2026 Emerging Leaders Conference : Massachusetts Bankers Association

Dates

Thursday, October 15, 2026 - Friday, October 16, 2026

Time

3:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Location

2026 Emerging Leaders Conference Event Image

Invest in your future. Expand your network.

Develop the skills to lead.

After an incredible inaugural conference, we're excited to invite you to the 2nd Annual Emerging Leaders Conference, created specifically for the next generation of banking professionals who are ready to grow their leadership skills and advance their careers. Join us October 15–16 at the beautiful Newport Harbor Island Resort in Newport, Rhode Island, for two inspiring days filled with dynamic speakers, interactive breakout sessions, meaningful networking, and practical leadership development.

Featured Keynote Speaker

Chris Herren
Former NBA Player & Best-Selling Author

We're honored to welcome Chris Herren as our keynote speaker. A former Boston Celtic whose remarkable journey from professional basketball to addiction, recovery, and advocacy has inspired audiences around the world, Chris shares a powerful message about resilience, leadership, accountability, and making positive choices. His authentic and motivating presentation will challenge attendees to think differently about success, perseverance, and the impact they can have both personally and professionally.

Why Attend?

This conference was created in response to feedback from bank CEOs across New England who recognized the importance of investing in the industry's future leaders. They wanted more opportunities to develop emerging talent and this conference is the result.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, a new manager, or simply looking to grow professionally, you'll leave with fresh ideas, valuable connections, and practical tools you can put to work immediately.

What You'll Experience

Networking Opportunities
Throughout the conference, you'll have numerous opportunities to connect with fellow emerging leaders, experienced banking executives, speakers, and industry partners. The relationships you build may become some of the most valuable takeaways from the conference.

Thursday Evening Welcome Reception & Dinner
Your conference experience begins Thursday evening with a welcome reception and dinner overlooking beautiful Newport Harbor. It's the perfect opportunity to relax, meet fellow emerging leaders from across New England, connect with industry executives, and begin building the relationships that make this conference so valuable. By the time Friday's sessions begin, you'll already have a network of peers who understand the opportunities and challenges facing today's banking industry.

Friday Conference Sessions
Friday is packed with engaging sessions focused on the skills and trends shaping the future of banking. Topics include:

Leadership development and career growth
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Stablecoins and digital assets
Payments innovation
Fraud trends and prevention
CEO Panel featuring banking executives sharing career advice, leadership lessons, and insights into the future of the industry

Who Should Attend?

This conference is designed for emerging leaders throughout the banking industry, from bankers and associate members early in their careers to those stepping into new leadership responsibilities. If you're motivated to learn, grow, and expand your professional network, this conference is for you.

Group pricing is available. Please contact Meghan McCarthy, mmccarthy@massbankers.org

Developed by Emerging Leaders, for Emerging Leaders

This conference was thoughtfully designed by the Mass Bankers LEAD (Leadership Elevation and Development) Committee, a group of banking professionals committed to helping the next generation of leaders build the skills, confidence, and connections needed for long-term success.

Committee Members

Chair, Benjamin Lord, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Bluestone Bank
Emma Bargende, Commercial Credit Analyst, Coastal Heritage Bank
Shanna Cahalane, Chief Communications & Community Strategy Officer, SVP, Reading Cooperative Bank
Pia Cordes, AVP, Project and Core Banking Manager, MutualOne Bank
Ashleigh Cummins, VP, Strategic Initiatives & Implementation, Bluestone Bank
Chelsea Depault, VP, Commercial & Municipal Lender, Greenfield Co-operative Bank
Steve Hebner, SVP, Finance, Centreville Bank
Laura Hickson, Director of Financial Crimes Compliance/BSA Officer, Charlesbridge Group
Kyle Martin, VP, Director of Compliance, BankNewport
Jill Tremblay, VP, Commercial Banking Development Program Director, Bristol County Savings Bank

Registration Fees

Additional Registration from Same Bank

Early Standard Late

$495.00

Candy Bag Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$1500.00

Del’s Cart Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$2000.00

Dinner and Reception Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$2000.00

