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Know Your Strength
Recognize what you bring to the table and learn how to communicate your strengths with greater confidence and clarity.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
East Coast Career Builder Workshop
Welcome to East Coast Career Builder Workshop 2026
Wherever you are in your career, your next step deserves the right room. Join women from across financial services for a day filled with honest conversations, practical insights and meaningful connections designed to help you recognize your strengths, advocate for your value and move forward with greater confidence. Come as you are…and leave with new ideas, new relationships and renewed energy for where your career can go next.
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Date
Saturday
October 17th, 2026 -
Time
10:00 AM
to 4:00 PM -
Location
200 East Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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Hosted and Supported by:
Greenspoon Marder
Career Builder Workshop Success
This is a day to completely focus on yourself, your strengths, what you love, what you don’t, no doubts, full confidence, guards down, and learning new things in a relaxed, genuine atmosphere. You will be surrounded by people who are eager to see your success grow.
Claim Your Worth
Build the confidence to advocate for your ideas, contributions, opportunities, compensation, and next professional move.
Expand Your Options
Explore where your experience can take you next, whether you are growing within your current organization, considering a change, or still figuring out what you want.
AMA Session With Industry Leaders
Hear candid perspectives and ask the career and workplace questions women do not always get the opportunity to ask openly.
Build Your Influence
Strengthen your professional presence through authentic relationships, intentional networking, resilience, and a personal brand people remember.
Lead Forward
Learn what it takes to move beyond managing responsibilities and become the kind of leader people trust, respect, and choose to follow.
Stay Ahead
Understand how AI, virtual teams, and a changing financial services landscape are reshaping the way we work, lead, and build successful careers.
Find Your People
Connect with women across career levels who understand the industry, want to see one another succeed, and may become part of your professional network long after the workshop ends.
Meet Our Presenters
East Coast Career Builder Workshop 2026
Teresa have been in the financial services/debt relief industry for over 18 years and one of the first things I noticed about my industry was there were so few women in executive leadership. Over the years this dynamic has been evolving, but still not equal. With that we as women face different challenges in the workplace. Learning how to navigate through this and win at the end the day is tough. One of the many things I’ve learned is that the support and guidance from your peers makes the difference. I created Womens Financial Services Collective to be an exceptional group of women that come from the financial services industry that can share insights, guidance, and support for one another and to create opportunities through this network.
A dynamic figure in the accounts receivables management (ARM) sector, Sara is renowned as a compliance expert and operational strategist. In her role as Owner and President of ARM Compliance Business Solutions, Sara collaborates with organizations to instill compliant business practices through tailored consulting solutions. Her hands-on approach equips financial institutions with the tools needed to navigate regulatory examinations, mitigate litigation risk, and enhance the consumer journey.
Sara’s expertise lies in conducting comprehensive compliance risk assessments, crafting robust policies, managing service providers, and delivering executive-level training programs aimed at optimizing efficiency and minimizing risk for financial services firms.
Prior to founding ARM Compliance Business Solutions, Sara led the Compliance Services Department at Ontario Systems, LLC, where she provided consulting services to numerous clients, expanded service offerings, and emerged as a respected speaker at industry events. Her outstanding contributions earned her a nomination for the Compliance Consulting Team of the Year at the Women in Compliance Awards in 2020.
With a wealth of experience, Sara has held pivotal roles in various capacities, including Agency Third-Party Compliance Manager at National Credit Adjusters, LLC, and key positions at leading debt purchasers such as Asset Acceptance, LLC, and Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC.
Active in industry associations and advocacy groups, Sara holds the Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) designation and plays integral roles on committees with the Receivables Management Association International (RMAi).
In her multifaceted roles as Managing Partner/ Director of Content at Collections Certifications and Executive Director of insideARM’s Research Assistant, Sara continues to drive excellence and innovation in the debt collection industry.
Brooke is the Senior Vice President of Global Compliance and General Counsel for North America at Phillips & Cohen Associates. Prior to joining PCA, Brooke worked as the head of the legal and compliance department for a debt buying platform, was the lead attorney at a preeminent Creditor’s Rights law firm, and worked as an in-house attorney at two of the top five debt buyers in the nation. Brooke is heavily involved in the collections industry, previously serving as the Florida Creditors Bar President, Secretary of the Florida Small Claims Rules Committee, and is an active member of the Consumer Relations Consortium, ACA, and RMAi.
Outside of the office, Brooke is active in her community fundraising and volunteering for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Atlanta Humane Society, and LifeLine Animal Project.
Carri is a dynamic senior executive, published author, and purpose driven leader with more than two decades of experience leading high impact financial services operations. She is the author of Don’t Wish You Would Have, a powerful call to live and lead with courage, urgency, and intentional action.
As the former U.S. Head of Collections and Recovery at DLL Group and a Senior Vice President at Citizens Bank, Carri is known for building resilient cultures and developing high performing teams. Her leadership style blends operational excellence with emotional intelligence, creating environments where accountability, trust, and results thrive.
Her expertise spans collections and recovery, risk management, vendor management, compliance, performance analytics, and process optimization. She has led large scale transformations grounded in measurable growth and people first leadership.
Beyond her executive career, Carri channels her personal story into meaningful impact through Maddie’s Message, a nonprofit initiative honoring her daughter’s legacy and promoting furniture safety awareness. She also leads Candidly, Carri, a platform dedicated to empowering women in leadership to live boldly and lead with conviction.
