Adriana Garcia Bontreger

I came to Goshen at age 4, I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. Goshen has been such a welcoming community that part of me wanted to give back.

I chose Centier Bank as a career, and am also a member of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce. What’s unique about Centier is that it’s the largest privately owned family bank in Indiana. I think that’s one of the big ways it aligns perfectly with a community that already values family and the hometown feel. We focus on family, business, and being a welcoming space. When I’m at work, it’s like I’m welcoming people into my house as neighbors and friends. I was able to pitch to higher management that we needed a community room. There was a need for a space here at Centier that our employees could use for team meetings, business meetings, etc. I was able to get a separate building for the community to use. I can align my passion with the mission of the bank and it just organically melds together.

I am also the chair of the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County and am passionate about youth because they’re our future. I was mentored when I was younger. If it weren’t for those mentors I wouldn’t be who I am today. There’s something about having someone ask you, “Where do you want to be in 5 years?” Especially when you’re young.

Being here in Goshen has really shown me how amazing it is to love where you work and love what you do, and that you can do them passionately.