Headshots Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$2000.00

Notepad Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$2000.00

Power Break Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$1500.00

Refreshment Break Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$1000.00

Single Member Registration

Early Standard Late

$535.00

Single Nonmember Registration

Early Standard Late

$750.00

Wellness Bag Sponsorship

Early Standard Late

$1500.00

Agenda



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Thursday - October 15
3:00 pm
	Registration Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Check in, pick up your conference materials, and enjoy a refreshment while networking with fellow attendees before the opening session.
3:45 pm
	Welcome Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Matt Burke, Chairman & CEO at Cape Cod 5 and Treasurer, Mass Bankers Association
4:00 pm
	Leading Through Change: What Washington Means for the Next Generation of Bankers Sold Out! 0 Slots Left This Fireside Chat will explore how developments in Washington are shaping the future of banking and what they mean for the next generation of industry leaders. Kirsten Sutton will share insights on the evolving policy and regulatory landscape, emerging priorities, and how rising leaders can stay informed, adaptable, and prepared to lead through change. Kirsten Sutton, SVP, Global Government Affairs & Public Policy, RBC
4:45 pm
	Giving Emerging Leaders a Seat at the Table — Dimitrius Hutcherson, First Independence Bank Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Learn how First Independence Bank is investing in its next generation of leaders through a well-established emerging leaders program. Dimitrius Hutcherson will share how the bank is creating meaningful opportunities for emerging talent to engage with senior leadership, contribute to the organization, and prepare for future leadership roles. Attendees will leave with practical ideas and strategies they can bring back to their own banks to strengthen emerging leader development and engagement. Dimitrius Hutcherson, President, First Independence Bank
5:30 pm
	Reception Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Meet and network with emerging leaders from across New England in a relaxed setting. Enjoy drinks, light appetizers, and great conversation as you begin building valuable professional connections.
7:00 pm
	Dinner Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking Newport Harbor while connecting with fellow emerging leaders, banking executives, and conference speakers. The relationships you build around the dinner table may become some of the most valuable takeaways from the conference.
Friday - October 16
8:00 am
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8:30 am
	Future-Ready Leadership: Leading for Today and Tomorrow Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Do you have relevant leadership skills to guide your organization into the future? With historic levels of disruption and change reshaping the workplace, banking leaders must sharpen their abilities, expand their perspectives, and strengthen their mindset to meet today’s challenges—and tomorrow’s opportunities. Please join Melissa Furman, Career Potential LLC, for this engaging, interactive session that will uncover what modern, relevant leadership looks like and provide strategies to develop essential skills such as self-awareness, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and decision-making.
9:30 am
	The Future of Community Banking - CEO Panel Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Hear from a panel of community bank CEOs as they discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of banking. From technology and innovation to talent, leadership, and customer expectations, gain valuable insights into where the industry is headed and what emerging leaders can do today to prepare for tomorrow. Panel Matt Burke, Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Cape Cod 5 Hal Horvat, President, CEO, & Chairman of the Board, Centreville Bank Marianne Smith, President & CEO, Cape Ann Savings Bank Moderator Kathleen Murphy, President & CEO, Mass Bankers Assoc
10:15 am
	Refreshment Break Sold Out! 0 Slots Left
10:30 am
	Breakout Sessions Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Decision Making - Making Hard Decisions Faster As workplace environments and business landscapes continue to change, professionals are feeling the pressure to make hard decisions faster. This session contains reflection and assessment exercises to identify possible decision making challenges while providing practical tools to enhance decision making efficiency and effectiveness Melissa Furman, Career Potential LLC You Make the Call: Navigating Legal Crises Some of the hardest decisions a bank leader faces arrive with no warning or precedent. In this interactive session, attorneys from Nutter will put the audience in the CEO's chair and work through a series of fast-moving legal scenarios drawn from the real pressures and scenarios banks face today — a crisis unfolding at a branch, an unexpected demand from outside parties, a third-party relationship that fails at the worst possible moment, or a threat to the institution's reputation that escalates by the hour. In each instance, the right answer isn't obvious and the clock is ticking. This is a discussion, not a lecture. Attendees will be asked to make the call, defend it, and then analyze where the legal and regulatory risk actually sits, so they leave with a sharper instinct for the questions to ask and the reflexes to rely on when the decision can't wait. Presenters Matthew Hanaghan, Of Counsel, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP Daniel Hartman, Of Counsel, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP Kate Henry, Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP TBD
11:30 am
	Stablecoins & Tokenized Deposits: The Future Is Here – Harnessing the Onchain Opportunity Sold Out! 0 Slots Left Stablecoins and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are reshaping the future of financial services, and the recent passage of the GENIUS Act has created a new foundation for innovation. As the next generation of banking leaders, understanding these technologies isn't just for your IT or payments teams, it's becoming an essential leadership skill. This session will provide a practical overview of how we got here, explore new service and revenue opportunities, examine real-world use cases, and discuss what banks should be doing today to prepare for the future. Whether your institution becomes an early adopter or a fast follower, you'll gain the knowledge needed to participate in strategic conversations and help your organization navigate what's ahead. Brandon Quiterio, Senior Manager, Wolf & Company, PC
12:15 pm
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1:15 pm
	Emerging Technology for Emerging Leaders: What’s Here, What’s Next, and What Matters for Banking Sold Out! 0 Slots Left The future of banking is arriving fast. From artificial intelligence and robotics to quantum computing and the evolving cybersecurity landscape, emerging technologies are transforming how banks operate, compete, manage risk, and serve their customers. This session will look beyond the hype to explore what’s here now, what’s coming next, and what the next generation of bankers should be watching as they prepare to lead their institutions through the next era of banking. Anjelica Dortch, Vice President, Operational Risk & Cybersecurity Policy, ICBA
2:00 pm
	The Game Has Changed Sold Out! 0 Slots Left A standout athlete from Fall River, Massachusetts, Chris Herren fulfilled his dream of playing Division I basketball before reaching the NBA, including a season with his hometown Boston Celtics. But behind the success, he was battling addiction, a struggle that ultimately cost him his basketball career. In this deeply personal and honest presentation, Chris will share his journey from addiction to sobriety and the lessons he's learned along the way. His story is one of resilience, perseverance, and the power of second chances. Through real-life experiences, he'll remind attendees that it's never too late to pursue their dreams and that success requires hard work, discipline, resilience, and the ability to get back up after setbacks. Whether you're early in your career or preparing for your next leadership opportunity, Chris's inspiring story will leave you motivated to overcome challenges, embrace resilience, and keep pursuing your goals.

