Kathryn Settipane, 39

At the age of 16, Kathryn "Kathy" Settipane was working as a part-time employee at Savings Bank of Walpole, where she organized loan files. This job would eventually lead her down a path manicured with professional and community achievements and make her a figurehead of success. By blending banking expertise, leadership and a passion for helping our furry friends, Settipane's work has benefited both her company and the broader community of the Monadnock Region. After her first job with the bank, Settipane went on to work at the West Street, Keene, branch in a part-time teller position, occasionally covering the Marlboro Street branch, while completing high school at Keene High. She continued to work there through her college years at Keene State, where she graduated with a bachelor's in safety studies. She quickly grew to become a retail banker, giving her experience she took to positions at various institutions — Bank of America as a teller operations specialist, C&S as a demand planning analyst, Liberty Mutual in a senior inside auto claims representative role, UNFI as a billings specialist and People's United Bank in a senior CDD/EDD analyst role. A whisper about a new role at Savings Bank of Walpole four years ago marked a significant turning point in her career path. "When I heard of a leadership position at SBW, I knew I was ready to come back home and show how much I had grown," the Swanzey resident, 39, said via email. Flush with experience from her previous leadership roles, Settipane rejoined Savings Bank of Walpole as the operations officer. In this new position, she oversaw the Customer Support Center and Electronic Banking Services and Deposit Operations teams, leading them through a core conversion for the bank — a lengthy process that involves updating or changing a company's software for all major transactions and functions. Following the project's success, Settipane played a pivotal role in developing the Customer Support and Electronic Banking Services team to become the new Customer Resource Center. Here, her title transitioned to Customer Resource Center officer, and the CRC became a part of N.H. Mutual Bancorp. NHMB is a shared services organization that gives operational support to three independent mutual savings banks, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Merrimack County Savings Bank and Savings Bank of Walpole, and NHTrust, a financial advisory and trust company. Soon after, Settipane was promoted to her current title of assistant vice president, Customer Resource Center officer. Her growth potential was evident as far back as her loan-filing role, and in nominating Settipane as a Trendsetter, Julie Tewksbury, Savings Bank of Walpole's former senior vice president, praised her transformation over the years. "I had the pleasure of working with Kathy until my retirement and it was a true delight to see her grow from a sweet, young high school girl to a confident professional woman ready to roll up her sleeves and make a difference in the lives of others," Tewksbury wrote. Noting her accomplishments, which included relocating the CRC from the Savings Bank of Walpole location on Marlboro Street to a non-branch location on Kit Street, Settipane mentioned that she's "enjoyed all of the ups and downs along the way." Other colleagues attribute her success to being extremely organized, which she acknowledges. "I was born this way. Outlook is pretty much my best friend," she quipped, "and there is something to be said when you look at your list and see everything crossed off." Her prowess goes beyond banking practices though — she follows a deep passion for animal well-being. This drive led her to a position on the board of trustees for the Monadnock Humane Society, where she has the distinction of being the youngest member. "I have always had a love for animals, including my own two fur babies Archie and Edith, so as you can imagine, I was very excited when I was allowed to be on the MHS Board and collaborate with many others who also share a strong passion for providing the wellbeing of animals," she said via email. Using her tandem leadership roles at both the Savings Bank of Walpole and the humane society, Settipane said she has actively brought collaboration between the entities. This includes leading Savings Bank of Walpole to support events like the humane society's Walk for Animals and its Hairball fundraisers. She emphasized the encouragement she receives from both SBW and N.H. Mutual Bancorp. Looking toward the future, Settipane aims to support and develop her team at the CRC while maintaining her role as a board member of the humane society and assisting other local nonprofits. And with several accomplishments behind her and likely many more to come, it's evident her journey has not been just about success. It's about the positive impact one can have on both professional and community landscapes. Inspiring the next generation of leaders to blend ambition with compassion, creating a balance between career achievements and community service, she leaves us with this bit of advice: "Have patience, embrace feedback, don't be afraid to ask questions and be confident. You got this!"