Christel Kennedy is the Chief Operating Officer for Santander Bank, N.A. and the U.S. Head of Change Management for Santander Holdings USA, Inc.  In these roles, she oversees the ongoing business operations within the bank, including call center and back office functions, and she is responsible for driving project management disciplines across the U.S. and execution of many large U.S. programs.

Chris is a member of the Santander US Leadership Team, the Santander US Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, and the executive sponsor of the Women’s Network across the US entities. She resides in Boston and is an active member of her community.  Chris received her B.S. in Financial Management from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and has 30+ years’ experience in the Financial Services industry.

Chris is a third-generation Irish American on her father’s side.  The first Kennedy to immigrate to the U.S. in 1883 was Edward Martin Kennedy and his wife Sarah Walsh from County Tipperary, who settled in Philadelphia.  The Kennedy clan were primarily laborers with strong work ethics and great family values.  These traits have been passed down through the generations.