Committing to our communities through actions large and small
On June 28, 2019, almost 1,000 people gathered at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee to celebrate and honor the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2019 Women of Influence award honorees. Our very own Raquel Filmanowicz was recognized with a Women of Influence “Behind the Scenes” award.
Now in its 20th year, the Women of Influence awards honor women from southeastern Wisconsin who lift our community and are helping shape its future. The event itself brings together honorees’ families, friends and colleagues to show their support and cheer them on as recipients accept their award.
As a woman who has spent her entire career in service to her community, Raquel is the epitome of a woman of influence in the “Behind the Scenes” category. She has held the position of Director of Community Giving for BMO Harris Bank since 2012. In this role she is responsible for the strategic investment of philanthropic dollars for the bank for all of Wisconsin, Indianapolis and St. Louis.
Over Raquel’s tenure, she has developed several signature community partnerships in health, education, youth development and the arts that have made an impressive impact on the Greater Milwaukee community and region. As a member of the Chancellor’s Committee for Hispanic Serving Initiatives, Raquel is helping to establish the strategic priorities by which the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will achieve its goal of becoming a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution. In addition, as Chair of the Board of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, Raquel helps lead this prestigious organization in its important work helping Hispanic professionals and students to take their deserved place at the table as leaders of tomorrow.
BMO is committed to boldly grow the good in business and in life. Raquel’s efforts are a testimony to the work that we do inside and outside of the bank. Just as we fuel the ambitions of our customers, we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those in the communities we serve.
“I just like to help our city, in any way that I can,” Raquel says. “Everyone can do something, whether your actions are large or small, you can make a difference.”
Written by Marisa Coulter, a BMO Corporate Communications Manager in Chicago, IL. In her spare time, Marisa enjoys traveling and rock climbing.
