American Banker will honor HarborOne Bank’s Maureen “Mo” Wilkinson with the annual Community Impact Award next week as part of the magazine’s 2016 Most Powerful Women in Banking program on Oct. 6.
Wilkinson, the Vice President of Community Education and Community Reinvestment Act officer at HarborOne Bank, directs HarborOne U and oversees HarborOne’s industry-leading community outreach initiatives that have reached more than 14,000 people primarily through small business, financial education and personal enrichment courses.

American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking recognizes the professional achievements and influence of the top-performing female executives in banking and financial services. The annual program is now in its 14th year. The Community Impact Award honors a female executive who has had a significant impact on bettering her community through her work.

“Brockton is a working-class town with a high minority population, and it was hit particularly hard by foreclosures in the wake of the financial crisis. HarborOne’s response to that is instructive for all banks,” said Bonnie McGeer, Executive Editor of American Banker. “Maureen Wilkinson oversees the initiative it launched back then and continues to build on it. The powerful – and quantifiable – positive impact her efforts have on the community impressed us. It is our honor to acknowledge her work with this award. She is very deserving.”

A veteran banking leader, Wilkinson has spent over three decades working at credit unions across the country. She joined HarborOne in 2009 after successfully merging the Brockton-based financial institution with Attleboro-based Nations Heritage Federal Credit Union, where she served as President and CEO for six years. At HarborOne U, Wilkinson builds partnerships and directs programming and staff at its two locations in Brockton and Mansfield.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized with the Community Impact Award for the terrific work that HarborOne Bank has been doing for nearly a decade through HarborOne U,” Wilkinson said. “For six years, I have been fortunate to be able to work directly with people who want to find the ways to realize their dreams – from starting their own businesses to owning their own home. I’m very proud of the ways that HarborOne U has been able to connect with residents of all ages and I look forward to exploring new opportunities for HarborOne Bank to make an impact in our region.”

As HarborOne’s CRA Officer, Wilkinson manages all community reinvestment initiatives and is responsible for the related data collection, analysis, reporting and recommendations. She leads the bank’s annual self-assessment process and CRA Committee Meetings with Management and the Board of Directors. Wilkinson will also be the Treasurer and Secretary of the HarborOne Foundation, created in 2016 as part of the bank’s capital expansion.

In 2015, Wilkinson launched a multi-class series at HarborOne U to equip small business owners with key financial tools for running a successful business, while also providing access to seed funding from HarborOne Bank to launch or expand their business. More than 200 business owners have participated in the HarborOne U’s Success for Small Business program. HarborOne U also continues to be a key organizer for the Credit for Life Fair held at Brockton High School – the longest-running financial education fair in Massachusetts – and at Credit for Life Fairs around the region, teaching the basics of personal finance and financial management to students.

Wilkinson has been instrumental in building successful collaborative partnerships between HarborOne U and several nonprofit partners including NeighborWorks Southern Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, the Center for Women & Enterprise, Bridgewater State University, and Stonehill College.

“Maureen Wilkinson is a dedicated leader and everyone at HarborOne Bank is incredibly proud to see her many accomplishments recognized through the Community Impact Award,” said James W. Blake, President and CEO at HarborOne Bank. “Supporting community development is part of HarborOne Bank’s identity and under Mo’s compassionate and inspired leadership, HarborOne U continues to grow and expand into new areas of need in the Brockton region. She has found creative ways to build partnerships and open doors that lead to impactful and thoughtful community outreach that reaches Massachusetts residents of all ages. Mo is a terrific asset to HarborOne Bank and to the region and we look forward to seeing HarborOne U continue to thrive under her stewardship.”

Wilkinson earned an Executive MBA from Loyola University, Maryland and serves as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees for her alma mater Anna Maria College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree.

About American Banker 
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