05/27/2011
Citizens Financial Group Chairman and CEO Ellen Alemany awarded honorary degree from Bryant University
Providence, R.I. (May 23, 2011) - Ellen Alemany, Head of RBS Americas and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has been named an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration at Bryant University. This honorary degree was presented at the school’s undergraduate commencement on May 21, 2011.
In its citation, the University commended Ms. Alemany as someone “who in both her personal and professional life exemplifies what being excellent in the world of commerce means. At a time when many financial institutions and their leaders have failed to merit public scrutiny and approval, you make it a point to be worthy of the trust of your customers, employees, and your leadership team.
“Those who are familiar with you say that even before the financial crisis you were thought of as an authentic banker—a person with an unending commitment to excellence and accountability. To this end, you re-launched the corporate campaign, GOOD BANKING IS GOOD CITIZENSHIP, reminding us all why banks exist and the critical role they play in fostering growth and prosperity, that in a most essential way they are meant to serve the communities where they exist. Indeed, good citizenship for you is embedded not just in the name of your company, you see to it that it is rooted in your daily corporate culture.”
“I am honored by this degree from Bryant University, one of Rhode Island’s great institutions,” Ellen Alemany said. “This is a special time for the Class of 2011 and I was proud to be a part of Commencement as this year’s graduates prepared to leave Smithfield for the careers and the life journey for which Bryant has prepared them so well.”
Ms. Alemany was one of five leaders selected to receive an honorary degree from the University. Other honorees are: Daniel Akerson, CEO of General Motors; Rabbi Leslie Gutterman of Temple Beth-El in Providence; World War II veteran/POW survivor Louis Zamperini; and Roger Mandle, executive director of the Qatar Museums Authority and past president of the Rhode Island School of Design.
Ms. Alemany’s honorary degree follows another honor last week from the Foreign Policy Association, which presented her with a Corporate Social Responsibility Award at its annual dinner in New York City. Earlier this year, she was elected to the board of trustees of the National Constitution Center, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization in Philadelphia chaired by President William J. Clinton that is dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. She also serves on the board for the Center for Discovery, which offers rehabilitation programs for disabled individuals, and on the Providence College Business Advisory Council. From 2008 through 2010, she was the First District Representative on the Federal Advisory Council, directly consulting with and advising the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
In September 2010, Ms. Alemany was listed 13th on U.S. Banker’s list of The 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking. In August 2009, Forbes magazine ranked her 57th on its annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is a $132 billion commercial bank holding company. It is headquartered in Providence, R.I., and, through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,500 branches, approximately 3,800 ATMs and more than 21,100 employees. Its two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 12-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in more than 30 states. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
