SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

After 15 years, Schissler still inspired by the work, terrific bank team

Chief HR Officer Molly Schissler celebrates her 15th anniversary with North Shore Bank this month. She recently took a little time to reflect on her time here and the many reasons she enjoys coming to work every day. 

When Molly first started with the bank in 2010, she was impressed with the quality of the staff. That take hasn’t changed in 15 years. “When someone asks me what I love about my job, it is the people here,” she said. “From the teams that I manage in HR, Compliance, and Facilities to all the other employees I interact with, we have so many terrific people.”

Consistently appearing on the list of Top Workplaces by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel certainly helps in attracting top talent, Molly said, but she’s quick to point out that the designation is an honor earned and shared by all employees. “The fact that we’re a Top Workplace doesn’t belong to HR. It’s everybody,” she said. “Executive Chairman Jim McKenna and President & CEO Jay McKenna set that tone, and everybody here contributes to it.”

Molly is especially appreciative of the positive way employees interact, as she knows from experience at other companies and in other industries that isn’t always the case. “People are respectful and supportive of each other,” she said. 

She called out the strong training department as critical to success, too. “I feel like we’re fortunate in this area. Our training department does an excellent job keeping everyone on top of what’s needed day-to-day and with leadership training and development,” she said. “When I talk to my counterparts at other banks, I think they’re a little envious!”

Even after 15 years, Molly said her work remains interesting and challenging. “Every day is different. That’s what I really love,” she said.

Outside of work, Molly is an avid traveler who loves to visit beautiful places and connect to family history. In recent years she’s visited Ireland (seven times!), Croatia, Chile, and Italy, just to name a few places. This summer she’ll return to Scotland for the fourth time. This trip will be different than other visits, though, as she and her husband will be setting out on a Brixham trawler, a 100-year-old wooden sailboat, to tour the Inner Hebrides, a chain of islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland.

As much as she loves Ireland, Molly is also a huge fan of Scotland. “Scotland is even more beautiful than Ireland, which is crazy to say because Ireland is just spectacular!” she said. 

Congratulations to Molly on 15 years with North Shore Bank! 

 

OUT OF OFFICE

Zarb family visits, adds to Seattle’s colorful, sticky Gum Wall

Brookfield Square Branch Manager Mariella Zarb traveled to Portland, Ore., and Seattle earlier this month with her family, and one attraction in particular really stuck with them—Seattle’s Gum Wall. Although not as well known as tourist destinations like the Space Needle and the Pike Place Market with its famous fish throwers, the Gum Wall is considered a hidden work of art buried in an alleyway at the market.

The Gum Wall started in the ’90s when performers and visitors to nearby Unexpected Productions, a local improv comedy show, started sticking gum on the wall. 03390 With its wide range of colorful blobs of gum, it does resemble a 3D work of art. It has, of course, become a popular spot for tourists to take photos—and add more “art” to the wall as the Zarb family did.

“It’s part of Seattle’s unique and unconventional character!” Mariella said. 

While there, Mariella snapped a few pics with her adult kids, Rakel and Zachary. Also on the trip, the family enjoyed the Chihuly Glass Museum and Gardens, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, great restaurants, and the coastline. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMERGING LEADERS GROUP

Quinn appreciates skill building, connections made through ELG

When Shannon Quinn started at the Brookfield Square branch in 2018, he didn’t know where this new career would take him. Today, he’s the Community Engagement Manager and Branch Manager at the Sussex branch and a valued council member of the Emerging Leaders Group. 

Shannon’s career with us began as an associate banker at our Corporate office location, establishing himself as someone who could be counted on—supporting the lead teller with operational tasks, serving customers at the teller line, and becoming a go-to person for account openings.

“I realized I wanted to be more influential in our customers’ financial journeys,” Shannon said. This motivation inspired him to become a personal banker at the Brookfield Capitol facility, before stepping into his current leadership role as Sussex branch manager.

Throughout his growth with North Shore Bank, the Emerging Leaders Group, an employee-led, volunteer group with a focus on learning and leadership for individuals growing their careers with the bank, has played a role in Shannon’s professional development. As one of the founding members of the group, he said the connections he’s made through ELG have helped him in many ways. 

“Being part of ELG has given me access to conversations with upper management to learn about their starting points and what they did to become leaders—through vocational training, mentorship, and self-education,” Shannon said. “These stories are so relatable and inspiring. We regularly come together to discuss our experiences as leaders and share strategies for better supporting our teams.”

