Colleen Moore celebrates 20 years with North Shore Bank this month.

“I didn’t know how long I would be here,” says Colleen Moore, remembering her first days at North Shore Bank in 2002 as mailroom assistant. “I was just happy to be in the working field after raising a family for eight years.”

Twenty years later, her title is mail services supervisor, and Colleen is an invaluable member of our team.

“Every morning, Colleen has a smile and a good word for everyone she sees,” CIO Dean Trout says. “It makes the bank a little brighter. I also see her volunteering at various events, making the rest of the world a little happier, too.”

Previously a stay-at-home mom to five daughters, she applied when her mother-in-law, Michelle Moore — a North Shore Bank mortgage processor — mentioned the opening. “It was part time and fit with the kids’ school schedule,” Colleen says. “I was excited to be around people again.”

She was a bit nervous about being the only woman in her department. But her worries proved unfounded, she says. “Being the only woman has been fun — I’m like one of the guys! And I love my team.”

Colleen, back when she started, in 2002. With her are colleagues Ken Nowicki, Steve Dowe, Gary Rademacher — all now retired.

It’s those teammates and the rest of the people here, Colleen says, that have kept her at North Shore Bank for so long, and through so many changes and challenges. Her husband, Brad, died in 2012.

“My daughters had to be independent while I continued to work,” she says. “It helped that I was still working part time then.”

All five of her daughters have now graduated from high school, and two are married. When Colleen’s in-laws died, she became a caregiver for brother-in-law Mike in 2020.

Professionally speaking, she has seen two managers retire and became a supervisor herself last January. “That was exciting.”

Nancy and Colleen in December 2015. “I thought this was perfect job description for us,” says Nancy with a chuckle. “We do listen to people’s problems here every day!”

“When I met Colleen for the first time 20 years ago, she and I bonded instantly,” recalls Corporate receptionist Nancy Hanson. “We are very much alike and have the same goals: to come to work every day and give our best service to our internal and external customers. You will always see Colleen putting her best foot forward every day, and she is always volunteering to help with whatever needs to be done. As mailroom supervisor, she takes pride in keeping the mail coming and going in a timely and organized manner. Nothing sits in her mailroom.”

She adds: “If you just need a warm, friendly smile for the day, visit Colleen in the mailroom — she is bound to deliver that too! We are not only co-workers, but also best friends.”

“Colleen is truly a remarkable person — so kind, generous, resourceful, and dependable,” says marketing communications manager Kate Knox. “No matter what is being asked of her, she will do everything she can to make it happen. She is an amazing human being because she is giving and caring in all areas of her life. She leads by example. The bank is lucky to have her here, and I am grateful to have been able to work with her over these last 20 years.”

“She is one of the most generous and thoughtful people I know,” adds SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman. “She is always willing to help and even volunteer her time and energy when needed.”

As far as her future goes, Colleen says she would like to do some traveling — her family is from Boston, and she’d like to visit. “It’s a tough one right now, since I am doing so many things for others,” she says. Her brother-in-law will soon move into a group home, which will be a big change. “It will finally be time for me,” she says.