From as young as 10 years old, when I orchestrated an informal summer camp for neighborhood kids in my backyard for $0.25 each a day, my life has been about family, a deep commitment to helping others and finding outlets for an enduring spirit of entrepreneurship.
For many years, I thought I would follow in my parents’ footsteps and run the French restaurant they founded together in Montreal, the city where I was born and raised. I worked there from a young age, waiting tables at 13 and initially studying for a hospitality degree. But I switched to a business degree and began a career in banking after learning a longtime customer at my family restaurant was the CEO of a bank who suggested I consider a job as a teller. From there, I became a branch manager, then a regional manager and eventually earned my MBA from the University of Montreal.
I’ve called Worcester home since 2021. It’s such a vibrant and engaging community. My amazing daughter and I have relocated in January of that year as she was offering a scholarship to play her favorite sport at one of the local boarding schools. Yes, I am a hockey mom and this is a huge part of my life been a mom, recently divorced our life had taken a turn for the better and Worcester community was so welcoming and made us feel right at home. Every day I am thankful and bless for who I am as a woman, mother, sister, friend, coworker, I credit my mother with being the role model I’ve followed all of my life. She taught me the importance of hard work, setting goals, helping others succeed and treating everyone like family. My daughter Gabriella is my biggest inspiration, she is so resilient, vibrant, caring, loving, smart and show me that is ok to fall and to get back on your feet, she gives me the courage and the strength to work harder everyday no matter what the outcomes will be.
As a Vice President of financial wellness coach and Relationship Manager/ My Banker at Berkshire Bank. I have been in the finance and banking industry for over two decades. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Montreal. I have over the years and life experiences built a wealth of expertise around financial concepts and wellness. My passion is to help people thrive financially and live their best life and
how to navigate their next big financial decision. I love the teaching aspect of what I do so much that I also teach financial literacy at some of the local organizations like Clark University through the Small Business Development Center.
Q: Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
As a Vice President of financial wellness coach and Relationship Manager/ My Banker at Berkshire Bank. I have been in the finance and banking industry for over two decades. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Montreal. I have over the years and life experiences built a wealth of expertise around financial concepts and wellness. My passion is to help people thrive financially and live their best life and how to navigate their next big financial decision. I love the teaching aspect of what I do so much that I also teach financial literacy at some of the local organizations like Clark University through the Small Business Development Center.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
This one will be a hard one as they are too many to list them all ,but if I was to start my day I will most definitely stop at BirchTree Bread Company and grab a bacon honey bun and a nice cold
latte then at noontime, I will stop at NU Kitchen and eat my favorite acai bowl. I will finish the day with copious meal at Bocado Tapas Wine Bar and have one of their best charcuterie boards.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
I will say my mother. Every day she amazes me by her loving, caring, affectionate, funny, smart, clever personality. She is my rock.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Greece for its exquisite beaches and the Mediterranean culture.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I will say I don’t have a go-to band. I diversify my music by the day and my mood.
Q: What is your best advice?
Be kind: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be generous and smile to make a difference in someone’s day. Love yourself: Self-love is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Learn something new every day.
Q: What are the top three on your Bucket List?
Driving cross country in the U.S. and Canada in an RV, walking a half marathon, and getting my dream home on a lake.
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch, and why?
Definitely Michelle Obama.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Definitely retired and spending my time between my lake house and my home in the south, while maintaining my volunteerism in my community.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I played basketball in college.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safe, welcoming, loving.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Worcester, or something unique that you love about the city?
Big city with the feel of a small town.
Q: What is your favorite smell?
Lavender.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My daughter.
