Clare Cusack
President & CEO, New York Bankers Association

Clare Cusack is the President & CEO of the New York Bankers Association (NYBA), the premier trade association for the banking industry in New York State. She is the first woman to serve as the Association’s leader in its 132-year history, tasked with guiding New York’s banks through “one of the most challenging and transformative periods in banking history.” 

As head of NYBA, Clare is proud to represent banks of every size, region, and charter across New York. Together as a unified industry, NYBA’s members employ nearly 140,000 New Yorkers, safeguard $2.4 trillion in deposits, and extend $78 billion in home and small business loans annually. NYBA members also support their communities through an estimated $200 million in community donations and 500,000 employee volunteer hours every year. From the smallest community banks through some of the largest financial institutions in the world- and everything in between- NYBA is there as a resource for members in supporting their ongoing service to their customers and communities.

Clare’s leadership and uncompromising advocacy on behalf of NYBA members have earned her multiple distinctions, including three-time recognition on City & State’s Power 100 list, designation in the same publication as a 2025 Economic Development Trailblazer, and selection as Chief Executive of the Year in 2024 by the NY Society of Association Executives. She was named an Economic Development Trailblazer by City & State magazine for 2025. Under her leadership, the New York Bankers Association was recognized as a 2025 Top Trade Association in New York State by City & State magazine. Clare was honored with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award, and was named to the Power Women of Manhattan 2025 list by Schneps Media.

Prior to her appointment, Clare served as General Counsel and COO for NYBA, overseeing the Association’s legal and operational matters, supporting each of NYBA’s divisions and areas including government relations, professional development, service provider partnerships, major industry events and legal and regulatory strategy. Before joining the NYBA team, Clare was an attorney with the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, focusing her practice within the securities litigation and regulatory investigation fields. She is a proud graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo and Fordham University School of Law.

Clare serves on the Board of Directors of Pursuit (formerly the New York Business Development Corporation) a Small Business Administration and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). She is also Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Geneseo Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that supports her alma mater. 

CEO, Primex3

Ty has held executive positions in the municipal, non-profit, and healthcare sectors. Ty holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor of Science from Granite State College. He is a member of the Leadership NH Class of 2013, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory. Ty completed the program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and holds the Associate in Risk Pool Management (ARPM) and the Associate in Risk Management for Public Entities (ARM-P) designations. He is the author of the books The Last Traverse: Tragedy and Resilience in the Winter Whites, Where You’ll Find Me: Risk, Decisions, and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova, and The Lions of Winter: Survival and Sacrifice on Mount Washington.

With over 27 years of international experience as a banker, business leader, and executive at the Financial Services firm Lloyds Banking Group, Théa has developed a deep understanding of the challenges individuals and teams can face. During her time in financial services, she developed profound expertise on the client and people side of the business. She now runs her own consulting firm, and her assignments have included work with prestigious organizations such as HSBC Bank, other global financial services firms, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her coaching clients include junior and mid-level women, as well as Executives. She also lectures on leadership and inclusive leadership at LIM College in Manhattan.

Théa is passionate about delivering positive change, inclusively, helping people realize their full potential in a supportive, safe environment. She works with integrity, engendering trust by reflectively listening and seeking to deeply understand her client’s needs. She’s committed to positive and lasting outcomes — supporting and enabling individuals and teams to successfully transform. Théa loves what she does and is deeply grateful to be able to pursue her passion for serving people, helping them be the best version of themselves every day. She has close to a decade of Board experience and is currently a Board Member of Arts for Learning, Connecticut, a non-profit charity with a mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.

Kelly Raskauskas - Moderator
Senior Managing Director, Sustainability, Government and Public Affairs, Webster Bank

Kelly leads Webster Bank’s sustainability strategy, ensuring it supports long-term shareholder value and meets evolving regulatory expectations. Kelly has structured Webster’s sustainability program to support transparency, strengthen risk management, and improve operational efficiencies.

Kelly chairs Webster’s cross-functional Sustainability Council as well as the Climate Working Group. She also oversees the bank’s federal Political Action Committee (PAC), aligning corporate advocacy with governance priorities.

A graduate of Harvard Kennedy School with a Master in Public Policy and a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Kelly brings a data-driven, strategic mindset to sustainability and public affairs.

AVP Community Outreach Officer, Ulster Savings Bank

Clarissa has been in the banking industry since 2012 and is a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley, currently living in Kingston, NY with her wife, two children and dog. She serves as the AVP Community Outreach Officer for Ulster Savings Bank and has experience in many areas of banking.

Clarissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pace University and is very involved in the local community volunteering and serving on multiple non-profit boards. Her passion is to educate the community through the bank’s financial education resources and empowering individuals to take their financial health into their own hands. 

Executive Vice President, Retail Community Banking, NBT Bancorp Inc.

Shauna oversees retail strategy and operations across more than 175 branches. She leads the company’s retail and business banking, consumer and home lending, marketing, product management, and provides executive sponsorship for NBT’s national recordkeeping business, EPIC RPS, headquartered in Rochester, New York.

