If you want a solid understanding of what makes one financial institution different from another, Kristen Lewis is a great source of information. In her 16-year financial services career, she’s handled responsibilities ranging from waiting on customers at the teller window, to managing branches, to training and operations.

Three years ago, she left a position as a branch manager at FORUM to work for a regional bank – and when the opportunity to return appeared, she grabbed it. “The bank didn’t even come close to what FORUM stands for, what they offer, and how they operate,” she explains.

Today, Kristen is a Relationship Manager with FORUM’s Commercial Group. “We look for opportunities to meet the lending, deposit and overall financial needs of area businesses,” she says. “We strive to meet our department mission statement, which calls on us to develop business partnerships by responding with a sense of urgency, creating value and a positive experience through products and services.”

The New York native and current Pike Township resident says she’s thrilled to be back. “It’s a great environment to work in. There are so many professional and talented people here, and the credit union encourages continued learning and self-improvement. It’s a great place to have a career.”

Kristen’s banking career began when she was attending community college in Virginia and took a part-time job as a teller. In the years that followed, she accepted positions of increasing responsibility, and moved to Indiana, where she finished her degree at IU and earned a Master’s from Indiana Wesleyan.

“My sister and her husband have lived in Indianapolis for over 20 years,” she recalls. “I would come to visit, and I really liked it here.” But what really captured this sports fan’s attention was how easy it was to get to and from Colts and Pacers games. “After the game, we could be home in half an hour. In New York, seeing a professional sports team play is a whole-day production.”

When Kristen isn’t working, you’ll find her spending time with her husband, Dan, rock-climbing, gardening, or laughing at the antics of her terrier (“we call her a terror”), Abby.