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March 31, 2016

Successful Alumni Spotlight

 

Lauren Kolb ’10 (OM) and '12 (MSL) - A Woman to Watch

Sloane, S. (2016, March 28) Democrat & Chronicle

As a lifelong professional dancer and choreographer, the thought of working in banking and finance never entered Lauren Kolb’s mind. Yet, today she holds a senior leadership position for Canandaigua National Corp.

In January, Kolb was promoted to senior vice president of business development and client services for Genesee Valley Trust, part of CNC. During her prior ten years at the company, she had been a teller and financial services representative. Several promotions later, she now drives business growth as GVT’s liaison for marketing, communications, corporate culture and client services. Her experience in the performing arts meshes perfectly with her position, which she says “is more about helping people than about numbers.”

“I loved mentoring and leading while in theater. I learned from others that being in the chorus was as important as being the star. I can work in positions at all levels, knowing that a team attitude is vital to the end result.”

Kolb’s career path included international tours with the USO, working as a professional choreographer, and managing a restaurant/banquet facility (where she met her husband, state Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb).

Throughout life, she strived for versatility and faced challenges head-on, a work ethic she learned from her parents. Entering Roberts Wesleyan College as an adult learner at 38, Kolb earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with perfect 4.0 GPAs. She simultaneously worked full-time, volunteered and became a wife and stepmother, astounding those who said she “wasn’t college material.”  Continue Full D&C Story here 

Kolb recently received the 2015 ATHENA award. “Continue to follow your passion,” Kolb said. “Be passionate — to make some place better than how you found it." Read full story at,  Voices of Roberts - special recognition

Learn more about the Roberts Organizational Management (OM) & Strategic Leadership Programs (MSL).

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