Speakers

Name	Organization	Speaking At
Anjelica Dortch <p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(238, 242, 246);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 16, 38);font-family:"DM Sans", sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:bolder;">Anjelica Dortch</strong> is vice president of operational risk and cybersecurity policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA). In this role, she advocates cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and operational risk-related legislation and regulations on behalf of the nation’s community banks.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(238, 242, 246);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 16, 38);font-family:"DM Sans", sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Prior to joining ICBA, Dortch served as senior director and head of global cybersecurity policy at SAP, where she oversaw cybersecurity, AI, and workforce policy portfolios. She also previously led the development of tech policy positions at IBM within the government and regulatory affairs team, focusing on AI cybersecurity, and intellectual property.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(238, 242, 246);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 16, 38);font-family:"DM Sans", sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Earlier in her career, Dortch spent a decade in U.S. federal service with various agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, where she served as a senior technology advisor under the Obama administration and the first Trump administration. During her tenure she coordinated key tech policy initiatives across the U.S. government, contributing to national strategies such as the 2018 National Cyber Strategy, the Presidential Executive Order on America’s Cybersecurity Workforce, the U.S. Federal Cloud Computing Strategy (Cloud Smart), and the Administration’s Report on Artificial Intelligence.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(238, 242, 246);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 16, 38);font-family:"DM Sans", sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0px;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">She holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Master of Science in financial management and information systems from the University of Maryland.</p>	ICBA	-
Brandon Quiterio <p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(252, 252, 252);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(64, 81, 114);font-family:Lato;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px 0px 18px;orphans:2;overflow-wrap:break-word;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;text-wrap:wrap;white-space-collapse:collapse;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Brandon is a Senior Manager in Wolf’s Assurance group, with over 10 years of experience providing financial statement audits and other assurance services to clients. He is responsible for managing a team of professionals to ensure that clients receive services tailored to their individual needs.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(252, 252, 252);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(64, 81, 114);font-family:Lato;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px 0px 18px;orphans:2;overflow-wrap:break-word;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;text-wrap:wrap;white-space-collapse:collapse;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Brandon has experience leading complex audit engagements for financial institutions and securities firms across the regulatory spectrum, including publicly traded bankers, de novo institutions, community banks, institutions subject to FDICIA requirements, and SEC registered broker-dealers. He stays current with evolving industry standards, such as regulatory capital requirements, broker-dealer net capital calculations, accounting standard implementation, and emerging fintech regulations affecting traditional banking and securities operations. Brandon’s client-focused approach has resulted in long-term relationships built on trust, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the industries he serves.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(252, 252, 252);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(64, 81, 114);font-family:Lato;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px 0px 18px;orphans:2;overflow-wrap:break-word;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;text-wrap:wrap;white-space-collapse:collapse;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Brandon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western New England University, a Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. He is also a graduate of the Connecticut Bankers Association School of Financial Management and maintains active memberships in relevant professional organizations. Brandon regularly participates in continuing education focused on banking and financial services.</p>	Wolf & Company, PC	-
