2025 Northeast Women In Banking & Mortgage

Meet the women shaping the future of banking and mortgage leadership

2025 Northeast Women In Banking & Mortgage

Fanita Borges

Affordable Residential Sales Manager,
Liberty Bank

Fanita Borges

What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?

Some of the challenges have been credibility, expectations, and the limited representation of women in senior roles. I’ve focused on building strong relationships and learning from others to gain credibility. I’ve held many roles in my career, and before taking a new position, I ask myself three questions: Can I commit? Will I add value? Do I believe in the mission? If my answer is yes to all, I will go in ready to take on the challenge. I’ve been in banking my entire career and have only worked for two women at SVP levels. One of the best things I did to gain exposure to what ‘women leaders’ look like was to join professional development organizations.

How do you define leadership, and how has your leadership style evolved over the years?

Leadership is recognizing you cannot achieve success on your own. It’s about building trust and relationships and valuing diverse perspectives to enable others to be a part of the success. The path to leadership is different for everyone. You have to be willing to learn, to fall and pick yourself up, to carry others, and sometimes let others carry you. I’ve been extremely lucky to have amazing mentoring from my leaders who have invested time to grow my skills and who also possess many of the core values and beliefs I share.


Kelly Crone

First Vice President — Residential Mortgage Officer,
Thomaston Savings Bank

Kelly Crone

Kelly Crone is a visionary leader in the mortgage industry. As first vice president — residential mortgage officer at Thomaston Savings Bank, she manages a team of 12 employees and oversees pricing, processing, underwriting, and closing for all residential mortgage applications. Her leadership has driven the bank’s success, including enhanced secondary market sales administration.

Crone spearheaded transforming the bank’s first-time homebuyer programs, creating the First-Time Homebuyer Plus Program to expand accessibility for low- and moderate-income (LMI) borrowers. She also introduced an Internal Down Payment Assistance Program, enabling borrowers to finance 100% of their home purchases. Under her leadership, these initiatives have facilitated over 940 loans totaling $145 million, making homeownership more attainable.

Beyond her role, Crone actively serves her community. She is a board member of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury and the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA). She contributed to the 2024 CMBA Mayors’ Forum on affordable housing and expanded CRA credit eligibility through partnerships with the Housing Development Fund.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, Crone joined Thomaston Savings Bank in 2015 and has led transformative projects like the Consumer Connect digital portal. Her efforts positioned the bank as the top lender in its assessment area in 2023.


Cheryl Galloway

AVP Community Development Officer,
Bristol County Savings Bank

Cheryl Galloway

What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?

As an Afro-Latina woman in this industry, one of the most unique challenges is walking into spaces where no one looks like me. Representation matters, and it use to feel isolating and discouraging at times. I would often feel the needed pressure to outperform as I combatted stereotypes and biases others may hold. I overcame this role by embracing my identity and being my “genuine self.” Now, as I walk into the room, I am honored to be in that space, not looking for affirmations or approval but understanding that someone needs to be in the spaces to assist and open the doors for others to walk through.

Which sector of the banking and/or mortgage industry do you believe women make the most significant impact?

Women significantly impact various banking sectors, but their influence is particularly notable in various areas, including my community development department. Within community development, I can excel in building relationships and fostering trust within various communities. I can assist in nurturing partnerships and understanding my community needs. I also play a critical role in assisting in bridging a gap in homeownership by educating first-time homebuyers and underserved communities. This role is also important in continuously developing programs that assist in financial literacy, an additional area that can create change in underserved communities.


Courtney Graham

Chief Marketing Officer, Chief People Officer,
Princeton Mortgage

Courtney Graham

What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?

One of the unique challenges I’ve faced as a woman in this industry is not always being the loudest voice in the room. Being more soft-spoken, I’ve had to find ways to make my presence felt without competing for volume. I learned to lead with preparation, clear communication, and results, ensuring my contributions spoke louder than my voice ever could. By focusing on consistency and results, I’ve earned respect and proven that leadership comes in many forms.

How do you define leadership, and how has your leadership style evolved over the years?

Leadership is about inspiring others to achieve a shared vision while fostering an environment where they can thrive. Early in my career, I thought leadership meant having all the answers and directing every step. Over time, I’ve realized it’s more about listening, empowering, and adapting. My leadership style has evolved to prioritize empathy and understanding, recognizing that people perform their best when they feel valued and supported.

I’ve also learned the importance of adaptability — being able to pivot strategies or approaches while staying true to the core mission. I’ve built trust and accountability within my teams by focusing on clear communication and leading by example. Today, I see leadership as a balance of guidance and collaboration, where success isn’t just about achieving goals but also about helping others grow and reach their potential along the way.


Hanan Hanna

CEO,
Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC)

Hanan Hanna

Hanan Hanna’s journey to trailblazing industry leader is a story of resilience, determination, and transformative leadership in the mortgage industry. Originally from Egypt, she overcame language barriers and cultural adjustments to pursue her dream in the United States. With a passion for helping families achieve homeownership, Hanna worked her way from entry-level roles to founding her own national mortgage company, distinguishing herself as one of the first female CEOs in this field.

Hanna’s career is marked by strategic innovation, particularly her focus on addressing gaps in mortgage services for underserved communities, including immigrants and minorities. By creating a client-centered, inclusive company, she has set a new standard for diversity in mortgage lending.

