Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Keila Andujar Leans on Her Family and Culture to Inspire Service in Her Career and Community

By Kyle Babcock | Published: October 2021

Keila Andujar came to Delaware at a young age from Guayama, Puerto Rico, with her parents and siblings looking to build a life in the First State.

“My parents took a chance when we moved here, as they had limited resources, and did not speak English,” said Andujar. “My ethnic background created who I am today, as often in Hispanic culture we have to grow up fast to help our families. I had to become my parents’ personal translator and started working at the age of 14, knowing I needed to do my part to help financially and support my siblings.”

“I joined WSFS Bank straight out of high school in 2005, and I’m currently a Vice President and Retail Office Manager at the Prices Corner Banking Office in Wilmington,” she said.

Since joining WSFS as a Personal Banker, Andujar has leaned on the values and unwavering work ethic instilled by her parents as well as her culture, working her way through the ranks to become a Team Lead and then Assistant Manager prior to her current role, while also obtaining her degree in Organizational Leadership from Valor Christian College.

Andujar’s hard work isn’t limited to within the walls of WSFS, however, as she is heavily involved in her community.

“Some say I do too much but if you ask me, I don’t do enough,” she said. “I’m a youth leader at my church, and sit on the board of Sojourners Place, a nonprofit organization that assists men and women experiencing homelessness on their journey to self-sufficiency.”

“Financial education is also very important to me. I participate in programs such as Teach Children to Save and help coordinate a program called Bank at School, where we educate children from an early age on the importance of savings and money management.”

From more than 15 years serving Customers at WSFS as well as her community, Andujar has learned quite a few lessons on finding success and happiness, including:

• Get Uncomfortable
  “Growth often comes from the things we fear, whether it is speaking in front of a group of peers, opening a large commercial relationship or failing to achieve a metric one quarter. It is very easy to find the negatives day to day in your career. Find the positives to create change and be that beacon of hope. The world needs more leaders that go against the grain and challenge themselves to be more creative, balanced, strategic, and empowered.”
• Give Back
  “You have so many talents that can be shared within your community. Time is a gift, and I believe there’s no better way to embrace that gift then to spend it giving back. Serving can be anywhere, anytime. Help someone in need, volunteer at a local event, or donate something that could be of benefit to someone else. If more people took action to give back in their communities, we’d see a tremendous amount of progress.”
• Turn it Off
  “It’s important to know when to walk away and turn off the noise. Our bodies need rest, our families need our time, and at times, we need a break. Take it and don’t feel bad about it. The work will be there when you get back.”
• Be Yourself
  “It’s so simple, but we can get lost with trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. Embrace your roots, stand firm in your beliefs, and do not be ashamed of where you came from and who you are. We are all different in many ways and there is a lot of beauty behind every story.”

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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.