Knowledge Center
From Personal Banker to Executive Vice President: Shari Kruzinski’s Commitment to WSFS and Others Drives Success
educating-myself | Read Time: 3 minutes
By Kyle Babcock | Published: July 2021
Shari Kruzinski’s career can be defined with one word: commitment.
Kruzinski has remained dedicated to WSFS and her fellow Associates, her Community and the success of women throughout her more than 30-year career at the bank, one that began as a Floating Personal Banker at age 19.
“I had just relocated to the area and was looking for an opportunity, when I landed my first role at WSFS,” Kruzinski said. “Being a Floating Teller allowed me the opportunity to meet and work with, and for, a wide variety of people, learning something from each of them as a young professional looking to forge a career in retail banking.”
As a Personal Banker she quickly embraced her role in understanding Customers’ needs, providing Customer service, processing transactions and providing the appropriate products and services to meet their financial goals.
Her love for the pace of the bank and the Customers, as well as motivating Associates and building teams, has helped her go from her start as a Personal Banker to what has blossomed into an amazing career.
“In 1995, I was tasked with leading the successful effort to open banking locations within supermarkets,” Kruzinski said. “From there I continued to climb the corporate ladder, working as retail leader in charge of establishing WSFS’ presence in Southern Delaware, leading the overall retail effort and market strategy for the bank’s expansion to Southeastern Pennsylvania and more.”
Kruzinski’s passion, grit and determination, as well as her commitment to the success of others has seen her take every challenge head on – from leading the definition and roll out of a retail-wide sales management process in 2016, to helping integrate new Associates and drive positive outcomes throughout the Beneficial Bank acquisition, to guiding WSFS’ retail strategy throughout the pandemic to continue serving Customers while keeping them and her fellow Associates safe.
“I’ve worked side-by-side with WSFS Associates at every retail level and it gives me credibility when I ask them to do something that is hard,” she said. “I believe in putting the needs of our Associates first and in helping them develop and perform as highly as possible, which has helped lead to my own success through the years.”
Her tireless work throughout her 31 years with WSFS have been pivotal to the bank’s success, leading to her elevation to Executive Vice President and the Director of Retail Delivery in 2021, where she leads overall market strategy, client development and sales management for the bank’s retail branch network. She also oversees WSFS’ Regional Managers who run the day-to-day operations of the Bank’s six retail markets, as well as Retail Operations and the Contact Center.
“It’s important to embrace your own qualities and gifts, and find a way to leverage them into your role,” she said. “Be who you are. Be confident that you’re in the role because you deserve to be, and success will follow. WSFS was the perfect place to start my career, and provided me with ample opportunities to be challenged and grow to reach where I am now.”
Click here to learn about career and growth opportunities at WSFS.
About the Author – Kyle Babcock
Kyle Babcock is Integrated Communications Strategist at WSFS Bank. He has more than eight years of experience in product and professional services marketing, communications and advertising.
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