Susan Murphy came to community banking in a roundabout way. In high school, her dream was to become a professional musician – and she achieved it. After earning her associate’s degree in marketing, she spent a decade playing guitar and singing, including two appearances at Carnegie Hall. But as is often the case, after awhile, she realized she “needed a day job.”

After stints in hotel catering, temping and eventually working at United Bank (which became Fleet Bank), and working in the communications department at the University of Hartford, she came to Liberty Bank in 1997.

Murphy calls her varied journey to Liberty “a pathway of opportunity,” and now that she’s there, can’t see herself going anywhere else. She started at the bank as the communications manager, and a few short months into the position, began working with the bank’s charitable foundation –  which she now calls “the world’s best job.”

“I come to work every day, thinking about the people at the bottom end of the income ladder and how we can improve their lives, help them realize the dreams they have,” she said. “They have dreams like everyone else, but don’t have the opportunities and advantages to achieve them.”

The foundation recently stepped in to help fund Pathways to Your Future, an after-school program in Middletown. Funding was in place for about 30 students, and with the bank’s financial assistance, enrollment increased to 80. The children receive help with homework, tutoring and career mentoring.

“For those 50 kids, that’s pretty big,” she said. “If you remember your first job and what an impact it had on you, and everything you learned – these kids are going to have a first job because of the help we provided.”

Her job provides “hugely satisfying work,” she said. “It’s not easy, and not every story is a success story, but it happens often enough that it’s always worth it.”

Giving Freely

Brenda Woods, employment manager/diversity officer at Liberty Bank, said that Murphy volunteers hundreds of hours of her own time to community groups.

“She never looks for recognition for any of the work she does,” Woods said. “She always gives freely of her time and expertise. Because of her outstanding reputation, individuals, nonprofits, colleagues and the community at large often call on Sue for advice, assistance and time. If you ask her, she’ll just say she’s doing her job, but anyone who knows her knows she always goes above and beyond.”

For Murphy, it’s pretty simple: “We’re concerned with the customers, the communities that we work in, and our employees. If you concern yourself with the welfare of those three things, you succeed.”