Senior commercial loan servicing analyst Nicole McKenzie has moved around a lot since joining North Shore Bank 20 years ago. After starting as a teller at Brookfield Capitol, she worked in Consumer Loan Servicing, Boat and RV Funding, and Mortgage Servicing before taking on her current role.

“I’ve enjoyed all the different roles that I’ve had here, and my co-workers have been pretty great as well!” she says when asked what’s kept her at the bank.

“Nicole is amazing!” her boss, AVP commercial loan servicing manager Cheryl Lang exults. “She is such a hard worker. More than that, she is so helpful to her teammates, friendly, kind, really funny — she has an infectious laugh — and super smart. Whenever there are extra projects or work overflow, she picks up anything she can, on top of what she already has. She is dedicated to making sure she provides quality work and doesn’t disappoint! I am truly beyond lucky to have her on my team.”

Nicole talked to Shorelines about her two decades with North Shore Bank.

What were you doing 20 years ago before the bank hired you?
I was working at DryClean USA. It… wasn’t very exciting. But you had nice customers sometimes, and other times you didn’t.

How did you end up here?
A friend from high school was working as a personal banker at the Brookfield Capitol office and encouraged me to apply. I wasn’t thinking of it as a career at that point — my daughter had just turned 1, so I was just looking for a more full-time position. But then once I started, I really liked banking.

You’ve moved around a lot at the bank, even over a period of 20 years. Why do you think you’ve had so many roles?
I’m just always trying to learn more and stay interested, and to see where I can get. I’ve enjoyed all my positions here, and I really like the job I have now, so I’m feeling pretty content.

How has your personal life changed since you started at the bank?
Well, I’ve gotten married and had two more children, for a total of three, and I welcomed a grandson this year. That’s been an adjustment — I wasn’t planning on being a grandmother at this point in my life — but he is adorable.

What advice would you give yourself if you could travel back in time to 1999?
Life has no rules. Fear nothing and be bold.