March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate, we honor the women of Eastern’s internal employee network, the Women’s Interest Network (WIN). The group is led by women colleagues, for women colleagues, of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, and their allies. WIN’s mission is to collaborate, connect, support, network and inspire working women around career, family and community themes.

We are excited to introduce three remarkable members of WIN and what inspires them to do all that they do:
 

Isis Ortiz-Belton (Vice President, Commercial Banking Portfolio Manager) – “Don’t dream your goals…speak them into existence”

Center: Isis Ortiz-Belton (Vice President, Commercial Banking Portfolio Manager) with members of Association of Latino Professionals for America and Eastern Bank colleagues celebrating her recognition as a 2023 Leading Women honoree by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.
 

As a Latina in financial services, early on in her career, Isis Ortiz-Belton rarely saw women who looked like her, especially women in leadership roles. According to her, it is one of the main reasons she decided to pursue a career in financial services; she wanted to bring a new perspective to the field and set an example to other young Latinas who may follow in her path.

Now as a banking professional with over 14 years of experience, Ortiz-Belton credits mentorship as central to her success in advancing her career. Within her strong network of mentors, she has been able to learn from other Latina leaders who have already paved the way and provide a guide for leading with intention, pride and conviction.

Ortiz-Belton has also promoted the value of mentorship in her community, by strongly advocating for the education and financial literacy of students of color and the rights of women, BIPOC and those identifying as LGBTQ+. She is the immediate past President for the Boston chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), and she volunteers regularly, giving back as a board and/or committee member to organizations advancing impact for underserved communities, including Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence and Raising a Reader Massachusetts.

Ortiz-Belton is grateful for the community of women at WIN who have similar lived experiences in financial services. She said, “WIN has created a sense of community and belonging, and provided a platform for programming that highlights issues specific to women and is a resource for women’s empowerment where our contributions are celebrated, and where allies are welcomed to support and advocate for us.”
 

Trinh Ho (Vice President, Branch Manager, Dorchester, MA) – “Push to belong”

Far left: Trinh Ho (Vice President, Branch Manager, Dorchester, MA) with the Eastern Bank Dorchester branch team.
 

Trinh Ho, a Vietnamese immigrant, finds inspiration from her mother, especially in her professional endeavors. Ho learned from her the importance of competitiveness, a strong work ethic and discipline. Entrepreneurship and a knack for business run in Ho’s family. Some of her early childhood memories are of helping her mother at her flower stand outside of Boston’s North Station. Her childhood inspired her to obtain a Master’s degree in International Business, with banking coming to her by accident. As a Branch Manager, she considers her ease in connecting with customers and offering solutions to their needs as a testament to her upbringing and education.

It wasn’t long after she started at Eastern that Ho joined WIN, at the kind encouragement of her manager, Senior Vice President and Retail Regional Manager Rana Murphy. “When I joined WIN, I quickly learned about a community of other fellow professional women, and that I was not alone,” said Ho. “Members pushed me to speak up and grow, including by participating in the Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Program and recently taking on a new co-chair role at Eastern’s employee network, the Asian American Professional Collective. Both opportunities have opened doors for my own professional development and aspirations.”
 

Maura Hurley (Vice President, Customer Service Manager) – “Pull diamonds from the women who inspire you”

Top right: Maura Hurley (Vice President, Customer Service Manager) working in the Customer Service call center with Donna Tattle (Problem Resolution Specialist).
 

For Maura Hurley, uplifting women and providing the next generation with a positive working environment were integral motivators for joining WIN. An artist by education, Hurley did not anticipate a career in banking, and found a sense of purpose and community in customer service, a field she values for its collaborative, fast-paced nature.

As a leader in her department with over 30 years of experience, Hurley still finds value in the tips and advice – “diamonds” – she received from fellow women managers early on in her career and has passed them along to her team no matter how they identify. She values managing people for who they are, especially women, by guiding their professional growth with authenticity. For example, to create a sense of community, she establishes a cadence of monthly reports, so her team can share and celebrate their accomplishments and feel proud of their work. “Community is so important for any person’s success,” says Hurley. “By sharing accomplishments and pain points alike, a necessary trust is built allowing individuals, as well as a team to collaborate and pivot with ease.”

In closing, let us carry forward these valuable insights and sources of inspiration for supporting women’s empowerment during Women’s History Month and beyond.