Chris Herren <p>An extraordinary basketball player, Chris Herren was a celebrated star in his native Fall River, MA before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA – including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics – and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction. With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008, and he now shares his story with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of others. His recovery journey has been documented in the bestselling memoir, “Basketball Junkie,” the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded” and in countless local, national and international stories by The New York Times, The Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated, among others. Through Herren Talks, Chris has spoken to over 1 million students and community members, sparking honest discussions about substance use disorder and wellness. In 2011, Chris grew his vision of support for others when he founded the nonprofit Herren Project. Through the organization, Chris and his team empower schools and communities to make healthy choices, while also guiding families through recovery. In 2018, Chris also founded Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program that helps guests lead healthy, substance-free lives.</p>	Herren Talks	-
Dimitrius Hutcherson	First Independence Bank	-
Harold Horvat	Centreville Bank	-
Kathleen Murphy <p>Kathleen Murphy is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts Bankers Association, which represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the premier partner and trusted resource for the Commonwealth’s $602 billion banking industry.</p><p><br>With a career spanning state and national banking associations, Kathleen joined MBA in 2020 following twenty-one years at the helm of the Maryland Bankers Association in Annapolis. Before joining the Maryland association, Kathleen served as Director of Community Banking for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D. C. where she led the Association’s largest constituency group of community bank CEOs which influenced policy, education, communication and service strategies.</p><p><br>Kathleen’s earlier career highlights include working as Director of Communications for the Ohio Bankers Association and for Bank One in Columbus.</p><p><br>She serves on the Board of Directors of the BDC Capital Corporation and the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association (SBERA) and serves on the ABA Community Bankers Council and Mutual Bank Administrative Committee. Kathleen was elected by her peers to chair the State Bankers Association Alliance and in this role served on the Board of Directors of the American Bankers Association in 2010-2011. She also served from 2012-2019 on the Board of Trustees of Marietta College. Kathleen is recipient of numerous awards including the 2021 Marietta College Distinguished Alumni Award; 2019 Maryland Government Relations Association Community Service Award; the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2017 and one of fifty Influential Marylanders named by The Daily Record in 2009, 2014 and 2017 and inducted into its Circle of Excellence in 2017.<br> </p><p>Kathleen is a graduate of Marietta College in Marietta Ohio and has completed Executive Education courses at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Kathleen and her husband Mike are avid boaters and reside on Boston’s South Shore.<br>200</p>	Mass Bankers Association	-
Kirsten Sutton <p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="91" data-end="585">Kirsten Sutton is Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Public Policy at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.rbc.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="contents" data-content-reference-start="174" data-content-reference-end="204" data-state="closed">RBC</span></a>, where she leads engagement on key legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues affecting the financial services industry. She brings extensive experience in banking policy and advocacy, including senior leadership roles at the American Bankers Association, where she worked closely with policymakers and industry leaders on issues impacting banks and their customers.</p><p data-start="587" data-end="863" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">With deep knowledge of Washington and the evolving regulatory landscape, Sutton offers a valuable perspective on how policy decisions are shaping the future of banking and what emerging leaders need to understand as they prepare for the next generation of industry leadership.</p>	RBC	-
Marianne Smith	Cape Ann Savings Bank	-
Matthew Burke	Cape Cod 5	-
Melissa Furman <p>Dr. Melissa Furman has a rich academic background through studying business, counseling, and psychology and serving as the assistant dean at the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University. She also served as a faculty member at multiple esteemed universities including Johns Hopkins, Emory, UNC-Chapel Hill and Georgia Tech before hitting the streets to share her expertise. Throughout her experience, Melissa uncovered her true passion for impacting others through workforce, leadership and professional development resulting in the launch of Career Potential, a speaking, consulting, training, and coaching organization. Dr. Melissa Furman is recognized as a developmental expert who combines her credentials, 20 years of leadership experience, and results-driven approach to cultivate genuine connections with her audiences and clients. She tailors her delivery based on the needs of different audiences to effectively tackle tough subjects with refreshingly relatable humor and inspiring messages to take action. Through every service offered, Melissa’s main goal is to help professionals and organizations maximize their potential</p>	Career Potential LLC	-

Continuing Education

Hotel

The Newport Harbor Island Resort is the host hotel for this conference. The room rate will be $309/per room, per night for single or double occupancy. Attendees are responsible for booking their own accommodations and travel. Please click here to make your reservation. Room Deadline is September 21.