A career banker who has spent 40 years of her life with CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has been hailed as a “living legend” and an example for other employees.
This from CEO of CIBC FirstCaribbean, Rik Parkhill, as he paid tribute to Lynda Goodridge, Director Regional Operations (Barbados), in a surprise 40th anniversary celebration held recently in her honour at the bank’s Barbados Business Centre, Warrens Industrial Park, St. Michael.
Goodridge joined the bank on 27 November, 1973 as a teller at the then CIBC in Speightstown. Her grounding as a teller provided a foundation for her journey through the bank as a supervisor, manager, Regional Manager Processing Centres, before taking up her current position. At her celebration, a stunned Goodridge was treated to a series of humorous and tender tributes from colleagues, both past and present.
In his appreciation Parkhill noted that he had heard of Goodridge long before he’d even met her through a series of meetings at which attendees would often refer to her. Keen to meet this “living legend” he invited her to lunch and there was greeted with a host of suggestions for improvements at the bank. “The bank needs more Lynda Goodridges. She’s a true leader and has inspired so many. Lynda has a passion for the bank and its customers. We continue to need her leadership and thank her very much for her service to CIBC FirstCaribbean.”
Pastor, former CIBC manager and friend, Arlette Waterman, recounted some of the many exploits she and Goodridge shared which evoked laughter from guests and colleagues. One anecdote highlighted how they used to compete with each other to see who would serve the most customers in a day. Waterman added, “Lynda is a thinker and visionary. The bank is the richer for having had her for 40 years.”
Appreciations were also shared by Clenell Goodman, former CIBC manager and member of the board of CIBC FirstCaribbean (Barbados); Mark St. Hill, Managing Director, Retail and Business Banking; Hemant Ratanjankar, Senior Director Operations, Regional; and Jude Pinto, Managing Director, Technology and Operations.
Goodridge was also serenaded in song by employee, Sherry Carter, before herself singing a rendition of “Amazing Grace” and expressing her own appreciation to the bank. “CIBC FirstCaribbean is the greatest financial institution and has afforded me many opportunities.”
Admitting that she set out to lose her job at the bank within the first year because her initial dream was to own a hotel, Goodridge encouraged employees, “Every one of us has the opportunity to make our mark and I’m looking forward to a time of greater success for the bank. I’m really proud to be here today.”
During her career with the bank, Goodridge has received numerous awards such as the Top Performing Customer Service Manager/Manager Administration for five consecutive years, CIBC Annual Achiever 1999, and the prestigious CIBC FirstCaribbean Player of the Series – Exemplary Leader 2011.
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