Chelsea Groton Bank team members graduated from the Center for Financial Training (CFT), the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s (Chamber ECT) Leadership Program, the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce (GNACC) LEAD Program, and the Connecticut Bankers Association’s (CBA) Connecticut School of Finance and Management (CSFM). Team members also completed additional schooling and earned professional certifications in various concentrations.
Through the Center for Financial Training (CFT), Dee Houde, Customer Care Team Lead, earned an Advanced Financial Services Diploma and Intro to Consumer Lending Certificate, and Megan Susi, AT, Customer Solutions Manager in Salem, completed the Introduction to Financial Services Operations. CFT provides professionally administered banker education and training that continually meets the educational needs of employees in the financial services industry throughout our geographic market.
Bank graduates of the Chamber ECT’s Leadership Program were Luisanna Tineo Cabrera, Retail Loan Originator, Penni Harlow, AVP, Customer Solutions Manager in Mystic, and Mario Siciliano, VP, Technology Operations Manager. The program prepares promising leaders for positions of responsibility by acquainting them with significant community processes and pressing issues. Participants engage in discussions with established leaders, go behind-the-scenes at the region’s key institutions, build their leadership skills, create a lasting network of contacts, and give back to the community.
Renee Simao, AT, Talent Acquisition Manager, and Tori Thomas, Customer Solutions Assistant Manager in Center Groton, completed the GNACC LEAD Program in 2022. The program helps develop knowledgeable, committed, and action-oriented leaders. Participants from diverse backgrounds and different perspectives enhance their existing leadership skills and gain a better understanding of themselves and their role in the community.
Alysha Yepes, AT, Customer Solutions Manager of the Norwich-Westside branch, and Ana Healy, AT, Retail Administrator and Skills Coach, graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management (CSFM). The primary purpose of CSFM is to provide an opportunity for key employees of Connecticut’s banking industry to obtain a broader knowledge and awareness of banking theory, practices and procedures, capital markets and management functions which will be of substantial value in their preparation for new and greater responsibilities at or within the management level. The two-year program is designed to increase the knowledge of students in their own specialties and at the same time introduce them to a wide range of banking topics. The program helps students develop a broader perspective of the industry, a more enlightened view of their own bank and most importantly, a better awareness of their individual capacities.
Katherine Allingham, SVP, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, completed the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundational Risk Management School; Kelly Meakem, AVP, Digital Banking Operations Manager, became an Accredited ACH Professional; and Jennifer Willingham, AVP, Cash Management Officer, completed COCC Cash Management University.
Professional certifications were also earned by Chelsea Groton team members: Kelly Allard, FVP, Loan Servicing and Lending Compliance Manager – Mortgage Compliance Professional Level 2 and School of Mortgage Banking Level 1; Christina Caplet, VP, Security Manager – ICBA Bank Security; Sarah Duval, AT, Risk Management Specialist – ABA Operational Risk Management; Tam Higgins, FVP, Human Resources Manager – Lee Hecht Harrison Coaching; Beatriz Lawler, Accounting Assistant – Bookkeeping Basics; and Damen Norton, AVP, Lending Compliance & Encompass Administrator – KensieMae Administrator.
“At Chelsea Groton, we provide employees with many opportunities to continually learn and develop themselves, both professionally and personally,” shared Kristin Zummo, SVP, Director of Strategy and Organizational Development at Chelsea Groton Bank. “In addition to the Grow, Launch, and Lead leadership programs offered internally at the Bank, many team members pursue additional opportunities offered through area chambers of commerce, local or online universities, various banking schools, and in their specific field to further their learning, develop professionally and provide our customers with the best experience.”
