Member Spotlight – October
Ariel Michelle Stein
Certified Financial Planner™
Argentum Financial Partners
Education/Alma Mater: The George Washington University
Morning News Sources: Up First Podcast, NPR & Your Money Briefing Podcast, WSJ
Hometown/Current town: Avon, CT
How long have you worked in your current position? 6 1/2 years
Did you have a job that might surprise people? Yes, I did ecology research on catfish diversification and evolution in college through the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. My team’s research paper was published in the scientific journal, Ecology Letters.
What do you value most about CWC? Professional connections and getting to know wonderful, impressive women in CT that I wouldn’t come across normally
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? What Would Lizzo Do?
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Find a mentor and be patient. After going through training, you may think you “know it all” but time and experience can’t be replaced. Having multiple mentors to help you along your journey, to go to for advice and guidance, is invaluable.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? The first time one of my clients, after a review meeting going over his whole financial plan, at the end of the meeting sincerely thanked me for him being able to retire. It’s a small moment, but it was very powerful to see for the first time the true impact what I do has on my clients.
First Job in high school: Tennis Instructor
Dream Job (besides current): Sommelier/Vineyard owner
Bucket List Item: Eat at Osteria Francescana
Hobbies: Avid thriller/mystery/suspense book reader, anything Disney and/or Harry Potter related, love traveling, spending time with my dog, trying new restaurants and exploring local vineyards and breweries
Favorite Sports Team: Denver Broncos
TV Character most like you: Sansa Stark
Vacation Spot: Aruba
Favorite Movie: Cinderella III
Marianne T. Stowell
Vice President and Relationship Manager, Commercial Lending
Berkshire Bank
Education/Alma Mater: Westfield State University
Morning News Sources: HBJ Online, CT News Junkie
Hometown/Current town: Bolton, CT
How long have you worked in your current position? 6 ½ year at Berkshire Bank. My whole career has been in banking, gulp since 1989.
Did you have a job that might surprise people? Not really, was a cocktail waitress in college.
What do you value most about CWC? The warm welcome I remember getting at my first event and it really made me realize how wonderful CWC was/is. I really value the varied backgrounds of the women who belong. It makes it a special group.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? A tiger never changes it’s stripes.
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Always offer to help out and be a team player. Be willing to get training when offered and if you are looking to become a lender finding a bank that offers a credit training program would provide a significant edge in moving ahead in the industry.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? Outside of my family, my proudest achievement would be obtaining my Bronze medal as a dressage rider. Something I had hoped to get for 20 years and I managed to get the scores I needed 4 years ago. It is a process and took two different horses to get as it spans 3 different levels. I still smile thinking about it.
First Job in high school: Big Y cashier/bagger
Dream Job (besides current): Getting paid to ride horses.
Bucket List Item: Would love to visit the pyramids, but probably unlikely.
Hobbies: I own two horses. I would say it’s more of a way of life than a hobby though!
Favorite Sports Team: Depends on what season. Red Sox and Patriots!
TV Character most like you: Years ago there was a show with Cybill Shepherd call Cybill and there was a character named Maryanne on it ironically. She always had a drink in her hand and reminded me of me (before I stopped drinking)!
Vacation Spot: Canandaigua NY – Finger Lakes Region
Favorite Movie: If I’m honest Grease. I loved, loved the Star is Born Remake with Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Very powerful.
Member Spotlight – September
Anne DiSorbo
Operations & Compliance Manager
New England Capital Planners, Inc.
Education/Alma Mater: BS from University of Connecticut and MST from University of Hartford
Morning News Sources: New York Times (digital) and Morning Brew
Hometown/Current town: Born in Buenos Aires, raised in Hartford, currently live in Burlington
How long have you worked in your current position? 9 years
Did you have a job that might surprise people? I worked as a travel agent for a Charter travel company during breaks in college.
What do you value most about CWC? Meeting and getting to know such wonderful, polished, professional women!
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Do not live beyond your means.
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Being organized and detail oriented are critical for success.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? My three handsome sons.????
First job in high school: Working in the shoe department at Bradlees Department Store.
Dream Job (besides current): Tour operator and tour guide
Bucket List Item: Touring Asia
Hobbies: Skiing, golfing, biking, fly fishing, reading
Favorite Sports Team: Patriots and Red Sox
TV Character most like you: Elaine Benes—except I can dance!
Vacation Spot: Anywhere, but I love the mountains.
Favorite Movie: Too many to list but one that stands out in my mind is “Dances with Wolves”.
Briann Greenfield
Executive Director
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
Education/Alma Mater: Ph.D. American Studies, Brown University
Morning News Sources: The New York Times, Morning Briefing
Hometown/Current town: Gilmanton, NH/New Britain, CT
How long have you worked in your current position? One year
Did you have a job that might surprise people? People are often surprised that I left my position as a tenured Professor of History, but I’ve valued working in both the academy and the nonprofit sector.
What do you value most about CWC? The chance to meet women outside of my immediate professional circles.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Learn how to say “no.”
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Always keep learning.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? Writing a book
First Job in high school: Seasonal agricultural laborer on a blueberry farm
Dream Job (besides current): Curator of Beer (it’s a real job at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History)
Bucket List Item: Read any unread books on my bookshelf
Hobbies: 4-season vegetable gardening
Favorite Sports Team: I know nothing about team sports!
TV Character most like you: Lisa Simpson
Vacation Spot: The woods
Favorite Movie: I’m more of a TV person—currently, rediscovering Veronica Mars.
If you missed the July Member Spotlight, you can find it here.