Ellen Ruggiano has been named assistant vice president and community relations manager at Bank of America in Providence. She joined the bank in 1988 and has held a variety of positions, most recently private bank marketing and events coordinator. In her new role, Ruggiano manages local sponsorship programs, coordinates and selects grants for the market, coordinates local marketing events, and works as public relations partner with Northeast Bank of America’s Public Relations Group National Media Relations team.
PBN: How has community relations changed after the acquisition of Fleet?
RUGGIANO: Bank of America, like Fleet before it, places strong emphasis on fostering a positive relationship in the communities where we live and work. Thanks to the size and breadth of our global franchise, we draw upon significant resources to support communities in Rhode Island.
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PBN: What are some current projects?
RUGGIANO: The annual holiday toy drive is underway, which encourages Bank of America customers and associates to bring new, unwrapped toys to our banking centers, which will then be donated to a local charity. We are also announcing a grant for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which will match up to $20,000 in donations made during the holidays.
PBN: Where is the bank deploying its philanthropy and sponsorship dollars?
RUGGIANO: Bank of America consistently works to support communities we serve through a variety of venues and channels. We support programs that will benefit all Rhode Islanders, with a focus on affordable housing, health care, and ending hunger in the state.
PBN: What attracts you to your job?
RUGGIANO: It gives me great joy to help others, and through financial commitment of Bank of America, my personal commitment via board involvement with the Salvation Army and First Works, and our support of local charities, I am able to do just that. I hope that in my position I can help make the lives of Rhode Islanders in need a little better.
