Recently, three senior leaders from Brookline Bank participated in a networking event to help mentor other women in the financial services industry: SVP & CRA Officer Jane Adler, VP & Senior Credit Officer Monica Paez, and SVP & Director of Corporate Credit Policy Maureen McCarthy. Mentoring is a passion for these leaders, who shared their thoughts about the importance of supporting other women in banking and financial services. Brookline Bank commends Jane, Monica, and Maureen and for their dedication to mentoring women to help them develop their professional skills and build their own personal networks.
Jane Adler
Intergenerational discussions are vital, as shared experiences reveal we’re not alone in our challenges. True progress is when we see balanced representation and diversity in senior roles. Until then, these conversations are essential.
When I am mentoring, I encourage my mentees to trust themselves and have confidence and to avoid imposter syndrome (when you doubt your own skills and success.) I do think that we need to help the next generation develop and succeed in their careers.
Women are continually going to be challenged until they are in the C suite and ideally when the room you walk into is 50 percent women and from diverse backgrounds.
When I hear stories from other women in the industry, of being excluded by men from meetings or social gatherings, I am shocked, but it is still a reality. It is important to share these stories with other women because it is really important to talk about these things and come up with ways to address them. You want everyone to feel like they have a voice and they can be heard when they go to work.
Women need mentoring events because they are actually networking events too. You meet people there and build relationships and looking for a new connection. Whatever stage you are at in your career, you always need a network.
Monica Paez
Connecting with women in banking, particularly in credit, has been transformative. Despite past challenges, building a supportive network and sharing our experiences has shown me the power of unity and mentorship. Together, we can overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable success.
I find that mentoring is not only beneficial to the women I am mentoring, it is also beneficial to me because I am also networking with them. It is so important to build support and a network of women throughout your career.
There is power in numbers and the more women who are seated at the table making decisions, the better off we are. Women are realizing that we can support each other, and we have power if we unite, which is significant. I feel that it’s my duty to help other women.
As a Latino professional, I also feel it is my duty to help immigrants who are trying to become established in a career. I have a strong sense of commitment to giving back to those who are trying to succeed.
Maureen McCarthy
Seeing the predominance of men in senior roles highlights the need for greater gender balance in our industry. 
As I approach retirement, I cherish the opportunity to share my experiences and provide guidance, always striving to foster positivity and openness among my peers. I am happy to help mentor other women who are in different stages of their careers, or just be there to listen to them. I encourage women who express frustrations with the workplace to be open and non-judgmental and try to give others a chance.
