Michael Shepherd, chairman and CEO of S.F.-based Bank of the West and BancWest Corporation, has been chosen to receive B’nai B’rith International’s 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award.
The award recognizes community and corporate leaders from around the world for their community service, dedicated leadership and commitment to improving the lives of others. An award ceremony will take place Wednesday, May 22 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in San Francisco.
In addition to overseeing Bank of the West, Shepherd is a member of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, providing advice on expanding access to banking for underserved populations. A Stanford University graduate, he is a director of Operation HOPE, a nonprofit that helps provide financial advice to low-income communities. From 2008 to 2012, he served as director of the Presidio Trust, a federal agency.
“When looking at potential recipients for this award, it’s important that we find someone who embodies the values of B’nai B’rith — and Michael Shepherd does just that,” said Allan J. Jacobs, president of B’nai B’rith International.
“Under Michael’s leadership, Bank of the West galvanizes its community development loans and investments, charitable contributions and team member volunteer hours to improve the social and economic health of the neighborhoods it serves, especially those that are under-resourced,” Jacobs added.
B’nai B’rith, one of the oldest Jewish service organizations in the world, has presented its Distinguished Achievement Awards for more than four decades.