<p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:9Pt;">Myrna Kennedy has been a leader in the commercial and community banking industry for more than 30 years. Most recently as a senior vice president and senior credit officer for Howard Bank, she was responsible for managing all underwriting, analytical staff development and effectively scheduling an administration of the bank’s commercial loan portfolio. She has been a senior credit officer across several organizations and a permanent voting member of Loan committee, with additional responsibilities for managing overall credit risk, structuring commercials loans appropriately and guiding business development officers in making sound credit decisions.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:9Pt;">She spent many years at Provident Bank fulfilling various roles, helping the institution become a major player in the Baltimore region and growing its assets to $6 billion from $1 billion. As a result of an acquisition, she transitioned to M&amp;T Bank, as a senior credit officer, before joining Howard Bank. Kennedy played a key role in integrating the credit departments of Howard Bank and 1st Mariner Bank when they merged, adopting best practices, retaining staff, and maintaining quality output. Outside of immediate job responsibilities, she was a coach and trainer for emerging bankers. She was an American Institute of Banking instructor for years as well as an Omega instructor with an eye toward helping others achieve in the long-term.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:9Pt;">As a founding member of Howard Bank’s Women in Leadership Council, professional development of colleagues is a focal point. Realizing the importance of diversity and inclusion to the bank and the need to support and help develop the female staff into potential future leaders of the organization, she helped establish the council, whose mission is to help women realize they can chart an upwardly mobile career path by taking ownership of their goals and aspirations. Additionally, she served as a board member of Maryland Bankers Association, Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:9Pt;">She has been a member of the Reading Partners program for several years, pairing up with an at-risk elementary student for an entire school year and tutoring them to meet or exceed the required reading level. Additionally, she has volunteered as a coach for Invest In Girls, a non-profit organization designed to teach financial literacy to female high school students and Operation Hope; a similar financial literacy program aimed at middle and high school students.</span><br/><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:9Pt;">Kennedy lives in Maryland with her husband. Her greatest pride includes her three adult children and most recently, her first granddaughter. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and languages from The State University of New York, College at Oswego in 1980. Her interests include personal fitness, reading and baking. She is an avid trail and road runner having completed half and full marathons.</span></p>