Nicole Stevenson
Vice President, Consumer Lending, PeoplesBank: Age 36
Nicole Stevenson’s career path didn’t arc toward banking at first; she majored in early childhood education, but after an internship, she decided that might not be the field for her.
“I was at a standstill, wondering, what’s my next career move?” she recalled. Fortunately, she secured a job with Hampden Bank as a teller, and something clicked. “I loved the interaction with customers, and every day was different — so I learned as much as possible and stayed with it.”
Now, as vice president, Consumer Lending at PeoplesBank, Stevenson still has a varied set of roles that keep those days from getting stale, directing consumer lending processing, internet origination, compliance, and loan servicing. With 17 years of banking experience under her belt, she has risen through the ranks with a steady series of promotions.
“I’m not seeing customers anymore, but I get to help people in a different aspect — more strategic, making sure they have the products they need, making sure they’re getting into their first home and have a seamless experience and someone to support them, making sure customers have the best experience at PeoplesBank and know we’re their partner along the way.”
Stevenson’s leadership extends well beyond the workplace. She currently serves as second vice president of the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, where she is also an active member of the fund committee and co-chair of the emerging leaders committee. She has also volunteered with Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, the West Springfield St. Patrick’s Committee, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee, the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, and Credit for Life in Springfield, where she served as a booth chair helping educate young people about financial literacy.
“I’ve always worked for community banks, and I’ve always tried to find institutions that align with the same values as me. So I’m glad to work at a bank that promotes time away from the office to volunteer in the community,” she explained.
Having worked with area Colleens for a decade, she said it’s been “so great to teach someone about Irish heritage but also support them as they navigate high school and college. And with the Boys & Girls Club, when I see how happy the kids are to be with their friends, playing basketball, doing arts and crafts, working in the STEM lab … it brings joy to my heart.”
—Joseph Bednar
