Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1044134
24 Worcester Business Journal | October 29, 2018 | wbjournal.com Jennifer Luisa VP, Marketing and Communications The Hanover Insurance Group Congratulations, Jen! Your leadership, creativity and collaborative spirit help drive our marketing communications efforts every day. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. hanover.com F O C U S O U T S T A N D I N G W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S 2015 ALUMNAE S usan A. Gunnell, since winning the 2015 Outstanding Women in Business award as chief operating officer, still works for the bank she started with as a teller in 1980. Only it's no longer known as Southbridge Savings Bank; it merged with SpencerBANK and is now Cornerstone Bank. As chief administrative officer, Gunnell said the bigger bank is the latest evolution in an industry she has loved since switching over from insurance work many, many years ago. "at was back during the gas crunch," she said. "I could only get five dollars' worth of gas at a time for my commute from Charlton. I knew someone who worked at a bank closer to my home who said, 'Would you ever consid- er being a teller?'" Gunnell – who has always liked computers and is skilled in math – has been told she takes on more than is expected. at is likely the reason behind her climb up the ranks in banking, which has seen changes such as remote-mobile deposit capture and other techno- logical advances over recent years. "I like to learn about new things," she said. "You have to be really adaptive." She has adapted to delegating work, something she says is easy with the team at Cornerstone. Now, there are certain departments she oversees, trusting others to do the work with her guidance if needed. e bank's hiring of a human-resources director with the merger took those responsibilities from Gunnell, but it means she can focus more now on other areas, like the bank's involvement in giving back to its community. e industry still has a need for face-to-face customer service, but mobile technology is rapidly advancing. Use of social media is another trend she's seen since winning the award, along with stronger economic and employment opportunities overall, Gunnell said. - Written by Susan Shalhoub Susan A. Gunnell 2015: Executive vice presi- dent & COO at Southbridge Savings Bank Now: Executive vice presi- dent and chief administrative officer of Cornerstone Bank in Southbridge W