Portland, ME – MEMIC recently announced that Michelle Allen has its senior leadership team as the new senior vice president and chief human resources officer.
Her appointment was announced in a companywide memo by MEMIC President & Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Bourque.
Allen holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and numerous national industry certifications, including Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, Compensation Management Specialist, and Senior Professional in Human Resources. She replaces Catherine F. Lamson, who retired in June after 23 years with the company.
“Michelle was our top candidate through all three rounds of interviews,” Bourque said. “Her combination of experience, skills, and personality make her a great fit for our team, and I am excited for her to begin work with us as we scale the business for expansion and greater success.”
Allen has worked in human resources since 2007, and in officer-level HR positions for 15 years. Most recently, she served as executive vice president at Androscoggin Bank, where she helped lead a transformation that lifted employee engagement into the top quartile among peers, and helped achieve B Corp™ certification, joining only 14 U.S. banks in a commitment to “leveraging business as a force for good.” Prior to her seven years at Androscoggin Bank, she was vice president and human resources manager at Camden National Bank, and a human resources business partner at Acadia Insurance.
“The past seven years taught me much about who I wish to be in the world of business, what I stand for as a leader of people and process,” Allen said, “and about who I am, what it means to lead, what it means to leave it all on field. The chance to lead people initiatives in a company with MEMIC’s solid reputation and commitment – in the community, in the state, and in the industry – is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am thrilled to be able to join the MEMIC team, to lend my experience and support toward MEMIC’s vision for the future.”
In her role as at Androscoggin Bank executive vice president, Allen was instrumental in developing and implementing strategies in collaboration with the CEO and executive team that touched all aspects of the enterprise, including development of its Mission, Vision and Values, programs to increase staff empowerment, strategies and efforts around environmental and social governance (ESG), enhancing public relations, upgrading community philanthropy and volunteerism, and developing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging goals.
Bourque said he would rely on Allen for leadership in many of the same initiatives at MEMIC in the coming years.
He credited MEMIC Vice President of Human Resources Deb Sabatino and Director, Payroll and Benefits Kristen Wintle, for assuming added responsibility during Allen’s hiring. “I am grateful for their grace, expertise, and advice,” Bourque said.
Source: MEMIC