Karyn Polak

About Karyn Polak

I am passionate about social and economic equity, making progress towards a more regenerative and inclusive global economy, and the power of every single individual to contribute to the greater good if given agency and opportunity. I’m a lifelong learner and transparent communicator who brings to this work an insatiable curiosity; a facility for convening and connecting people and issues; and extensive private sector financial services experience and C-level legal expertise. Throughout my career, I’ve served as a strategic partner to C-suite executives; an advisor on sustainable finance and responsible business; and an inclusive, servant leader of dynamic legal, compliance, and government affairs teams in three top-ten financial institutions. My role – and my success – has always been to offer insights that accelerate growth while appropriately managing risk and balancing opportunity with costs (in every sense of the word). I’ve continually been tapped because of my ability to facilitate cross-function, cross-sector collaboration to maximize positive influence and impact.Highlights from my career thus far include:• Held leadership roles in banking, brokerage, wealth management, and insurance institutions; legal, financial services, and diversity-focused industry groups; and executive leadership and talent development networks.• Actively engaged as member, leader, public speaker, and advocate in economic growth and civic organizations and efforts. Launched an impact advisory to support individuals, foundations, non-profits, social enterprises, start-ups, and institutions to amplify and accelerate their social and economic impact to benefit people, place, and planet.• Managed local, national, and global teams ranging from seven to 300 people.• Managed an eight-figure P&L and outside counsel expense budget for the largest subsidiary of a public insurance company and revamped and oversaw grantmaking from a seven-figure corporate foundation.Beyond work, I prioritize fitness, music, reading, and most importantly time with friends & family.FOCUS: Strategic Advisor, Policy Advocate, Inclusive Economic Growth, Sustainability, Impact Investing, Diversity Equity Inclusion, Public Private Partnership, Public Benefit Corporations, B Corporations, Change Management, Servant Leader, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Governance, Community Development, Place-based Investing, Collective Impact

Experience

1. President, CEO, and Treasurer (as of June 2)

   Delaware Bankers Association

   Apr 2025 — Present · DE, US

   Serving the financial industry as CEO of The Delaware Bankers Association and The Delaware Financial Education Alliance. Founded in 1895, the Delaware Bankers Association (DBA) serves as the face and voice of the state’s banking industry. Unique to Delaware, the DBA’s membership is remarkably diverse,encompassing tax-paying international, national, and state-chartered non-deposit trust companies, state limited-purpose trust companies, banks with branches in Delaware, and institutions with significant operations in the state. Collectively, these entities account for over $4.2 trillion in total assets, as reported by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.With a proud history spanning more than a century, the DBA is deeply connected to its members, the community, and the state of Delaware. Today, the association represents and supports the approximately individuals employed by Delaware’s financial institutions. The DBA’s mission is to provide leadership and resources to its members, their employees, and the broader Delaware community. The DBA’s subsidiary, the Delaware Financial Education Alliance (DFEA), is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing financial well-being across the state. The DFEA offers financial literacy training, with a special emphasis on serving low- and moderate-income individuals in Delaware. Additionally, the DFEA provides professional development and training programs for employees of DBA member institutions, supporting workforce and professional development within the industry.Delaware’s business-friendly environment, progressive legislation, and renowned chancery court system position the state as a national leader in the banking industry, hosting operations of some of thelargest financial institutions in the country.

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis

  B.A., Political Science and French

  1987 — 1991

• Washington University in St. Louis

  Bachelor of Arts & Sciences, Political Science and French

• Boston University School of Law

  J.D.

  1991 — 1994

Skills

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Finra
• Private Equity
• Corporate Law
• Strategy
• Governance
• Mergers
• Corporate Governance
• Securities Regulation
• Securities
• Investments
• Corporate Finance
• Banking
• Risk Management
• Capital Markets