Each month, we profile a few BWF members of the community in our "Member Spotlight" series.  This month, meet Erica Fotta & Mary Ellen DeWinter.  Get to know them a bit better!

Erica Fotta
COO, ETF & Index Investment Management
BNY Mellon Investment Investment
BWF Member

What was your favorite BWF program to date?  And key takeaways?

As a relatively new BWF member (I joined in Q1), I have been impressed with the quality of the panelists for each program. Notably, last month's discussion on Navigating the CARES Act was not only timely, but the panelists presented a complicated topic in a very easy to understand manner.  

What is your #1 WFH tool?

I am a huge advocate of using video tools to connect with clients and colleagues. My experience is that virtual face-to-face meetings (1:1 or in small groups) help strengthen personal relationships. It also allows you to gauge reactions and be more aware when others are trying to contribute to the conversation. Add in the ability to share documents real-time and video can be very effective.  

Something you are most proud of in your career?

Watching the colleagues who I mentored over the years advance in their careers makes me incredibly proud. Their myriad accomplishments aside, it is those who have matured into humble, considerate leaders who I most admire and know will leave a similar legacy for others to follow.

What’s your latest binge watch?

One of my favorite binge watches was the BBC series Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch. Most recently, with two sons unexpectedly home from college, our latest family binge watch has been Family Guy!

Connect with Erica on LinkedIn!

Mary Ellen DeWinter
Advisor, Paragon Fund Services
BWF Board Member

Your most memorable BWF program to date?  And key takeaways?

BWF’s recent program on Managing and Collaborating with Remote Teams was a timely and relevant topic given this time of our country’s pandemic.  This program reinforced the importance of trust, teamwork, communication and being flexible, both within and beyond one’s regular scope of responsibility, to successfully address dynamic business opportunities.   

What is your #1 WFH tool?  

Zoom has become a much more essential tool in addition to an updated process to better track the status of evolving client projects in a more effective manner.

Something you are most proud of in your career? 

I am proud of leveraging my diverse experience across different industries to help firms/organizations achieve their goals and objectives.

Best read lately?

Given our current times, two books that I have read recently and would recommend are as follows:

“How Will You Measure Your Life”, by Clayton M. Christensen  and “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni.   They provide a great perspective for both personal and professional success.   

Connect with Mary Ellen on LinkedIn 

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Special thanks to both Erica & Mary Ellen for participating in this monthly feature & of course for your continued support of the BWF community!

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming BWF Member Spotlight, please reach out info@bostonwomeninfinance.org.