North Shore Bank Invests Inward to Expand Bank’s Community Support

In its 100th year, North Shore Bank is celebrating the second year of success through the bank’s Community Engagement Managers (CEM) program that has yielded new community programming as well as developed staff skills and expertise in building a vibrant community where they serve.

The program, facilitated by NEWaukee, regularly brought together hand-selected North Shore Bank leaders from across the bank’s eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois footprint to collaborate on ways to expand the bank’s presence in the communities it serves. The initiative allowed North Shore Bank to grow deeper relationships in its markets, create more community partnerships, and invest and develop its team in the premise and value of community engagement.

“This anniversary year especially, I think it’s crucial that we evaluate our community programming, presence and initiatives so that we, as a bank and as employees, are continuously evolving to best meet the needs of our communities for the next 100 years,” said Craig Witz, vice president of retail banking at North Shore Bank.

The Community Engagement Managers program resulted in the evaluation and creation of signature community programs for the bank, including the return of Southside Dining Week in the Milwaukee market, the You Can Happy Hour Meetup, and the Welcome Party in communities like Germantown, Muskego, Kenosha, downtown Milwaukee, and Green Bay. The program also was a success with employee participants reporting increased confidence in their communication skills, improved collaboration skills, and a greater sense of belonging.

Community Engagement Managers participating in this most recent program were employees Ray Guardiola, Erica Hughes, Danielle Hansen, and Stephanie Ruiz. Bank District Manager and VP Cristen Baumann assisted in the program as mentor.