Laura Whitkin has been appointed vice president/corporate compensation consultant in human resources at Citizens Bank. She previously worked as a consultant at Winter Wyman Inc. of Waltham, Mass. She received a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and her master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Whitkin lives in Ashland, Mass.
PBN: What exactly does your job entail?
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Whitkin: As VP, Corporate Compensation Manager for Citizens Bank, I provide compensation support to the Retail Delivery and Citizens Services Group (CSG) Divisions; the backbone of people, processes, and technology operations for the bank. I ensure that our compensation strategy delivers world-class programs that are market competitive and responsive to the needs of our colleagues.
PBN: What do you enjoy most about working there?
Whitkin: Citizens Bank takes to heart its values of customers, colleagues, and community. I am proud to be part of a team that believes that customer service is number one whether it’s a bank customer, your internal colleagues as customers, or the community at large. It’s not just talk. Citizens employees live by these core beliefs.
PBN: What inspires you about your position?
Whitkin: Being a part of a growing and vibrant corporation is both exciting and challenging. It’s inspiring to be able to contribute to a winning team. This gives me the satisfaction of a job well-done and also allows me to learn and grow both personally and professionally. That is what is truly fulfilling for me.
PBN: What are your professional goals?
Whitkin: My experience in Compensation for the past 18 years has been in the high tech and retail sectors (FarSounder, Staples & TJX). Citizens Bank is my first experience in commercial banking and financial services and I am enjoying learning the nuances that set the banking industry apart from other industries. My immediate professional goals are to continue the tradition of world-class compensation programs at Citizens Bank while meeting the challenges of the company’s growth. From there, who knows?
PBN: Who has been your mentor or role model?
Whitkin: My mentor has been Cheryl Zimmerman, entrepreneur and CEO of the Rhode Island-based FarSounder, Inc., a start-up 3-D sonar technology Company. I have worked with Cheryl both professionally and on numerous civic and charitable projects where our core values meld with how we do business and give back to the community. That’s one reason why Citizens Bank is such a good fit for me.
