BOSTON–Shimna Sameer is Managing Director and Head of National Operations and Northeast Division Consumer Banking & Investments at the banking giant Bank of America. Based in Boston, as Northeast Division executive, Ms. Sameer leads a team of 6,000 associates who deliver to clients a culture of exceptional care and the bank’s full range of financial products and services through 929 financial centers in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Since joining Bank of America in 2005, Ms. Sameer has held a number of leadership positions within the company both in Consumer Banking and Consumer Investments. She is a passionate supporter of advancing women’s careers and Intentional Inclusion and has a strong track record of mentoring and developing leaders across the company.
On March 6, Ms. Sameer will be honored as one of the 20 Outstanding Women of 2021 during the 18th Annual Woman of the Year Awards ceremony— to be held virtually this year. To buy a ticket, please click here.
Often invited to speak at various forums, panels and events, Ms. Sameer has addressed audiences globally on the topic of inclusion and empowerment of women. She is the founder and the executive sponsor for the Bank of America’s Consumer Investments Women’s Forum and serves as the executive
sponsor for the bank’s Consumer Banking & Investments Employee Engagement & Inclusion Council. She is a recipient of the distinguished Bank of America Global Diversity and Inclusion Award and has been profiled on FairyGodBoss.com for her commitment to advocating for and empowering women in the workplace.
In 2020, Ms. Sameer was named to the EMpower/Yahoo Finance Ethnic Minority Executive Role Model List and the HERoes Women Role Model Executive List that honors global leaders who are champions for diversity and inclusion in business. Outside of work, Shim actively supports various non-profit organizations. She serves on the boards of the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Walker School in Needham, Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree in arts, and was the valedictorian of her class. She is also a Six Sigma-certified Green Belt.
A Q/A with Ms. Sameer:
INDIA New England News: Please tell our readers about your work and what you enjoy most about it?
Shim Sameer: I have two key assignments with bank of America. I am the National Operations Executive for the Financial centers where my team manages operational excellence for our 4,300 financial centers across the country – managing risk, deploying innovation and simplification, and driving client care and culture. I also am the Head of the company’s Consumer franchise for the Northeast – including approximately 1,000 financial centers and 6,000 teammates across Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island – where I have the unique opportunity to lead the teams and deliver for our clients.
What I love about my work is three fold:
- For my clients – I am very proud of being a part of a company that truly believes in enhancing the financial lives of our clients and I get to live that purpose daily.
- For my teams – I work tirelessly every day to promote empowerment of every teammate, access for all, and intentional inclusion – specifically progress and parity for women and people of color.
- For our communities – I believe in expanding what we do inside the company to the communities we serve through giving, equality work and education.
INE: If you’re engaged with any charity or non-profit, please tell us why this group and what do you do for them?
SS: I currently serve as a Board member and Chair of the Advancement Committee for the Walker School in Needham – an organization that supports children with complex emotional needs. I serve as a Board member of the Massachusetts Bankers Association. I have served as a keynote speaker or panelist for over 50 events globally in the last 15 months on topics of Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment. I am a tireless advocate for social equality.
INE: What are your hobbies and interests?
SS: I enjoy reading biographies, traveling when it is safe to do so, and flying gliders when time permits.
INE: In what way you feel you have most positively influenced or served the local community and your company/organization and professional field?
SS: I have striven to make a difference where it matters the most in the area of social equality – both inside and outside of work – through education, one-on-one mentorship and sponsorship, and challenging the status quo and crashing barriers.
Between 2018 and 2020 –
- A majority of my teammates under my sponsorship/ mentorship (especially women/people of color/ethnic minorities) have been promoted with many of them now serving in executive roles – providing them with financial growth, opportunity, and exposure.
- I have led or participated in over 200 events globally that are focused on diversity, intentional inclusion, education and empowerment.
- I have supported over 250 mentees.
INE: Your rare talent?
SS: I have a gift when it comes to people – I genuinely love connecting with people and making a difference where I can.
INE: Your favorite books?
SS: Educated by Tara Westover, reading Shakespeare’s tragedies, and all things history.
INE: Your favorite quotes?
SS: My favorite quote comes from my Dad: “Human beings have an innate ability to wake up every morning and do better than they did the night before. Don’t let up!”
INE: Who inspires you the most?
SS: My parents, my daughter, my husband, and my many teammates. These folks inspire me to wake up, deliver and move the world forward! I feel accountable every day to help bring people along in our journey together.
INE: Your core value you try to live by?
SS: Leave people stronger than you find them.
