The 1998 Norwich Native Daughter was Norah O’Brien Hughes. She was born in Norwich, Conn. She received her bachelor’s degree from Cushing College in Brookline, Mass., in 1970 and her master’s degree from New York University, New York City, in 1972. Mrs. Hughes had a long career in the financial industry, working for a number of banks and Wall Street firms. In September 1991, she joined the Sumitomo Bank Ltd. to become president of a newly formed subsidiary, making her the highest-ranking female in the Japanese banking industry. In September 1997, Mrs. Hughes was promoted to chairman of Sumitomo Bank Securities Inc. She was also on the board of directors of Sumitomo Bank Capital markets, as well as, Sumitomo Bank Leasing and Finance Co. She was a registered representative of the New York Stock Exchange and held various securities licenses. Professional memberships included The Bond Club of New York, Financial Women’s Association, Women’s Economic Roundtable and The Woman’s Bond Club of New York. She had been recognized in Who’s Who of American Women for the past six years. Mrs. Hughes participated in The Executive-In-Residence program at The Lubin School of Business, Pace University, in New York City, and had been a member of its Advisory Board since 1992. Mrs. Hughes was involved in various not-for-profit organizations. She was a founding director of The Women’s Venture Fund, a micro-lending and advisory organization that assists low to moderate-income women establish their own businesses.
She had also been an advisor on special projects to Catalyst, a non-profit research and advisory organization that works with business to effect change for women.
Mrs. Hughes passed away in 2005.