At EverChain, Carri leads platform operations, client delivery, and vendor performance, ensuring scalable growth and exceptional client outcomes across the recovery lifecycle. Her commitment to courageous communication and transformative leadership defines both her career and her calling.
Katalina is a young professional currently in the role of Executive Vice President at Branding Arc, a marketing company dedicated to the receivables industry. While she has an extensive background in marketing, she is still a very new player in the receivables arena and is dedicated to developing a strong career.
Outside of her experience in marketing, Katalina has a very unique career path including working as a professional magician in Las Vegas, acting/modeling, and performing as a rent-a-princess for children’s parties. Outside of work, Katalina is passionate about horseback riding, writing, and paleontology.
Aleah is the founder of Willow Creek Partners, where she advises and builds growth strategies for organizations operating in complex, regulated environments. She brings deep experience in operations, partnerships, and scaling teams, with a leadership style rooted in accountability, transparency, and long-term impact.
In addition to her professional work, Aleah is the founder of the ANE Foundation, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to education and mentorship for today’s youth. Her work across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors reflects a commitment to ethical leadership, financial literacy, and empowering individuals with the tools to make informed decisions.
Aleah is known for her practical, people-first approach and her ability to bridge mission with execution, helping organizations grow responsibly while staying grounded in their purpose.
Wendy has built a distinguished career in the debt management and debt settlement industry, serving consumers with dedication and compassion since 1997. She began her journey as a Financial Counselor, quickly realizing she had found her professional home—one where she could guide individuals through financial challenges and empower them with the tools to rebuild their futures.
Over the years, Wendy has developed deep expertise in creditor engagement, debt resolution strategies, and consumer advocacy. Today, she serves as the Director of Creditor Relations at ClearOne Advantage, where she plays a critical role in maintaining and enhancing partnerships with original lenders, debt buyers, and collection agencies. Her leadership ensures high levels of satisfaction and strong resolution outcomes for the consumers the organization serves.
A champion for financial literacy and technology‑driven solutions, Wendy finds her greatest reward in leveraging innovative tools to support consumers on their path to financial stability. Her career is defined by a steadfast commitment to transparency, collaboration, and helping people regain control of their financial lives.
Jen Fante brings over two decades of leadership experience in the legal industry, combining strategic insight with a collaborative approach to drive operational excellence. As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Fante oversees the firm’s financial strategy, business operations, and organizational development, with a focus on process improvement and leveraging financial metrics to support informed decision-making and sustainable growth.
Prior to joining Greenspoon Marder LLP, Ms. Fante held a leadership role at a prominent mid-sized Florida-based law firm, where she played a key role in shaping firm-wide initiatives and enhancing operational performance. Her career has been defined by a commitment to innovation, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement.
A recognized voice in the legal community, Ms. Fante has spoken on industry panels and continues to contribute to conversations around leadership, strategy, and the evolving role of operations in law firms.
Ms. Fante earned both her Bachelor of Science in Finance and her MBA from the University of Central Florida. She remains actively involved with her alma mater through alumni engagement and mentorship programs, helping to guide the next generation of business leaders.
About The Workshop
WELCOME to The Third WFSC Career Builder Workshop, East Coast!
This Workshop was designed and created for Women in The Financial Industry. This Workshop space and entire day is a big welcome to new and mid-level professionals ready to experience a wealth of focused incomparable support for their professional and personal life found nowhere else. Why? The Womens Financial Services Collective combines over a Century of Exceptional Experience and Success collectively. Meet a roster of WFSC Members and Board Members alike ready to surround entry and mid-level women professionals with focused direction and support with one goal: to Make Great Change, Happen. If you’re a woman in the financial industry or any other career vertical, willing to take the initiative to create Lasting Impact with Legacy, this Workshop is for YOU!
- “I didn’t know if I was ready to take on this new position that became avail because I had doubts on a few things, but I knew I had the skills to learn and really make a difference.”
- “Wanted another opinion outside of my organization about an exciting opportunity, idea and scope of work on my plate. Would be great to have someone who has ‘been there done that’ to guage scale but with fresh perspective.”
- “So many things I want to do but I feel overwhelmed. Where do I start?”
- “The tools and knowledge I gained from this workshop helped me get the position I really wanted and I was able to advance my career.”
WHY ATTEND:
We’ve heard from so many women in our Industry with limitless energy, passion and potential to change the debt and collections landscape for the better. Great ideas are great ideas. But great ideas will never come to fruition with just one person. This Workshop is a Work-Room open to every professional ready to glean next-steps for next-level success, fulfillment and professional development. Bring all pain points and exit this workshop with wise professional-pointers, guidance, and solutions. We’re excited to see you. Invite that person who just also crossed your mind!
Hosted and Supported by:
Greenspoon Marder, LLP
Gratitude to Robby H. Birnbaum
Topics
Figuring Out Your Own Strengths
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Teresa Dodson
Teresa Dodson
AMA – “Ask Men Anything” Male Perspective within The Financial Services Industry
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Teresa Dodson
Teresa Dodson
Advocating for Your Worth
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Sara Burton
Sara Burton
Exploring Your Career Options
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Brooke Teal
Brooke Teal
Growth Through Reflection
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Carri McQuerrey-Funk
Carri McQuerrey-Funk
The Networking Playbook
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Katalina Dawson
Katalina Dawson
Navigating the AI Frontier
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Aleah Heath
Aleah Heath
From Manager To Leader
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Sara Burton
Sara Burton
Managing a Virtual Workforce
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Wendy Hicks
Wendy Hicks
Reviewing Your Career in Financial Services
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Jen Fante
Jen Fante