Grace Pereira-Shelley

Chief Retail Officer
Webster Bank

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

Advancing and growing in the banking industry has required resilience, confidence, and a strong network of colleagues. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to lead a large-scale operation during a time of transformation. Rather than being deterred, I leaned into my frontline experience, using my understanding of banking center operations to deliver results. My focus then, and still today, includes collaboration and transparency, building trust with colleagues. I continue to embrace continuous learning, which has been invaluable, as adaptability and strategic thinking are powerful tools for success. My commitment to empowering others and creating programs like the Consumer Banking Career Development initiative have advanced my own career and also opened doors for others, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and progress.

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

Over the next five years, banking will become more digital, personalized, and sustainable, with a workforce and leadership focused on adaptability and strategic influence. I will contribute to them by leading, managing through the evolution, ensuring that we continue to be client and colleague focused. Investing in Customer Centric models, investing in the workforce by developing, investing, and recruiting the right talent to align with the current and future strategy.

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

I believe women make the most significant impact in consumer banking. This sector offers the opportunity to influence thousands of bankers, depending on the size of the organization. By setting an example of what can be accomplished as a woman leader, we inspire others to lead with confidence and pride. Impact is achieved through actions, advocacy, and mentorship — demonstrating that leadership is not only attainable but also transformative. When women lead in consumer banking, they create a ripple effect that strengthens teams, enhances client experiences, and fosters a culture of inclusion and growth.

Andrea Zubiate

Customer Success Manager
Sagent Lending Technologies

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

Throughout my career, I have worked in many different roles across the mortgage and banking industry, however something that was always consistent was the tangible difference women were making in pushing the industry forward — no matter their position. When women are provided with inclusive spaces for growth, there is nothing that they cannot do.

I work with many women across Team Sagent who each bring unique and innovative ideas and perspectives that are helping us on our mission to overhaul America’s mortgage servicing ecosystem. Without the perspective and skills of each and every woman in the mortgage and banking industry, we would not be where we are today.

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

Leadership is a collective force and something that is at its best when trust is built and growth is fostered. I come from a diverse background in mortgage servicing — having worked as a Help Desk Supervisor, Senior Client Relationship Manager, and Account Manager. Each one of these experiences taught me something and made me into a leader who is able to communicate across teams and think outside the box.

Today, I am Manager of Customer Success Management at Sagent, a team I built from the ground up. In this role, I not only lead Sagent’s Partner Success Team, but facilitate long-lasting relationships and forge success for Sagent customers and partners.

In everything I do, I prioritize being a reliable and respectful partner for growth. With a proactive and collaborative approach to leadership, I foster next-generation collaboration and push the industry forward.

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

While women continue to be underrepresented in the mortgage servicing and technology industry, I am proud of the path I’ve paved in my more than twenty years of experience, not only for myself but also for the women following in my footsteps. I have made it my mission to uplift the women around me and foster the next generation of great female leaders in mortgage and banking.

It is an honor to mentor the great female talent we have at Team Sagent and across the broader mortgage ecosystem, and to share my experiences in career development and navigating industry challenges.

I make it a priority to actively nurture inclusive spaces for growth to enable the women around me to recognize their potential and flourish.

JUDITH CORPREW

PRESIDENT AND CEO
NEW HAVEN BANK

Judith Corprew’s career has been guided by a powerful belief: that banking can — and should —be a force for economic equity and community empowerment. With more than 40 years of experience in financial services, Judith recently stepped into the role of President and CEO of New Haven Bank, Connecticut’s only certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) bank. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in a career defined by purpose, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to underserved communities.

Throughout her career, Judith has embraced a mission-driven approach to banking, using financial tools to help bridge economic gaps for underbanked families and small businesses. She has been a pioneering voice in financial literacy and access, spearheading consortium funds that provide emergency banking services and leading grant programs designed to support women-owned businesses across Connecticut. These initiatives have created tangible pathways to stability and opportunity for individuals and entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to financial access.

Judith’s leadership extends well beyond New Haven Bank. She currently serves as President of the Connecticut State Housatonic Community College Foundation, where she helps expand educational access and workforce development opportunities. She is also an active member of Black Women on Boards, advocating for greater representation and inclusive leadership at the highest levels of governance.

In recognition of her extraordinary dedication to community impact and financial inclusion, Judith Corprew is a recipient of the Sandra J. Pattie Award. Her work ensures that “banking for good” is not merely an aspiration, but a lived reality for the residents and businesses of New Haven — and a model for the future of community banking.

ANNE TANGEN

PRESIDENT AND CEO
BANKFIVE

We are honored to present the Sandra J. Pattie Award For Exceptional Leadership to Anne Tangen, a visionary who has redefined what it means to lead a community bank in the modern era. Since taking the helm of BankFive in 2020, Anne has masterfully balanced high-tech innovation with a “human-first” philosophy. Under her guidance, BankFive has been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts” and a “Top Place to Work” by the Boston Globe.

Beyond the balance sheet, Anne is a fierce advocate for professional development, recently overseeing the promotion of five women to the bank’s executive leadership team. Her commitment to the Southcoast community is unparalleled — from establishing a $1.2 million scholarship fund to her recent nomination to the American Bankers Association Board of Directors. Anne doesn’t just manage a bank; she champions a culture of inclusion and excellence that serves as a blueprint for the next generation of women in finance.