The American Banker’s Association Foundation has named Webster Bank’s Kathy Luria winner of the 2019 George Bailey Distinguished Service Award. A senior vice president for community affairs and philanthropy at the Connecticut-based bank, Luria was recognized for her efforts to expand and enhance Webster’s community and philanthropic engagement.

Since 2014, the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award has been given to a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative, commitment to their customers and community, and the ability to inspire others. The ABA Foundation selects the winner after a review of nominations submitted by banks of all sizes across the country.

Luria will receive the award, the ABA’s Foundation’s highest individual honor, at ABA’s annual convention in Seattle on Oct. 29.

“Kathy Luria’s work at Webster serves as an example to the entire industry for how bankers can and should engage with their communities,” Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO, said in a statement. “Thanks to her efforts it’s clear that Webster is making a tangible difference in the communities it serves. We’re proud to recognize her as the 2019 George Bailey Award winner.”

Since joining Webster in 2006, Luria has expanded the bank’s community partnerships, enhanced Webster’s philanthropic work and created an innovative food security program among other accomplishments. Under Luria’s leadership, Webster’s contributions to the United Way have grown every year, resulting in a record $1.55 million in 2018 thanks to banker pledges, fundraising initiatives and a corporate match program that she helped increase.

As part of the bank’s commitment to financial literacy, Luria also established a relationship with Junior Achievement (JA), the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. Luria has worked with JA chapters across Webster’s communities, providing funding, senior leadership and banker volunteers for financial literacy lessons

Luria also leveraged the bank’s accelerated annual community investment to develop Webster’s Food Security Initiative: Feeding our Regional Food Banks. The initiative provides grants for a food-based job training program and a summer food backpack program for school children.

“Since our founding in 1935, Webster has been a values-guided, community-minded bank. Our bankers demonstrate this throughout our everyday interactions in the communities we serve,” John R. Ciulla, president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are honored to receive this prestigious award on behalf of our 3,400 bankers and congratulate Kathy on this well-deserved recognition.”

Luria is chair of the Connecticut Council of Philanthropy board and sits on the advisory committee for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Working Cities Challenge. She is also the director and assistant vice president of the Harold Webster Smith Foundation, which supports economic development, community health and more in Waterbury and surrounding areas.