Each year, the CFTEA Spotlight Award recognizes board leaders who make an outstanding contribution to CFTEA and their community. This year, that recognition carries deep meaning.
The 2025 CFTEA Spotlight Award and Leaving a Legacy Award were presented posthumously to Mary Swift, former CFTEA Board Member, who passed away this past summer.
Mary was a true beacon of inspiration. Her positivity, warmth, and tireless dedication left a mark on everyone she worked with. She was scheduled to co-present with CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer, on bringing CFTEA courses in house to promote affordability, flexibility, and employee engagement. It would have been her third year presenting at the Leaders Conference, a tradition she helped shape through her thoughtful insights and enthusiasm. In fact, she provided her portion of the presentation well ahead of schedule so it was ready to go. This was her final gift to CFTEA.
Mary’s influence lives on through the programs she supported, the colleagues she encouraged, and the example she set as a leader and a friend.
We were honored to have her valued co-workers from Kennebunk Savings, Mike Moloney, SVP and Chief Culture Officer, and Valerie Hale, Training Manager, accept the awards on her behalf. It was a touching moment of reflection and gratitude as old friends came together to honor a woman who gave so much of herself to others.
Mary Swift will always be remembered as a guiding light within CFTEA and beyond.
To read Mary’s personal story, please see her article – The Lasting Impact of CFTEA – A Story from Board Member, Mary Swift