ESL in the Community Articles

From Classroom to Career: Summer Interns Share Their Experience

ESL Summer student employees share their thoughts about working at ESL:

• Q&A with Safiatou Barry, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Coordinator
• Q&A with Gunnar Bolton, Student Teller, Irondequoit Office
• Q&A with Jenilimar Gonzalez, ESL Student Teller, Goodman Office
• Q&A with Megan Johnson, Student Teller, Brockport Office

Celebrating ESL Employees During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

• Q&A with Aldi Priyanto, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist
• Q&A with Bhim Dhakal, Relationship Banker, Lake Avenue
• Q&A with Quintina Bounmala, Assistant Branch Manager, Victor
• Q&A with Quoc Doan, Desktop Support Tech
• Q&A with Sumayia Islam, Community Impact Coordinator

In recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we would like to highlight our newest Employee Resource Group (ERG). ESL employees recently launched the Society of Asian & Pacific Islander Employees for Networking, Collaborating, and Engaging (SAPIENCE).

The role of Contact Center employees, or Customer Care Specialists (Tele-Bankers), is crucial to the well-being of every member.

Q&A with founders of the new ESL African American Women Employee Resource Group.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, ESL is highlighting several local businesses, organizations, and our employees whose stories of determination and commitment to serve our community are an inspiration to us all.

Celebrating ESL Employees During Black History Month

• Meet Cynthia Bahati, Telebanker
• Meet Mo Badmus, Universal Banker, Notary Public
• Meet Sonja Walters, Project Manager at ESL
• Meet George Amoh, Relationship Manager Business Banking Associate at ESL

Growing Forward with the Owners’ Dividend: Member Stories

At ESL, you’re more than a balance, you belong. Sharing with members through our Owners’ Dividend.

• Debbie
• Naomi
• Mike
• Sue and Bob Onderdonk
• Jared Smith
• Bow Morse
• Diane Fitzgerald Harris
• Anna Nicole Prouty

On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, ESL presented an informational session about the ESL Nonprofit Capacity Building Opportunities, along with details on how to apply for funding. Watch the webinar here!

In 2020, ESL observed the Juneteenth holiday (June 19) for the first time, and has since added this day as an annual corporate holiday. Learn more about, Juneteenth, a celebration and reaffirmation of African American culture, freedom, and hope.

ESL is undergoing a major IT transformation and is committed to increasing our IT workforce by more than 20% in 2021.

Simone Boone is the owner of Apogee Wine Bar, located at 151 Park Avenue in Rochester. In business since 2014, Apogee is an inviting European-style café serving all who love good wine, food, and people.

Negus El Bey is a volunteer at B+Healthy Fresh Food Market, located at 442 Genesee Street in Rochester. In business since the summer of 2018, B+Healthy provides healthful goods—like produce, freshly prepared vegan meals, a juice and smoothie bar, and health and wellness products.

In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to introduce you a few ESL employees who have built unique careers for themselves in and outside of ESL.