Eileen Kraus
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| West Hartford resident, first woman to head a major regional financial institution.
Born and raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, Eileen Shanley Kraus graduated magna cum laude from Mt. Holyoke College in 1960 and then moved to Connecticut following her marriage to Hal Kraus. Her first job was as a part-time assistant to the then secretary of state, Ella Grasso, a fellow Holyoke alumna. Grasso as governor would later appoint Kraus to Chairman of the Governor's Council on Voluntary Action. Before beginning her meteoric career in banking, Kraus completed an M.A. in political science at Trinity College, where she also worked in the development office. She turned to volunteer work with the birth of her daughter and later founded her own consulting service, Career Search Resources. In 1979 Kraus was recruited to be vice-president of Human Resources Planning and Development at Hartford National Bank. By 1990 was promoted to vice-chairman of Shawmut National Corporate with responsibility for consumer banking and marketing for the Corporation. Her 1992 appointment as president of CNB was widely hailed as a milestone in the history of America's professional women. Kraus credits her own success to many factors: her fine education and love of learning; a good mix of ambition, energy and humor; a sincere interest in other people; a high degree of concentration and focus; and an ability to take advantage of opportunities. Banking deregulation gave Kraus the chance to prove how customer-need marketing could work. Her husband's decision to start his own business and the ten year gap between her daughter Janet and younger son Stephen facilitated the support of her family. Often recognized as a model for other chief executives, Kraus defines "leadership" as the "art of working with others." She is a feminist who believes talent is genderless and a diverse workforce serves the best interests of corporations. After retiring from banking, Kraus has continued to serve on numerous community and corporate boards, including vice chairman of the Capitol City Economic Development Authority, vice-president of the Bushnell Memorial Hall, and chairman of ConnectiCare Holding Company and ConnectiCare, Inc, and the Board of Directors of the Stanley Works, Kaman Corporations, and Rogers Corporation. Among her many honors are being named Business Leader of the Year by the Hartford Courant (1990), Woman of Merit by the Connecticut Valley Girl Scout Council (1994), and Laura A. Johnson Woman of the Year by Hartford College for Women (1998). She also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Hartford and Charter Oak State College. | |||||||||
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