Wanda Irvine

Wanda Irvine, Receptionist at First Merchants Bank’s Farmington Hills, Mich. office, isn’t going to let something as small as retirement stop her from giving back.

After more than 40 years in banking – 11 of them with Level One, now First Merchants Bank – Wanda decided she needed to cut back – but not on her volunteer schedule.

Now, instead of helping to manage a banking center, Wanda greets customers with a smile as the Farmington Hills Office receptionist.

“I just love being around people, so I can’t imagine a retirement just sitting at home,” she explained.

“So, I decided to switch from a full-time position to a part-time one, and I consider that my semi-retirement,” she added with a laugh.

And, being involved with the bank means Wanda has plenty of opportunities to support her local community.

“I primarily work with the local Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “I like to do what I can – I’m never the quiet person. I’m always the person who will pop my hand up and pitch in.”

Whether that involves setting up a Chamber gala, hiding Easter eggs on a frigid Spring morning, or assisting with a charity golf outing, Wanda has gained a reputation as the go-to girl when someone needs a helping hand.

“If it’s something I’m passionate about, I’ll be right down there at the front line working on it,” she explained. “I love getting to know the people and learning about various good causes and what they’re doing.”

While Wanda has always had a heart for helping others, her hobby of volunteerism comes from working with her then-Branch Manager at the Novi, Mich. Banking Center. Her manager volunteered in the community often, and, inspired by her example, Wanda followed suit. When the manager had to cut back her own volunteerism efforts a few years later, Wanda kept at it.

In fact, Wanda is so known for helping others and working to better her community that she was named the local Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year.

“It’s great to be honored for something I just consider to be fun,” she shared.

When she’s not volunteering, Wanda enjoys exploring the world on various cruises – to date, she’s been on more than 30. But, most of all, she loves spending time with her family – her two grown sons and five grandchildren.

“My family is really and truly my heart, my life,” she shared.