With NBT since 2008, Shauna brings broad experience across finance, risk, and operations. She previously served as Chief Risk Officer and earlier as Corporate Controller. A CPA by background, Shauna brings deep financial acumen paired with a practical, people-first leadership style. She is known for driving innovation across retail banking while maintaining a strong commitment to relationship-based service, operational excellence, and community impact.

Samantha Diliberti
Vice President of State & Local Government Affairs, JPMorgan Chase

Samantha is a passionate, action-oriented New Yorker with deep experience across government, politics, and community engagement. She brings a strategic, results-driven approach to advancing policy and executing campaigns that achieve targeted outcomes.

As Vice President of State & Local Government Affairs at JPMorgan Chase, Samantha leads government relations efforts across five northeastern states—New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine. In this role, she works closely with elected officials and policymakers to shape legislation and regulation that support both the firm and broader economic growth.

Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, Samantha managed state and local government affairs for a 12-state region at Starbucks. She previously served as Director of Public Affairs at Statewide Public Affairs, where she represented a diverse portfolio including Fortune 500 companies, small business owners, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Earlier in her career, she was Associate Publisher at City & State NY, overseeing marketing and communications and leading the acquisition of New York Nonprofit Media, where she also served as interim Managing Editor.

Officer and Learning & Development Partner, Arrow Financial Corporation

JP is a Learning & Development professional with over a decade of experience designing and delivering high-impact learning programs across global and regional organizations. As Officer and Learning & Development Partner at Arrow Financial Corporation, JP oversees enterprise learning strategy, LMS administration, and partners with business leaders to design learning experiences that are both strategic and human-centered.

JP has held progressive roles at organizations including Nielsen, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and Adirondack Health Institute, building a reputation for designing scalable, results-oriented learning solutions. His background spans healthcare, technology, and financial services giving him a uniquely broad lens on organizational learning across industries.

Throughout his career, JP has been recognized for his ability to foster meaningful connections, engaging audiences in a way that extends well beyond the session. As a moderator, he brings a personal touch, facilitating discussions that are insightful and interactive.

First Vice President, Bank Operations, Ulster Savings Bank

A lifelong resident of Kingston, New York, Michael graduated from Kingston High School before earning both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from The College of Saint Rose through a dual-degree program.

His career in banking began at an early age when he joined Ulster Savings Bank at 14, where he was introduced to the value of hard work and accountability by his father, a tax preparer at the bank. He started in an administrative capacity and, by age 16, advanced to a teller role, gaining early exposure to customer service and core banking operations. He continued working part-time throughout high school and college, building a strong foundation in the industry.

In 2009, he transitioned into a full-time role in the collections department during the height of the financial crisis. This experience provided him with early exposure to loss mitigation, problem-solving, and navigating complex customer situations. It was during this time that he discovered a passion for leadership and team development.

Human Resources Business Partner, Pathfinder Bank

Stacey partners with leaders to strengthen the employee experience and support the overall health of the organization.

With nine years at the Bank, including experience across multiple roles, Stacey brings a strong understanding of both the business and the people behind it. Her work focuses on helping teams operate more effectively, improving communication, supporting leaders, and addressing challenges that impact retention, performance, and culture.

Stacey is known for her direct, honest approach and her belief that progress starts with transparency. She takes a people-first approach while keeping long-term impact in mind, ensuring decisions support both employees and the organization as a whole.

Vice President, Director of Human Resources, The Bank of Greene County

Megan is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose holding a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Human Resource Management. She also possesses the SHRM-CP certification.

Megan began her career in Human Resources working as a Human Resources Assistant for Macy’s in Herald Square and was later promoted to District Human Resources Manager for stores in Albany, Utica and Pittsfield. Megan then spent 13 years with the NYS Thruway Authority as a Training Specialist then was promoted to oversee the Training Department.

As a Catskill native, she was excited when she was provided the opportunity to join the Bank of Greene County in a newly created HR Generalist and Recruitment Manager position in April 2022. Megan was then identified as a successor for the Human Resources Department and was promoted Assistant Director of HR in 2023. Then was appointed as the Assistant Vice President, Director of Human Resources in April 2024 and then Vice President, Director of Human Resources in December 2025.

Tammy Garnes Mata
Head of Talent, Chief Inclusion Officer, Valley Bank

Tammy leads Valley Bank’s enterprise talent and inclusion strategy across talent acquisition, talent management, talent development, employee engagement, and inclusion and belonging. She partners with senior leaders to strengthen organizational capability, support professional growth, and delivers a consistent and effective employee experience across the enterprise. 

With a career spanning global financial services, Tammy brings deep expertise in employment law, workforce strategy, employee relations, and inclusion initiatives. Before transitioning into human resources leadership, she practiced employment law for fifteen years at a federal agency, leading national and regional law firms, and as in-house counsel. 

Tammy holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics and a certificate in Afro American Studies from Princeton University, and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.

