The PrivateBank lends a hand

The PrivateBank exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that is core to how Civic Consulting improves our region. Since 2013, The PrivateBank has been a committed partner, dedicating eight fellows from its Credit Analyst Training Program for three months each to work with Civic Consulting on projects across all of our program areas. The fellowship has become a highly sought-after assignment and professional development opportunity at The PrivateBank.

This past fall, Civic Consulting Alliance welcomed three fellows from The PrivateBank --- Sam Cristee, AJ Greenberg, and Joanna Mendoza. Reflecting on their rotation, all three fellows highlighted the unique opportunity to address complex issues in the public sector while expanding their professional skills. In addition, the fellows emphasized the value of meeting and working alongside public sector leaders and the community members they serve.

Sam Cristee: "I appreciated how much responsibility Civic Consulting was willing to give me, and I can already see how the skills I developed have prepared me to advance in my role at The PrivateBank."

AJ Greenberg: "My project has an important community development component, which is a critical perspective for my work at The PrivateBank. Moreover, my fellowship provided me with a great opportunity to expand my Chicago network across multiple sectors."

Joanna Mendoza: "The problem-solving skills I learned at Civic Consulting have direct applicability to my work at the bank, helping me be a better advisor to my clients as they face their unique business challenges."

From The PrivateBank's perspective, the fellowship program provides the dual benefit of developing skills of participants while advancing The PrivateBank's longstanding commitment to the Chicagoland community. Denise Maple, Managing Director of Commercial Banking Training, noted: "Civic Consulting is an invaluable training opportunity for our analysts. Fellows build critical problem-solving and client-facing skills and return to The PrivateBank well prepared for the next stage of their careers. Analysts have seen great success at The PrivateBank following their fellowship, and it is wonderful to see how connected they remain with Civic Consulting."

Bruce Lubin, President of Illinois Banking and a Civic Consulting Alliance Board member added, "We are very proud of our fellowship partnership with Civic Consulting. Our team members are excited by the work they are do, and the fellowship helps the bank instill community engagement values into our analysts early in their careers."