LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc., a subsidiary of People’s United Bank, N.A., and People’s United Bank, announced the launch of a new Women in Leadership Chapter (WIL) in Philadelphia, PA, where LEAF is based. This marks People’s United’s 11th Women in Leadership Chapter, which now totals more than 1,500 employee-members.

Women in Leadership is a large group of dedicated Bank employees organized into regional chapters and is part of People’s United’s and LEAF’s ongoing strategy and vision to embrace and celebrate diversity among employees. The mission of WIL is to promote diversity and inclusion and build stronger relationships – through women and for women – to spark collaboration, foster relationships, promote personal and professional development, and partner with communities across the Northeast, and nationwide.

The Philadelphia Chapter joins 10 other chapters throughout People’s United Bank’s footprint, and is led by co-leaders Michelle Speranza, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at LEAF; Sandy Graydus, SVP, Corporate Operations at LEAF; and Donna Emhart, SVP Corporate Banking at People’s United Bank.

The kick-off meeting of the Philadelphia Chapter was held on Sept. 12, with an introduction by the chapter leaders and People’s United Bank co-chairs Amy Le Blanc Hackett and Madlyn Lapides, followed by “Walking the Line: Gender, Communication and the Double-Bind,” a 90-minute interactive presentation by Dr. Terri Boyer of Villanova University.

“Our first event for Women in Leadership Philadelphia was a huge success,” said Speranza. “I am passionate about giving women in our industry a platform to make their voices heard and resources to support them in reaching their professional goals. Women in Leadership offers both, and I am proud to be part of bringing this extraordinary program to Philadelphia and is yet another way LEAF is fostering collaboration among our clients, communities and employees.”