Charlotte Adams

Charlotte Adams took a circuitous route on her way to her current role.

“I started out working for a software company, and then I transitioned into a project manager. My first job at First Merchants was actually as a project manager,” she shared.

At the time, Charlotte supported First Merchants’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Compliance, and Risk teams. But it wasn’t until she found her current role that she felt she found where she belonged.

“I never thought I would be in banking, but, with my current role, I love every minute of it,” she said. “I have the ability to have an impact, I can lead, and I can influence our community impact strategy. It’s work that fills me with full-on joy.”

Charlotte now works as the Corporate Social Responsibility Program Coordinator, which means she helps coordinate and lead volunteer activities, oversees charitable contributions, implements structure so that the entire CSR department works as one unit, and manages financial wellness resources, among other things.

“Sometimes I wonder how to communicate my role to others,” she joked. “But, overall, I oversee our community impact—which is something I’m extremely passionate about.”

For Charlotte, banks exist to help others, which is why she loves to dive in to the financial wellness piece of her work.

“I want everyone to be financially well,” she said. “I often think, ‘If I had known these things when I was younger, where would I be?’ So that’s what guides me and drives me. I want to help people get to a place where knowledge is empowering and creates opportunities for them to be in a better position in their lives. My favorite part of my work is being able to be a conduit of help that truly makes a difference.”

Recently, Charlotte volunteered at the local library for AARP Tax Aid, and said she felt so fulfilled interacting with seniors, answering their questions, and gently guiding them through the process.

“I’d never volunteered for this service before, so I was really nervous. But as I was there I found so much fulfillment in helping people,” she shared. “There are so many vulnerable people in our society who just need someone to help them and answer their questions about complicated topics—you just have to be encouraging, be present. I love helping like this, because it brings so much joy and fulfilment to others, and therefore does the same for me.”

And that desire isn’t just limited to her job duties. Charlotte is heavily involved in employee-focused groups within First Merchants Bank and is known for posting encouraging messages and daily leadership lessons designed to help colleagues reflect and grow.

“I feel like my mission in life is to encourage equipment and power, So anytime I have that opportunity to influence or encourage I try to take it.,” she said. “Because what if that one word is something that someone needed to hear that day? Or encouragement they really needed to make it through?”

Outside of First Merchants, Charlotte is heavily involved in her church, and, in the past, served on the board of Schaefer Leadership Academy. Currently, she’s hoping to join another board—the Black Chamber in Fort Wayne, Ind. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and putting together puzzles to relax, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Want to make a difference in your own community? We have open positions – find your passion: Careers With Us | First Merchants Bank

The Teammates in Action series features First Merchants teammates who embody the spirit and impact of the company’s Vision: “to enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities we serve.”