Samantha Norquist

Chief Sustainability Officer, Forbright Bank

Professional Overview
Samantha Norquist is the Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Forbright Bank, where she leads the organization's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy and initiatives. With over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, she is a recognized expert in sustainability-focused banking and assurance services.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the Chief Sustainability Officer at Forbright Bank, Samantha is responsible for developing and implementing the bank's comprehensive sustainability program. She oversees the integration of ESG principles across all business operations, with a focus on driving sustainable growth, reducing the bank's environmental impact, and supporting community development initiatives. Under her leadership, Forbright Bank has become a frontrunner in the industry, achieving significant milestones in renewable energy financing, green lending, and sustainable investing.

Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Samantha held the position of Staff in the Assurance Services division at Ernst & Young, where she provided audit and advisory services to clients in the banking and financial services sectors. Her experience in this role included assessing and validating the effectiveness of internal controls, financial reporting processes, and regulatory compliance measures. Samantha's expertise in auditing and assurance has been instrumental in her ability to establish robust ESG frameworks and ensure the integrity of Forbright Bank's sustainability programs.

Academic Background
Samantha holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, where she specialized in Sustainable Business and Finance. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from the University of Maryland, graduating summa cum laude.

Areas of Expertise

• Sustainable banking and finance

• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy and implementation

• Assurance services and internal controls

• Financial reporting and regulatory compliance

• Leadership and strategic planning

Professional Impact
Under Samantha's guidance, Forbright Bank has significantly expanded its sustainable lending portfolio, with a focus on renewable energy, green infrastructure, and affordable housing projects. The bank has also achieved carbon neutrality in its own operations and implemented innovative employee engagement initiatives to promote environmental stewardship. Samantha's thought leadership and industry contributions have been recognized through her participation in various sustainability-focused forums and her appointment to the board of directors of the Sustainable Banking Alliance.

Conclusion
Samantha Norquist is a trailblazer in the field of sustainable banking, leveraging her expertise in finance, assurance, and ESG strategy to drive meaningful change within the industry. As the Chief Sustainability Officer at Forbright Bank, she continues to shape the future of responsible and impactful banking, positioning the organization as a leader in environmental and social sustainability.