At Tompkins, we prioritize relationships, mutual support and a sense of belonging to create and maintain a culture of excellence. We value loyalty, trust and a sense of shared responsibility which fosters a growth mindset, encourages collaboration and recognizes the importance of community in all aspects of work and life.
Our Mission
To deliver a remarkable financial services experience that creates sustainable value for our clients, communities and shareholders.
Our Vision
We will be our clients’ most trusted financial advisor, a great place to work and a leader in our communities, while delivering consistently superior performance.
Our Values
Integrity
Client-Centric
Community Impact
Sustainable Excellence
Empowerment
Commitment to and from Employees
Our Values Defined
Integrity: Respect the Company with the highest standards of honesty and ethical principles.
Client-Centric: Create the best experience for our clients within the overall interest of the client and company.
Community Impact: Enhance the vitality of our community through meaningful engagement and stewardship.
Sustainable Excellence: Ensure decisions are made with a long-term view that deliver sustainable benefits to our stakeholders.
Empowerment: Trusting others with responsibilities and authority to make decisions within the scope of their role.
Commitment to and from Employees: Provide mutual support in ways which support lasting loyalty and long-term commitment.
Our Leadership Commitment
Our leadership teams are committed to fostering a culture where everyone belongs and feels valued and accepted. Our Board of Directors believes that having a wide variety of experiences, skills, and perspectives from the boardroom to the breakroom creates a better working environment that allows everyone the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally and succeed as a member of our Tompkins community.
Initiatives
Our team members are the very heartbeat of Tompkins. And we know the uniqueness − and happiness − of each and every one of them is key to the success of our company and our communities. If you seek a workplace that values team members from different backgrounds and cultures with varied skills, experiences, perspectives and ideas, then picture yourself here.
Our commitment is to create an environment where everyone is valued. Our One Tompkins initiative brings together minds and ideas from across the company to implement educational sessions and cultural celebrations. You’ll see these efforts reflected in our onboarding and mentoring processes. You’ll see them reflected in resources to support us internally and support our communities externally, like our Employee Resource Groups and Acorn Community Alliance.
Who is Tompkins?
We are happy to showcase our new series "I am Tompkins." We are introducing you to some of our amazing team members and leaders across Tompkins, showcasing their hobbies outside of banking and giving you some insight into the faces behind your local bank!
Bill Steinmetz, SVP, Chief Technology Officer.
Outside of Tompkins, Bill is a road cyclist, building his resilience and goal setting abilities to help support his team at Tompkins.
“My road cycling hobby is much like my leadership style, centered around endurance, resilience, and clear goal-setting. Cycling builds my physical endurance, paralleling my ability as a leader to keep going over the long haul. It also enhances my mental resilience, helping me tackle stress and bounce back quickly, which is vital for maintaining a positive and motivating atmosphere for my team, especially when things get tough. Just like I set personal goals to ride a certain distance or improve my times in cycling, I approach leadership by setting clear and achievable objectives for my team.”
I am a Cyclist. I am a Leader. I am Tompkins.
Laura Geary, SVP, Community Banking Division Manager.
Outside of Tompkins, Laura has been actively involved with Odyssey of the Mind, a program that teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers.
"I have coached and judged for Odyssey of the Mind for 13 years. Although the international program is geared towards students, the principal of coaching them through solving a problem versus giving them the solution is the same concept effective leaders practice in the workplace. Asking good questions, listening closely, and learning to re-direct, are all aspects of leadership I use every day. Leadership is not about the end result, it’s about how you influence people to the end result."
Outside of Tompkins, Myriah is a knitter, utilizing the patience the skill demands in her role at Tompkins.
"I finished my first sweater in 2023 but I started the sweater years and years prior. What did I learn in that time and how can I possibly relate it to my 15-year career at Tompkins?
Patience and Persistence: just like knitting, leadership takes time and mistakes are part of the process. Attention to Detail: one missed stitch or one overlooked issue can unravel everything. Vision and Creativity: both start with a pattern or plan, but the magic is in how we adapt. Mentorship and Empowerment: knitters teach others, so do great leaders. Presence and Mindfulness: knitting grounds you in the moment, so does leading with empathy and accountability.
Remember every stitch counts, no matter where it is in the process."
I am a Knitter. I am a Leader. I am Tompkins.
Kay Lewis, VP, Director of Bank Compliance.
Outside of Tompkins, Kay plays pickleball, translating the constant need to adapt in the game to her role at Tompkins.
"My hobby is pickleball. Pickleball reflects my approach to leadership in terms of paying attention to details, adapting and working with a new teammate every game. Much like leading the compliance department, pickleball requires strategy, teamwork, collaboration and risk management. I love the fast pace of the game and how you need to quickly adapt during each play."
I am a Pickleball Player. I am a Leader. I am Tompkins.
Outside of Tompkins, Trevor dedicates his time to volunteering, using those experiences and skills to benefit his local community through working with nonprofits and his role at Tompkins. Trevor is pictured volunteering at the annual Earth Day Clean-Up event hosted by Downtown Committee of Syracuse Inc.
“Volunteerism is a large part of my life. I’m always looking for ways to give back and further serve the not-for-profits in my community. Every year I try to allocate time to participate in event planning, fundraising, coordinating donations, and leading committees for the benefit of a number of organizations in my community. Not only is it self-fulfilling, but it offers incredible leadership opportunities. Being engaged, advocating for others, and cultivating empathy, are leadership skills that I’ve developed through volunteering.”
I am a Volunteer. I am a Leader. I am Tompkins.
Alyssa Fontaine, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer.
Outside of work, Alyssa coaches youth Lacrosse, deepening her understanding of what makes up a team and meeting people where they are in their life and career.
"Kids arrive to local sports with a wide variety of skills and backgrounds. Effective leadership, either at work or on the field, requires a commitment to understanding and respecting where everyone is coming from, so that we can all move forward together."
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