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September 2, 2024 / 2024 Lifetime Achievement & C-Suite Honorees

2024 C-Suite Honoree: Shalonta Ford

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Shalonta Ford is senior vice president and director of community relations and DEI at GSB; with 27 years experience in banking. Ford plays a pivotal role in implementing strategies that support community development initiatives, promote financial literacy, and enhance the bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts.

She does so with a deep commitment to fostering positive relationships between the bank and the communities it serves. Ford has a passion for learning and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year?

I have made significant professional contributions, including launching GSB’s Aspire Checking, a Bank On product aimed at increasing financial accessibility. I played a key role in helping corporate officers secure board positions at nonprofits in an effort to enrich our communities.

I also led internal initiatives such as the Non-profit Civic Council and DEI Council. I co-chaired the annual fundraising auction for the nonprofit New Reach, raising vital funds for homelessness support and prevention.

Additionally, I established a group of financial literacy facilitators who have worked with Junior Achievement and CT Money School, providing valuable financial education to the community. Lastly, I have served on an advisory committee for the American Bankers Association to develop leadership workshops for women of color and allies.

In what ways are you involved in the community? I serve on the board of New Reach, where I hold the position of board secretary. It is an organization aimed at making homelessness rare, one-time and brief.

Additionally, I volunteer my time with organizations like United Way and Habitat for Humanity, participating in activities such as landscaping or swinging hammers. I also contribute to nonprofit organizations by serving on auction teams to support their fundraising efforts.

Some of these organizations I assist include St. Martin de Porres, Shoreline Arts Alliance, SARAH, Vista and demandZERO, among others.

On the job

Best way to keep your competitive edge: The best way to keep my competitive edge is through continuous learning. I focus on this through recently pursuing a master’s degree at Albertus Magnus College and completing a Diversity & Inclusion certificate program at Cornell.

Additionally, I leverage industry resources such as the Connecticut Bankers Association and American Bankers Association. Early on in taking on DEI responsibilities, I joined a consortium of DEI practitioners to share best practices, tips and tools on a monthly basis.

Best business decision: My best business decision was joining a community bank eight years ago. I have been fortunate to achieve many of my career goals during my tenure at GSB. Its culture and values closely align with my beliefs in servant leadership. I had the opportunity to lead the culture-changing DEI charge for the organization, which has been immensely impactful.

Worst business decision: It would have to be a hiring decision that I made in the past. I brought on someone in a key role and there wasn’t alignment in practical execution of deliverables and delivery of the internal customer experience. I underestimated the impact that there would be on the organization.

Biggest missed opportunity: The biggest missed opportunity would be waiting until later in my career to get my master’s degree. This professional goal was delayed due to family obligations. I see that I could have benefited from the key learnings from the program earlier in my career.

Goal yet to be achieved: I hope to enroll in a Ph.D. program in the future to further my passion for being a lifetime learner and deepen my knowledge of management, leadership and DEI.

Personal touch in your office: My Philadelphia mug. A constant reminder of my hometown, roots and my family.

Personal side:

Place of residence: Hamden

Favorite way to relax: Spending time with family

Hobbies: Reading, traveling

Last vacation: Aruba

Favorite movie: “Fried Green Tomatoes”

Currently reading: “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” by James McBride

Favorite cause: Homelessness

Second choice career: Medicine

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Shalonta Ford

Senior Vice President, Director of Community Relations & DEI

GSB

Size of organization: $1.1 billion in assets.

Number of employees: 150

Education: Master’s Degree in Leadership, Albertus Magnus College

 

 

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