstances define her. She got her first job at the age of 10, and she's been hustling ever since!

She was relentless in her pursuit of success and financial freedom. Through many years of hard work, discipline, and determination, she managed to make carve out a highly successful decades-long career as a lawyer and banker.  Now, her mission is to teach -- with no-nonsense clarity -- all the things she wishes she knew at an earlier age, and empower you to be the best version of yourself. She's been featured on Good Morning America, Fox News, Huffington Post, Forbes, MSNBC and many more. With a new book releasing this Spring, she's coming to the New England Women In Banking and Mortgage Conference to rock the house. 

If you’re ready to be empowered in your career, relationships, and finances, you’ve come to the right place. Pattie Ehsaei is living proof that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can get back up and keep fighting.

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Noelle Lambert was a Division I student-athlete when a devastating accident resulted in the loss of her left leg. Unsure of what her future might now hold, with the support and encouragement of others – and her own determination – Lambert reassessed her abilities and goals, turning self-doubt into motivation. She was ready to take on the world once again – and soon made her mark in places she never expected to be. Lambert shares her personal journey and what she’s learned along the way.

In 2016, Noelle Lambert lost her left leg due to a moped accident. At the time, she was playing Division I lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, Massachusetts. After her accident, she worked her way back on the lacrosse field, becoming the first above-knee amputee to ever play collegiate lacrosse. After graduating in 2019, Noelle pursued track & field. In her first race, she beat the reigning national champion and hit the qualifying times to be a part of the US Paralympic National team. In 2021, Noelle competed in the Tokyo Paralympic Games placing 6th in the world and breaking the US 100-meter record. After Tokyo, she started competing in snowboarding competitively making the world championship team her first year competing. Noelle started a nonprofit organization called The Born to Run Foundation, which focuses on donating specialized prosthetics to amputees in need allowing them to live a fun and fulfilling life. In 2022, she was cast to be on Season 43 of Survivor, where she was the first above-knee amputee to ever be cast on the show.

We'll take a break in the agenda to enjoy the complimentary mimosa and bloody mary bar.

There is nothing like the power of possibility that women bring to an organization.  We’re bringing together top executives from several community banks and credit unions to discuss their career experiences and share their wisdom on how to be a leader for change and empowerment at your institution.

Panelists include Diane Arnold, President and CEO of Essex Savings Bank, Michelle Dwyer, President/CEO at Franklin First Federal Credit Union, Judith Corprew, President and CEO of New Haven Bank, and Larissa Thurston, President and CEO of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union.

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Inspiration, Aspiration & Awards

After months of soliciting nominations and considering candidates, we're pleased to honor this year's class of honorees for the Northeast Women In Banking & Mortgage Awards. During luncheon, we'll showcase our award winners present at the conference. Join us as we raise a toast in their honor, and recognize the skills and talents of some of the region's top financial leaders.

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Fanita Borges | Affordable Lending Sales Manager | Liberty Bank

Kelly Crone | First VP - Residential Mortgage Officer | Thomaston Savings Bank

Cheryl Galloway | AVP Community Development Officer | Bristol Savings Bank

Courtney Graham | Chief Marketing Office & Chief People Officer | Princeton Mortgage

Hanan Hanna | CEO | Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation

Sheila King-Goodwin | SVP, Chief Community Banking Officer | Fidelity Bank

Susana Neves-Coito | Mortgage Loan Officer | BankFive

Marie O'Brien | Partner & Director Of Compliance | Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP

Tammy Reynolds | Executive Managing Director, Deposit Operations | Webster Bank

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As if being a professional woman in a male dominated industry isn't hard enough, women are often made to feel as if they are in constant competition with other women for their seat at the table. When confronted by her own bias, LaDonna Lockard, CEO of training academy Maximum Acceleration, knew she needed to reframe her approach to working with women in order to achieve what she always wanted: strong, female leadership. Join her as she challenges the stigmas, hypocrisy, and myths of being a woman in the workplace and the changes needed to inspire future female leaders.

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Join us for an empowering session as we delve into the art of unlocking your superpower and mastering the boutique experience in the dynamic world of lending. Led by industry expert Irene Amato, CEO of ASAP Lending, this session is tailored to empower financial women to excel in their roles by harnessing their unique strengths and offering personalized service that sets them apart. Discover the secrets to creating memorable client experiences, building lasting relationships, and achieving success while staying true to your authentic self. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this session will provide invaluable insights and practical strategies to help you thrive as a woman in the world of lending. Come unlock your superpower and unleash your full potential!

Boston’s Karen Akunowicz knows that true success isn’t about following a set path—it’s about forging your own, driven by passion, hard work, and the determination to rise to every challenge. As a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and television personality, Karen has built her career through bold moves, unshakable confidence, and the belief that every obstacle is an opportunity in disguise. That's what she brings to the table.

Her bold approach to leadership and creativity has earned her accolades across national media, including features in The New York Times, Forbes, Food & Wine, and The Wall Street Journal. She’s been profiled on CBS’s Saturday Morning’s The Dish, The Today Show, and Access Hollywood, bringing her energy and culinary expertise to screens nationwide. Named one of Marie Claire’s “21 Badass Women Changing the Food World,” Karen has inspired a movement in her industry—and she’s ready to do the same for you.

In this inspiring session, Karen will share her journey from dreaming big to achieving even bigger. She’ll reveal the mindset that has helped her build a thriving restaurant empire and navigate one of the toughest industries with grace and grit. From her kitchen to the boardroom, Karen’s story is a powerful example of how to turn passion into purpose, and hustle into lasting success.

Whether you’re leading in business, breaking through barriers, or simply searching for your own path to greatness, Karen’s insights will remind you to trust your instincts, find joy in the process, and embrace the power you already possess. Prepare to walk away energized, inspired, and ready to craft your own version of success—one fueled by passion and built on your terms.