When asked about the skills he’s developing through the group, Shannon said effective communication is key. “Communicating tactfully is something I’ve strengthened since joining ELG,” he said. “Every person’s motivation is different. As a leader, you need to identify it quickly and show social fluency to get the most out of each individual.”

He’s also honed his active listening skills. “As a leader, your voice can easily dominate a conversation and potentially suppress great ideas from your team. By holding your opinion and opening the floor to people who report to you, you discover new perspectives and empower them to contribute to achieving goals. This creates more commitment to the plans you want to implement.”

Shannon specifically points to a recent virtual meeting about communication styles as having a significant impact. “During this session, I learned about different communication styles and how to adapt to each team member’s preferences,” he said. “Now I can recognize tendencies, identify styles, and adjust my approach.”

The networking opportunities within ELG are also meaningful for Shannon. “I always appreciate our virtual meetings featuring senior leaders. Learning about their roles, where they started, and what they’ve done to become effective leaders is incredibly valuable.”

Perhaps what stands out most about Shannon’s ELG experience is the consistent growth he experiences. “Every time we get together, I walk away with something I can apply to become a better leader and mentor to those who aspire to leadership roles themselves.”

 

OUT OF OFFICE

Hertel honors friend’s memory with annual scholarship award

Seven years ago, Ben Hertel, Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager, went through a personal tragedy when one of his closest friends from Chilton High School took his own life at only 21 years old. Partnering with some other mutual friends, Ben co-founded a scholarship to honor his friend’s legacy. 

Every year since 2019, this scholarship has awarded $750 to a deserving Chilton High School graduate who demonstrates academic excellence with a minimum 3.0 GPA, displays leadership qualities, participates in extracurricular activities, and is actively involved in the community. Ben awarded this year’s scholarship at the high school on May 14. 

“When I present the scholarship, I always like to give a little background on my friend, talk a little bit about who he was,” Ben said. 

Ben said his friend exemplified community service and compassion. He was a leader at the high school, helping special needs students integrate into school activities and sports teams. His involvement extended to their local Catholic church and continued at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was known for helping people who were experiencing homelessness. “He was just a very kind person, kind to everyone,” Ben said.

The scholarship fund was established in 2019, after the friends held a golf outing and raised about $35,000—enough to endow the scholarship and make additional community donations. Because of this success, the fund doesn’t require more donations, though Ben encourages those who feel motivated to support local youth mental health initiatives instead.

For Ben, this mission is deeply meaningful. By sharing his friend’s story and creating this lasting legacy, he hopes to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of recognizing warning signs.

“If we can affect one person by talking about this, it’s worth it,” Ben shared. “We want to help others avoid what we’ve gone through. That’s the goal.”

Through the scholarship, Ben and his friends ensure that their friend’s spirit of kindness and community service continues to inspire future generations of students, a reminder of how one person’s legacy can create lasting positive change in a community.

 

PROUD PARENTS

Congratulations on graduation, Kade!

Kade, the oldest son of Human Resources Specialist Morgan Stark, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Performance with a minor in Sports Management at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s commencement ceremony last weekend. Congratulations, Kade!

 

 

FINANCIAL EDUCATION & LITERACY

Empower’s educational series for May focuses on you

Empower’s educational series for May is titled “A Financial Experience Focused on You.” The live sessions on this topic are offered today, May 22, at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 28, at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. The sessions are live and available in English and Spanish. 

This month’s session will focus on your personalized dashboard, free real-time tools, on-demand resources and education, and human support when you want it. For more information, check Ask Seymour, click here to see a flyer from Empower, visit the Learning Center on Empower’s website, or scan the QR code above to learn more and register. 

 

Customer Loyalty Tip of the Week

Listen very carefully to what your customers are telling you, so you can clearly understand their needs and feelings.

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• Music at the Pavilion | Thursday, June 5 (6:00 PM) | Gehl Performing Arts Pavilion at Firemen’s Park | Park Avenue, Germantown
• Art64 2025 | Friday, June 6 (5:00 PM) – Saturday, June 7 (4:00 PM) | Root Common Park | 1409 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI
• Jammin’ in the Park | Friday, June 6 (5:00 PM) | Veteran’s Memorial Park | W182S8200 Racine Ave., Muskego, WI