CANANDAIGUA — After 26 years of dedicated leadership, Canandaigua National Bank’s Executive Vice President CFO Karen Serinis has retired from the corporation, effective the end of 2023.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have Karen as a leader over the course of her tenure here at CNB,” said CEO and President Frank H. Hamlin, III. “I want to take this opportunity to thank her for everything she has done as a colleague, mentor, and friend. She has been instrumental in CNB’s success.”
As the first female executive vice president, Serinis was instrumental in the bank’s transformational expansion into Monroe County. She joined Canandaigua National Bank & Trust in 1997 as the first manager of the Pittsford “synergy” office. She served as east-side area manager before becoming director of retail services in 2007.
Serinis was promoted to executive vice president in 2011 and during her 12 years in that position her management oversight included corporate marketing, communications and events, product management, consumer lending, CNB Mortgage Company, and the small business banking unit.
Serinis has demonstrated the values of service and a “people-first” philosophy throughout her career at CNB during which she maintained the bank’s high standards of customer service and bolstered the bank’s positive culture. Her leadership created an engaged workforce with an “above and beyond” work ethic. For Serinis, CNB’s distinction always comes back to its people.
“I have long understood that the reason we win is because our employees are different. We show up each day ready to extend our best to each other and to our customers. It is a conscious decision to operate the way we do,” Serinis said.
Serinis has also contributed significantly to the greater Rochester community, with a focus on organizations that support women and youth. In 2018, she was honored as one of Rochester Business Journal’s “Women of Excellence.” In 2012, the Professional Women of the Finger Lakes named Serinis a “Woman of Distinction.” Also passionate about the teaching value of youth sports, she was recognized for her coaching and board membership by the Webster Athletic Association’s girls’ softball program with a lifetime achievement award and a varsity softball field named in her honor.
CNB is promoting Gwen Crawford, the current director of retail banking, to serve as executive vice president, CRO. A member of the bank’s retail management team for more than 12 years, Crawford has been with Canandaigua National Bank & Trust since 2007.
Over the past year, Serinis and Crawford have worked closely with bank leadership to prepare for the transfer of this key role within the organization.
“She empowers her people to feel comfortable making decisions and working independently because she spent the time explaining her thought process,” Crawford said of Serinis. “She is transparent and honest and inspires me to want to lead and carry on her legacy.”
Serinis has been named to the Board of Directors for CNB Mortgage where she will continue her career in banking.
