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ESL Federal Credit Union Welcomes Two New Employees to its Community Impact Team

Rochester, NY — ESL Federal Credit Union recently welcomed two new employees to its Community Impact team. The team works to build a healthy, resilient and equitable Greater Rochester region where all residents have access to a good education, employment opportunities and affordable, connected neighborhoods. The newest employee additions include:

  • Berta Rivera joins the ESL team as community impact relationship manager, with more than 12 years’ of experience working with Greater Rochester-area nonprofit organizations. In her role, Rivera will look to build collaborative efforts by participating in and funding initiatives that help the Greater Rochester region around ensuring employment is attainable and assures self-sufficiency. Rivera most recently served as the director of Creating Assets, Savings, & Hope (CASH). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences from Rochester Institute of Technology. Rivera volunteers her time with many community-based organizations including Monroe County Language Access Coalition, Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, and Rochester Housing Authority Program’s Family Self Sufficiency Unit.
     
  • Kari Simpkins brings more than three years’ experience to her role as community impact coordinator. In this role, Simpkins will support the Community Impact team with grant management and operations as well as assist external partners with navigating the grant application process. Simpkins most recently served as the associate of grants & programs at the Central New York Community Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child & Family Studies from Syracuse University. Simpkins serves as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Theta Alpha Zeta Chapter, and as a board member for You Can’t Fail, Inc.

“We are excited to welcome the newest members of the Community Impact team to champion ESL’s commitment to expanding individual opportunity, building strong neighborhoods, and strengthening organizations and systems,” said ESL Federal Credit Union vice president/director, community impact, Ajamu Kitwana. “Our team looks forward to working collaboratively to make a positive impact, address the challenges of our community, and uplift Greater Rochester.”

About ESL Federal Credit Union

With more than 100 years of locally owned history, ESL Federal Credit Union serves as a full-service financial institution to more than 378,000 members and 11,800 businesses. Founded in 1920, the company provides personal banking, business banking, mortgage services, and wealth management services through its locally-based 22 branch network, telephone, mobile, online, and live chat center.

The Rochester-based financial institution employs more than 870 people in the Greater Rochester area and holds more than $8.2 billion in assets. Since 1996, ESL has paid out 26 consecutive Owners’ Dividends to its members totaling more than $185 million. Since the creation of its Community Impact initiative in 2018, ESL has reinvested more than $40 million in grants throughout the community. The company has appeared on the Great Place to Work® Best Small & Medium Workplaces list for 10 years since 2010. ESL Federal Credit Union is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found online at www.esl.org.

Find and connect with ESL on Twitter (@ESLFCU) and Facebook.com/ESLFCU.

For more information, contact:

Rich Pulvino, APR
Vice President/Director, Corporate Communications
rpulvino@esl.org
585.336.1009