Washington Trust’s Betsy Flanagan honored with Rhode Island Bankers Association’s ‘Bank Forward Trailblazer’ award
October 08, 2025
Washington Trust is proud to announce that Elizabeth “Betsy” Flanagan, vice president and human resources business partner, has been honored with the Bank Forward Trailblazer award by the Rhode Island Bankers Association (RIBA). This recognition celebrates Betsy’s leadership and commitment to the Bank Forward initiative, which empowers individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in banking.
Betsy has been a driving force behind Bank Forward since its inception. As a member of the exploratory committee, she helped define the initiative’s mission and long-term goals. Her strategic leadership on both the planning committee and the human resources subcommittee has been instrumental in developing impactful programming, including mock interviews, resume reviews, and career development events that empower aspiring banking professionals across Rhode Island.
Betsy regularly volunteers her time to ensure that Bank Forward events are welcoming, engaging, and effective. Her outreach has included speaking engagements at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), where she participated in Career Discovery Day and served as a guest lecturer in the Principles of Management course, helping students envision meaningful careers in banking.
Betsy has also partnered with Progreso Latino to conduct resume review and interview technique workshops, providing critical tools to job seekers from underserved communities. Her efforts have helped reduce barriers to entry and foster a more inclusive banking workforce.
“Betsy’s dedication to inclusivity, workforce development, and mentorship has made a lasting impact on the Rhode Island banking industry,” said Washington Trust Chairman and CEO Edward O. “Ned” Handy III. “Betsy exemplifies the values of Washington Trust and the spirit of the Bank Forward initiative. Washington Trust congratulates her on this well-deserved recognition.”
In her 35-year career as a human resources leader, Betsy has spent over three decades working in the banking industry, the last 29 of which have been at Washington Trust, Rhode Island’s oldest financial services institution.
In addition to her work with Bank Forward, Betsy has supported numerous Washington Trust community service efforts, including the Attire for Hire clothing drive to benefit the Warm Center, financial literacy education at Blackstone Academy Charter School, and mock interviews with the bank’s Year Up United interns.
Betsy holds the SHRM-SCP certification and has earned the SHRM Foundation’s “Veterans at Work” and “Employing Abilities at Work” credentials, underscoring her commitment to inclusive hiring practices. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST®
Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is recognized as the oldest community bank in the nation, the largest state-chartered bank headquartered in Rhode Island and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. In 2025, Washington Trust reached a milestone of 225 years in operation, marking its commitment to helping the people, businesses, and organizations of New England improve their financial lives. The Bank offers a wide range of commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management services through its offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts and a full suite of convenient digital tools. Washington Trust is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. Washington Trust is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a publicly-owned holding company which trades on NASDAQ: WASH. For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.washtrust.com or the Corporation's website at ir.washtrust.com.