Her influence extends beyond her professional success. She is deeply committed to giving back, championing educational programs, and mentorship initiatives that empower women and minorities to navigate careers in finance and mortgage. Hanna’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion have fostered a culture of growth and opportunity within her organization and the industry.

Recognized for her visionary leadership and dedication to fostering homeownership and community empowerment, Hanna has made a lasting impact. Her journey exemplifies the power of perseverance, compassion, and innovation, solidifying her legacy as a transformative leader.


Sheila King-Goodwin

SVP Chief Community Banking Officer,
Fidelity Bank

Sheila King-Goodwin

What changes or advancements do you hope to see in banking and/or mortgage over the next 5 years, and how do you plan to contribute to them?

I hope to see significant advancements in making financial services more accessible and empowering individuals and businesses with the knowledge to use financial services effectively. I envision a banking and mortgage industry where access to financial tools supports families and businesses, fosters generational wealth, and drives sustainable economic growth in our communities.

To contribute to this vision, I plan to focus on building stronger community connections by targeting organizations and groups that would benefit from financial education. I aim to give them the clarity and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions. Through workshops, partnerships, and tailored outreach programs, I aim to create a ripple effect where financial literacy becomes a cornerstone of economic empowerment for businesses and families.

Which sector of the banking and/or mortgage industry do you believe women make the most significant impact?

I don’t believe there is just one sector within the banking and mortgage industry where women have made the most significant impact. Women have been pivotal across every sector—from retail banking to corporate finance, wealth management, compliance, technology, and mortgage lending. Their contributions shape the industry at all levels, whether driving innovation, enhancing customer experiences, or leading with empathy and collaboration.

Even more exciting is that women’s impact continues to grow as they take on more leadership roles, break barriers, and champion inclusivity in the industry.


Susana Neves Coito

Vice President, Sr. Mortgage Loan Office
BankFive

Susana Neves Coito

What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?

When I first started, I was a single mother with two children and limited childcare. I chose to make more as a marketing strategy. I would take them to first-time buyer events and have them pass out flyers. I would have them stuff envelopes. I would take them to open houses and drop off information. My daughter would say, “If you are buying a home, you need to see my mommy first.” She would carry my cards with her, and she was only seven. Everyone knew me and my children.

What changes or advancements do you hope to see in banking and/or mortgage over the next 5 years, and how do you plan to contribute to them?

I hope there will be more women in banking, especially leadership positions. Women need to see that raising children and a family plus working full time is not a weakness but a strength. They can use that strength in their jobs and build success. I plan to teach financial classes at battered women’s shelters so that they can have financial freedom and learn about banking. Hopefully, some will also look into a banking career to help future women.


Marie O’Brien

Partner / Director of Compliance,
Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson LLP / Mortgage Quality Management & Research LLC (MQMR)

Marie O’Brien

Which sector of the banking and/or mortgage industry do you believe women make the most significant impact?

Women continue to make significant contributions across various sectors of the banking and mortgage industries. Corporate culture is one area in which women have made and will continue to make a significant impact. Often, women drive cultural changes within organizations by promoting policies that prioritize work-life balance, employee well-being, diversity, and inclusion. These efforts often have long-term effects on individual companies and the industry as a whole and lead to attracting fresh and diverse talent, which in turn, will boost fair lending efforts organically.

How do you define leadership, and how has your leadership style evolved over the years?

Leadership is the ability to influence, guide, and/or inspire individuals or groups toward a common goal or vision. It involves making decisions and motivating others to maximize their efforts toward that common goal/vision.

I have worked in various settings and with various colleagues and partners, some of whom have stood out as true leaders and impacted how I choose to lead today. Specifically, I learned that to be an effective leader, I need to inspire others through my actions and work ethic while also actively listening to the needs and opinions of others. Fostering a positive work environment that encourages growth and helps individuals realize their potential is critical. I have also grown to understand the importance of providing constructive criticism to improve an individual’s performance without discouraging that individual.


Tammy Reynolds

Executive Managing Director, Deposit Operations,
Webster Bank

Tammy Reynolds

Tammy Reynolds is a transformative leader in banking, overseeing 100 colleagues managing Webster Bank’s deposit, digital, and payment operations. With over 18 years at Webster Bank, Connecticut’s largest bank with $60 billion in deposits, Reynolds has been a driving force behind its success. Starting as a bank teller, she rose through the ranks with determination and an innovative mindset.

A career highlight came in 2023 when she played a pivotal role in the core system conversion between Webster Bank and Sterling National Bank following their merger of equals. Her expertise ensured a seamless integration of two distinct deposit and technology strategies, successfully transitioning hundreds of payment functions while supporting frontline colleagues.

Beyond operations, Reynolds has significantly impacted her team and community. As a past leader in the Webster Women’s Network, she championed respect and inclusion, creating programs and events that empowered colleagues. Outside of work, she volunteers with The Pink W.A.Y. Foundation, supporting over 200 breast cancer patients and survivors through fundraising and event planning.

Despite early career obstacles, her journey from teller to senior leader exemplifies perseverance and dedication. She credits her success to hard work and instills the same principles in her team, coaching them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

With her leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to empowering others, Reynolds stands out as a trailblazer in the banking industry and a mentor to many.

This article was originally published in Mortgage Women Magazine, during the week of January 2025.
About the author
Published on
Jan 13, 2025
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