MONEY

NJ Bankers' Women in Banking Conference a hit

Bob Makin
@ReporterBMakin
From left, Amita Dass of Global Bankers Institute and Linda Eagle, co-founding president of Global Bankers Institute, before Eagle's presentation on communication at the New Jersey Bankers Association's Women in Banking Conference on April 22 at The Palace at Somerset Park in the Somerset section of Franklin.

FRANKLIN – New Jersey Bankers Association's Women in Banking Conference on April 22 at The Palace at Somerset Park in the Somerset section was an enlightening affair led by keynote speaker Cheryl Bonini Ellis of Ellis Business Enterprises.

Author of "Becoming Deliberate: Changing the Game of Leadership from the Inside Out," the former business executive turned-entrepreneur shared with women bankers from throughout the state the kind of insight she provides business leaders to help them achieve more and perform at higher levels.

A panel discussion, "Leading through Change: Lead Yourself and then Lead the Team," was sandwiched by a networking luncheon and breakout sessions. The panel included moderator Margaret Lanning, a Wells Fargo senior vice president of Credit Administration; Jarie Navarria, a Wells Fargo Business Banking Area senior vice president, and Elaine Rizzo, senior vice president of human resources at Investors Bank.

Left to right, Geri Kelly of Columbia Bank, chairwoman of the New Jersey Bankers Association's Women in Banking Conference, and Margaret Lanning of OceanFirst Bank at the New Jersey Bankers Association's Women in Banking Conference on April 22 at The Palace at Somerset Park in the Somerset section of Franklin.

Breakout topics included:

•"Forces Shaping Banking's Future" with Wendy L. Cama, engagement executive of Crowe Horwath; Emil D'Angelo, first vice president, Hudson City Savings Bank, and Maria Mayshura, vice president/internal auditor, Ocean City Home Bank

•"Don't Communicate Like a Girl: Relationship Building and Communication for Women" with Linda Eagle, co-founding president, Global Bankers Institute

•"Nutrition 101: Putting Yourself First" with holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco, The Power of Food Education.

Other speakers were Virginia Heyburn, vice president of Insights and Advocacy, Fiserv, who discussed "The Future is Now: Growing the Banking Franchise in a Mobile World," and Lisa Hetfield, associate director and director of development Rutgers University's Institute for Women's Leadership, who shared "Highlights of Women's Leadership in New Jersey Banking: Where Are We Now?"

New Jersey Bankers Association's Women in Banking Conference on April 22 at The Palace at Somerset Park in the Somerset section of Franklin.

Throughout the year, NJ Bankers has been raising money for Christine's Hope for Kids Foundation. The charity's founders, John and Jean Gianacaci, also spoke about the journey that lead them to form the foundation and how they have helped many children in need.

For more about Christine's Hope, visit http://www.christineshope.org/. For more about NJ Bakers, click https://www.njbankers.com/wcm/.

Staff Writer Bob Makin: 732-565-7319; bmakin@MyCentralJersey.com