Harris' Emilia DiMenco joins Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) as Strategic Advisor

CHICAGO, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Harris is pleased to announce that Emilia DiMenco, Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking, Harris Bank, will be joining the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) as part of Harris' "Loaned Executive" Program.  

Emilia, who is largely responsible for the Harris Commercial team's "Women in Business" initiative, will be taking on the role of Strategic Advisor at the WBDC.

"Emilia's incredible depth of experience at Harris will be invaluable to the WBDC," said Hedy Ratner, WBDC co-president and co-founder.  "She has a passion for helping and mentoring women in business, and we look forward to adding her to our team as a strategic advisor.  Emilia's new role, as well as her role as a board member over the past eight years, serves as prime examples of the kind of support that Harris has provided the WBDC since its inception."

"I want to thank my colleagues at Harris for making this happen," said Emilia.  "Corporate support for economic empowerment organizations such as the WBDC is critical to fuel economic growth and create jobs."

Emilia will report to Harris Vice Chair Peter McNitt for the duration of the program.

About Harris

Headquartered in Chicago, Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1.2 million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group, which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.

About the WBDC

The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC), a nationally and internationally recognized women's business assistance center in its 25th year of operation, provides a continuum of business development services to prospective and established women entrepreneurs.  The WBDC has helped over 65,000 women and men start and expand their businesses through coaching, counseling, entrepreneurial training, financial and procurement assistance and conferences.  The WBDC currently certifies over 1,300 women business enterprises throughout a nine-state Midwestern region; operates a satellite office in Minneapolis, Minnesota; provides additional regional programming for WBEs in Milwaukee, St. Louis and Kansas City; and is a leading advocate for women's economic and business development.  The mission of the WBDC is to provide services and programs that support and accelerate women's business ownership and strengthen the impact of women on the economy.

Harris® is a trade name used by various financial service subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp.  Banking products and services are provided by Harris N.A., The Harris Bank, N.A. and their bank affiliates, Members FDIC. 

Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC-registered investment advisor.  Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Investment banking services are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCMC) and BMO Capital Markets GKST, Inc. (GKST), a Municipal Bond Dealer and member FINRA and SIPC.  Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc. (HSBSB), an SEC registered investment advisor.  Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc.  Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC (HmyCFO), a SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc.  Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors (SOWA) is an SEC-registered investment advisor. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM), an SEC-registered investment advisor.  Products offered by HIS, HBIS, BMOCM, HSBSB, HmyCFO and HIM, affiliated companies and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp.,: Are Not Insured by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit of or guaranteed by Any Bank or Bank Affiliate, May lose Value.  The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition to any bank loan or service.  Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

SOURCE Harris