10 questions with…Ann Marie Kennedy
Ann Marie, who loves to travel, visits a friend in Kentucky. |
1. Where do you work?
I work at National City. My official title is a mouthful: wholesale banking portfolio manager. A lot of people get that confused with investment portfolios, but I actually manage the middle market wholesale banking loans in St. Louis. Basically, I partner with our relationship managers and their clients in maintaining the client/loan relationships – risk management, specifically financial analysis, loan extensions and approvals. I also work with analysts, developing their credit skills with a path towards lending.
2. How did you get started in banking?
I’ve been with National City for 12 years since graduating from college. I have my undergrad in finance from Kent State in Ohio, and an MBA focused in finance and international business from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland.
3. How long have you been in St. Louis?
I’ve been in St. Louis for five years. I moved down here from Ohio with National City with the Allegiant Bank merger. I’ve gotten used to the sunnier days here – it was really bright the first couple of months I moved here. Cleveland can be very cloudy! I enjoy all the free events here - there are a lot and that’s really awesome!
4. How did you get involved with GenNext?
National City is a big proponent of United Way, so even when I was in Ohio, I was aware of the campaign. After I moved to St. Louis, a friend sent me a GenNext event e-mail asking, “Hey, do want to do this?” She knew I was interested in becoming more involved and enjoyed volunteering.
5. What’s your favorite GenNext memory?
I don’t know that I can pick just one. I can remember every single one – they’re all so unique. I do love the Delta Gamma Christmas tree project. It’s near Thanksgiving; you smell all the Fraser firs. It’s so nice to be outside. And, I just did the JCA service project, and I met this wonderful older woman named Winnie, who was from the South, and we just sat and talked - especially about how she loved her watermelon as a child.
6. Why is philanthropy and community involvement important to you and your generation?
I think it’s just always good to give back to the community. As young professionals, we’re very fortunate and I think it’s important to help people who are less fortunate, whether it’s at a food pantry, keeping them company, playing games, etc. Whatever project you go to, you can see it’s making a difference right away. I have so many happy memories, and if I can make just one more for someone else, then it’s always worth it.
7. Where would you like to see GenNext in five years?
I’d love to see it be a thing for United Way across the entire country. When I moved to Cleveland, I would have loved something like that. It’s a great way to meet peers, and find out about other volunteer events. I’d also love to have more volunteer opportunities here. Personally, I travel a lot, and if it’s just once a month, I sometimes have to miss it.
8. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
Oh gosh – I’m going to date myself. I remember always gathering around The Muppet Show with my parents and brother. You know the very beginning, where they do the whole singing thing with the old grouchy men (Statler & Waldorf) finishing up the intro? You always HAD to be there from the beginning, even though it was the same every week.
9. Do you pay attention to politics?
I’ve always voted, and I do pay attention to the political climate, but it’s very difficult sometimes to determine what’s actually going on just from watching the news or reading the paper.
10. What was your most creative Halloween costume?
I’ve never been one to dress up for Halloween. October is my favorite month - but I haven’t dressed up since sixth grade when I was a person with a broken leg. I had a cast up to my thigh, because I had literally broken my leg. I’ll go to parties and people will ask me what I’m dressed up as, and I say me, myself and I – I have just as much fun. Everyone’s trying to get me to dress up this year, though, but it’s a long shot.