Founder, In The Room Media

Skye Ostreicher, known in New York civic circles as “The Political Personality,” is the founder of In The Room Media, an experience-first advocacy firm at the intersection of politics, media, and culture. Through strategic storytelling, high-impact events, and candid conversations with public leaders, Skye helps humanize policy, elevate community voices, and build trust across government, media, and the private sector. In an era of declining faith in traditional media, her work is rooted in direct, authentic communication that brings more people “in the room where it happens.”

With more than a decade of experience in government affairs and political media, Skye served as a regional director on Mike Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. During the pandemic, she launched the Political Personalities with Skye interview series and created video verticals for Herald Community Newspaper Group, Schneps Media, and City & State. She is widely recognized for her candid, disarming interview style and for conducting hundreds of human-interest conversations with influential New York public figures.

Skye publishes the weekly Sundae Scoops newsletter on New York government, civic life, and culture, and is the founder of Style Across the Aisle®, a first-of-its-kind fashion show featuring elected officials modeling designs by local creators from their districts. She also serves on the board of WITNESS to Mass Incarceration, a Long Island City-based nonprofit that creates pathways to economic independence for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted youth through vocational training and entrepreneurship.

Evie Litwok
Founder & Executive Director, Witness to Mass Incarceration (WITNESS)

Evie walked out of prison in 2014 with no home, no money, and no support system. What she did have was clarity: no one should face what she endured, and people deserve the chance to be safe, housed, fed, and economically secure. From that conviction, she built WITNESS — an organization known for combining storytelling, leadership development, digital media, small business support, and workforce development to create economic pathways for justice-impacted youth.

The organization has developed an economic ecosystem, building one piece at a time. The MAP Project is the first online directory of formerly incarcerated and system-impacted–led businesses. WITNESS has also built a MakerSpace and Manufacturing Hub in Long Island City, for its vocational training program, The Art of Tailoring, teaches individuals from underserved communities the skills needed to pursue employment in the fashion and garment industry or start their own businesses. WITNESS is also developing WITNESSWorks, a human-centered digital platform that will allow individuals to register, document their work history, receive one-on-one support from WITNESS staff, be matched with employment opportunities, and receive continued follow-up and career support.

Evie is recognized for her ability to turn personal experience into public impact. She has spoken at the White House, SXSW, the LA LGBT Center, and universities including Georgetown, Harvard, and the University of Chicago. Her writing on life in prison, aging behind bars, and surviving solitary confinement has appeared in The Nation, TalkPoverty, The Forward, and other national outlets.

Vice President, Market Leader, Pioneer

Eli oversees 11 retail branch locations and leads teams focused on growth, talent development, and strong client relationships. With more than 20 years in banking leadership, Eli is known for building high-performing cultures that connect business results with community impact.

A passionate advocate for community partnership, Eli has consistently integrated volunteerism and nonprofit leadership into his professional journey. He has served in numerous board and committee roles, including Vice Chair of Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York; Immediate Past Chair of the Advisory Council and Past Chair of the Financial Development Committee for the Greenbush YMCA; and Board Member of Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York. His experience includes leading fundraising initiatives, special events, and capital campaign efforts that directly support mission-driven organizations.

Eli is also a founding committee member and Vice Chair of Capital Masquerade, a mentor with 518ElevatED, former co-chair of a major fundraising event benefiting Saint Peter’s Health Partners, and a volunteer teacher with Junior Achievement. His leadership and community service have been recognized with the Capital District YMCA President’s Award and Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 honor.

Eli believes that community engagement is a critical leadership muscle for bankers—one that strengthens teams, deepens relationships, and creates meaningful impact for both financial institutions and the communities they serve.

Clare Cusack
President & CEO, New York Bankers Association

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Founder, In The Room Media

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Mary Meisner
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, Chemung Canal Trust Company

Mary Meisner serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Chemung Canal Trust Company, a position she has held since January 2025. In this role, she is responsible for the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management framework, encompassing Compliance, Fraud, Cybersecurity, Internal Audit, Vendor Management, and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, supporting the Bank’s safety, soundness, and regulatory objectives. 

Ms. Meisner began her career at JPMorgan Chase, where she participated in the firm’s two-year Internal Client Services Analyst rotation program. During her second year, she completed a rotation in risk management within the JPMorgan Private Bank, establishing a career in enterprise and regulatory risk management.

 She joined Chemung Canal Trust Company in March 2017 as the Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering Officer and subsequently held positions as Regulatory Risk Manager and Senior Risk Officer before being promoted to Chief Risk Officer in 2025.

Ms. Meisner holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bucknell University and a Master of Science in Management from Keuka College. She maintains multiple professional certifications, including Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), and Certified Community Bank Risk Specialist (CCBRS).

Niall O'Hegarty
General Counsel, New York Bankers Association

Niall O’Hegarty serves as NYBA’s General Counsel. Before joining NYBA, Niall served as the New York State Deputy Secretary for Taxation and Financial Services, and prior to that as First Deputy Counsel to Governor Andrew Cuomo. In private practice, he served as a litigation Associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, and subsequently as Counsel in the Litigation and Government Law and Policy practices at Greenberg Traurig, where his work focused on representing financial institutions and insurers in litigation and regulatory matters