Speakers | Women Lead Symposium

Caroline Carpenter, President and CEO, National Bank of Middlebury

Caroline Carpenter has been President and CEO of National Bank of Middlebury since 2015. She is the first female president of the bank since incorporation in 1831. Prior to becoming president, she served as Executive Vice President of the bank and Technology Manager. She serves on the board of directors of NBM, is the Executive Vice President of Middlebury National Corporation, and the chair of the Community Financial Services Group board.

Caroline Horty Dickerson, CEO and Treasurer, Commonwealth Trust Company

Caroline Horty Dickerson is the Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer of Commonwealth Trust Company as well as a member of its Board of Directors. Caroline has more than twenty years of experience in the area of trust administration and taxation. Caroline’s expertise has been instrumental in guiding the company’s growth, focusing on building strong client relationships and providing personalized trust services.

Wendy Cai-Lee, President and CEO, Piermont Bank

Ms. Cai-Lee started her banking career at JP Morgan Chase over 29 years ago. She is currently the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Piermont Bank, the first full-service FDIC-insured, tech-forward, digital commercial bank in the U.S. Piermont is the country’s first FDIC designated Multi-racial Minority Depository Institution and a women-led, women-majority board and women-owned bank. Ms. Cai-Lee is the first Asian woman to launch a U.S. commercial bank and takes great pride in financing minority and women-owned businesses.

Megan M. Collins, Senior Vice President, Market Executive, Bank of America

Megan Collins is a Senior Vice President and Market Executive for the Midwest Middle Market Team at Bank of America. Based in Chicago, she leads a team of banking professionals covering General Industries companies across the State of Illinois. Her team is responsible for providing advisory solutions and servicing the needs of Illinois-based companies within our Middle Market space.

McKayla Hollis, Assistant Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager, Essex Savings Bank

McKayla Hollis is the manager of Deposit Operations and BSA Officer at Essex Savings Bank in Essex, Conn., after starting in 2013 as a part-time teller. She loves her role as BSA Officer, as she enjoys investigating and learning customer stories.

Jennifer Huffman, Senior Vice President, Workplace Solutions Relationship Manager, Atlantic Union Bank

Jennifer Huffman is an accomplished American businesswoman and the Senior Vice President of Solutions Banking at Atlantic Union Bank, the largest regional bank in Virginia. With a strong focus on delivering financial wellness solutions, she is committed to empowering employees to build financial confidence through workplace financial benefits. Recognized as a "POWER BROKER," Jennifer's influence extends beyond banking; she is a highly sought-after speaker and a thought leader in her field.

Carrie Lackey, President and CEO, Taylorsville Savings Bank

Carrie Lackey is a seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership experience in the financial services industry. As President and CEO of Taylorsville Savings Bank, she has guided her organization through strategic growth, operational excellence, and a steadfast commitment to regulatory compliance. Under her leadership, the bank has strengthened its market position, expanded its service offerings, and cultivated a culture of innovation and integrity.

Julie G. Laperouse, President, Screaming Peacock

Expert trainer and facilitator Julie Laperouse challenges and energizes clients through leadership courses, public speaking, executive coaching and people strategy from her company Screaming Peacock. She’s worked with organizations and banks of all sizes, including Gulf Coast Bank.

David Pease, Senior Vice President and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Bangor Savings Bank

David Pease is Senior Vice President - Director of Talent, Diversity & Inclusion at Bangor Savings Bank. His HR career spans 40 years in business, healthcare, academia and corporate America. David is the former State Director of Maine SHRM and has received the Maine HR Leader of the Year, Kenneth Curtis Leadership Award from Maine Development Foundation for his state-wide leadership contributions and selected the Unsung Hero of the Year by PROPEL for creating a safe and inclusive work culture.