Company: BWFG
Filing Date: 2025-04-08
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001505732-25-000079
Chunk: 13

Company: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-08
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 13
---
 He became the Chief Risk and Operations Officer in June 2023 and was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer in January 2024. From 2021 to July 2022, he served as Global Head of Financial Crimes at Wex, Inc. a global financial technology payments company. From 2012 to 2021, Mr. Brunner held multiple compliance and risk management positions at Sterling National Bank, serving as BSA/AML/OFAC Compliance & Security Officer from 2017 until the bank’s merger with Webster Financial Bank. During his 9 years at Sterling National Bank, the bank grew its assets from $3 billion to over $30 billion. Prior thereto, Mr. Brunner held similar risk management roles at Ally Financial, Inc. (2011-2012) and AXA Equitable (2004-2011). Mr. Brunner earned his B.S. in Economic Crime Investigation, with a concentration in Computer Security from Utica University.

Christine A. Chivily, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Company and the Bank. Ms. Chivily, age 66, joined the Company in April 2013. She has over 40 years of experience in banking and real estate finance. She previously served in a risk management role for the CRE and C&I loan portfolios at People’s United Bank. Her prior experience also includes five years as Director of Freddie Mac’s New England region for multifamily properties and 11 years as Senior Credit Officer at RBS Greenwich Capital. She also has over 10 years of combined experience in lending, loan administration and workouts at other various banking institutions. Ms. Chivily serves on the Board of Inspirica, Inc. Ms. Chivily received her B.A. from Mt. Holyok e College.

Ryan J. Hildebrand, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Hildebrand, age 42, joined the Company in June 2023. Prior to joining the Company, from 2021 to 2023, he served as the Strategic Innovation Officer at Lincoln Savings Bank and as the President of Lincoln Savings Bank’s financial technology subsidiary, LSBX, which experienced significant deposit and revenue growth under his leadership. Prior to this role, Mr. Hildebrand held the position of Head of Fintech Banking at Cross River Bank, which established numerous new partnerships during his tenure from 2019 to 2021. In 2013, he co