Board Members

Nolita Myerson has been in the financial industry for nearly 20 years; with experience ranging from retail banking, servicing private wealth management client relationships in niche international investments. In her current role at BNY Wealth as Regional Head of Client Experience; Nolita leads the client service teams in over 15 major cities across the Central, Northwest, Southwest and Southeast regions. These offices service ultra-high net worth individuals, families, endowment and foundations. Nolita has served on the Chicago Financial Women board as Director of Events for 5 years before taking on the role of President in the fall of 2020.

LaMichelle Hecht is a Certified Public Accountant with 7 years of experience in accounting services including auditing, tax preparation, grant management, financial analysis, and more. She holds a MBA with emphasis in Finance from Anderson University and a BS in Accounting degree from Saint Joseph’s College. She is the owner of a small accounting firm, Overhead Solutions Group.

In her role as Treasurer, she is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, reviewing procedures for the budget, financial reporting, and advising on fundraising.

Samantha Bonamassa is a securities attorney and has held roles such as Chief Compliance Officer and Interim Chief Compliance Officer for SEC-registered investment advisory firms, “Of Counsel” for law firms, and has worked for various securities compliance consulting firms. Samantha launched her own firm, Coast to Coast Compliance, which provides a wide range of compliance consulting services for investment advisers, private funds, broker-dealers, and other financial services organizations.

As Secretary, Samantha is responsible for assisting the President in setting the agenda for the board, maintaining the minutes and maintain that the board acts with the mandate of the organization’s bylaws.

Nora Darvirris is a Product Manager with experience in the Chicago FinTech industry and a passion for creating engaging and impactful experiences. She is originally from Massachusetts, where she attended UMass Lowell for her bachelor’s degree. Her background includes a focus on Project Management with an earned CAPM certification, Operations, and self proclaimed office “Director of Fun”. Outside of work, she enjoys networking, activism, and exploring innovative technologies.

As Director of Marketing & Events, Nora leverages her expertise to plan and organize dynamic events that foster connections and support the mission of Chicago Financial Women.

Seeks sponsors and individual donations to increase our endowment for charitable giving. Actively shares sponsorship package, meets with donors, and provides insights on what we should incorporate in our benefits to increase appeal.

Works with the Director of Events in event planning. Event planning includes establishing dates and topics, arranging for speakers, reserving the event site, and coordinating food, drink or catering (when in person), creating zoom event link for remote events and hosting. Event planning includes budgeting, coordinating name tags, set-up, check-in, establishing dates, reserving the event site, develop a theme or motif for the event, arranging for speakers, coordinating location support and catering/ wine etc. Communicating the details with the board for approval on the event fee and actively marketing the event to assure good attendance. Uses NFP form to purchase food and beverages as not taxed.

Updates and monitors event logistics (Eventbrite, MailChimp, Zoom, etc.) to assure event items are covered and assigned. Works with Director of Event and fellow event committee members to assure tasks are executed against or ask for assistance as needed.

Works Directly with the Director of Marketing. Markets our organization and upcoming events. Content creation for our social media platforms. Connect with other companies, media, and other organizations to include our web link and information with its employees to widen our exposure, sends our list of
events and pdfs out to market us. Obtains other venue spaces at corporations that can sponsor our event and allow us to use.
Reviews the CFW website monthly to assure correct and current information is displayed and is working properly. Provides website updates with information to post events, oversees the posting, takes pictures to post. Connecting and establishing relationships with other related organizations to co- chair events.