Washington Trust Chairman and CEO Ned Handy Honored by Junior Achievement of RI

WESTERLY, R.I. — The Washington Trust Company (Washington Trust) today announced that Chairman and CEO Edward O. “Ned” Handy III is a 2026 recipient of Junior Achievement Rhode Island’s Morris J.W. Gaebe Profile in Excellence Award, which recognizes leaders who exemplify courageous thinking and action, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership, and a deep commitment to community.

Junior Achievement of Rhode Island’s highest honor, the Morris J.W. Gaebe Profile in Excellence Award is named in honor of Morris J.W. Gaebe, Chancellor Emeritus of Johnson & Wales University, whose more than 65‑year legacy of leadership, service, and support for education continues to inspire Rhode Island’s business and civic communities.  

Ned Handy’s deep commitment to the community and to giving back is both personal and professional. He and his family have long believed in the importance of active service and meaningful engagement, a value reflected throughout his career. Handy’s community involvement has been hands‑on and far‑reaching, most recently including service on numerous local boards, building a home with Habitat for Humanity alongside the Washington Trust team, and co‑chairing the capital campaign for Amos House’s community center, where he helped guide the project from concept through completion. His family has provided longstanding support of the San Miguel School, mentoring and sponsoring nearly a dozen students and maintaining enduring relationships with them well into adulthood.

As Handy has given back to the community throughout his career, his leadership has inspired Washington Trust employees to donate their time and expertise to nonprofit organizations across the Bank’s footprint. “Helping others is an integral part of what it means to work for a community bank. It’s what bankers should do and it’s who Washington Trust is,” said Handy. Employees regularly volunteer for organizations and initiatives that provide basic services, affordable housing and financial education, further advancing Washington Trust’s founding mission to be a local resource helping families and communities thrive.  That vision continues today, with the Bank expanding access to opportunities through innovative community lending programs such as I Luv RI™, Buyer’s Advantage™, and Home Opportunity™—initiatives created under Handy’s leadership to help reduce barriers to homeownership with flexible mortgage options, down‑payment and closing‑cost assistance, and waived lender fees.

That deep commitment to community also calls for courageous thinking and action—particularly when needs are most immediate. Handy demonstrated that leadership in November 2025, when public food assistance programs were facing cuts and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank sought an early sponsor partner for its Day of Giving. Without hesitation, Handy committed Washington Trust to a $10,000 matching gift, providing an early, visible show of support that helped galvanize broader participation from companies and individuals across the state. The effort ultimately generated more than $300,000 in donations and delivered critical funding to a statewide network of agencies serving more than 84,000 Rhode Islanders each month, underscoring Handy’s willingness to step forward, lead by example, and mobilize resources in moments that matter most.

Ned Handy and the other 2026 honorees were formally recognized at an awards dinner hosted by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island on May 7, 2026.