How BMO family member and soccer star Naomi Girma Boldly Grows the Good on and off the pitch
As we cheer on competitors from around the world at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, one of our colleagues is feeling extra pride for a U.S. soccer star—both on and off the field. Seble Demissie, a Branch Manager with BMO, has been cheering on her daughter, Naomi Girma, as the star defender helps the U.S. make a run at the 2023 World Cup, held this year in Australia and New Zealand.
“I’m incredibly proud that Naomi’s hard work has earned her a spot representing our country. When BMO announced its partnership with FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, it was a full-circle moment for me. I’m proud to be a team member at the Bank of Soccer!”
– Seble Demissie, Branch Manager, BMO
A winning mother-daughter duo
Both Seble and Naomi embody the Winning Culture championed at BMO. Throughout her storied soccer career, Naomi represented the U.S. at several international youth competitions, captained the Stanford Cardinals to a Women’s College Cup championship in 2019, and was named the Player of the Year of young American soccer players in 2020. Those efforts led her to being selected No. 1 overall in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League draft by the San Diego Wave, going on to earn both Defender of the Year and Rookie of the Year that season.
A personal mission to support mental health
Naomi’s drive and leadership doesn’t stop when she steps off the pitch. Along with teammates, she’s partnered with Common Goal—a charitable movement where football players and coaches pledge a portion of their salary in support of charities around the world—to launch a mental health initiative during the World Cup. It’s a personal mission for Naomi, who is committed to helping young people build tools to cope with mental health issues in honor of her former Stanford teammate Katie Meyer, who died by suicide last year. Donations received will go toward supporting communities that do not have access to mental health services, helping to provide support to those struggling with anxiety and depression.
“I’m proud of Naomi for so much more than soccer – she has an enormous heart and is bringing others along on her journey,” says Seble of her daughter’s work off the field.
Help support our BMO Family
In support of this great initiative that’s Boldly Growing the Good, BMO has donated $5,000 to Common Goal. If you would like to support this initiative too, you can donate through the Common Goal website.
As the Bank of Soccer, BMO is proud to be the Official Supporter in North America of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
