Doug Snellen’s path in the financial world is one defined by purpose, passion, and people. With more than 14 years of experience under his belt, Doug found his way to First Commonwealth after a long stint at larger banks—seeking something more meaningful, more community-focused. And that’s exactly what he found.
Today, he’s the AVP Member Experience Market Manager, leading four financial centers and serving as Chair of our Financial Wellness and Scholarship Committee. From championing financial literacy in underserved communities to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Doug is leaving his mark in big and bold ways.
In this conversation, Doug sits down to share what motivates him, how his personal experiences have shaped his mission, and why financial wellness isn’t just a job—it’s who he is.
What originally drew you to First Commonwealth, and how did your career path lead you to become the AVP, Member Experience Market Manager?
Doug: That's a really good question. I've been in the banking industry for about 14 years, working at bigger banks. When I left, I looked for something with more of a community feel—somewhere I could help people without cutting through all the red tape. First Commonwealth was a no-brainer. I started as a Member Experience Associate at the Crawford Financial Center and worked my way up to Member Experience Associate II, which is an assistant manager position. From there, I became a Member Experience Manager, then a Multi-site Member Experience Manager, and now the Member Experience Market Manager.
Justin: You've definitely climbed the ladder here at First Commonwealth.
Doug: I have.
Justin: That’s exciting, and I bet it makes what you're doing now all the more worthwhile.
Doug: It does. Starting as a Member Experience Associate gives me a unique perspective—especially when we hire new team members. I can help them develop because I’ve been in their shoes.
You’ve earned quite a few impressive certifications: Certified Financial Educator, Certified Financial Counselor, Scrum Master, IRA Specialist—and that's just to name a few. Where do you find the time, and what motivates you to continue that education?
Doug: When you put it on paper, it sounds impressive. I’ve had great leaders and mentors who gave me the opportunity to grow at First Commonwealth and continue my education. I also have strong teams that support me, which allows me time to learn and bring that knowledge back to them. Certifications don’t mean much if you’re not sharing the information with the people it matters to. I’ve got great partners and great teams who help make that possible. And for me, the passion lies in learning—my grandmother always said if you don't learn something new every day, you're not truly living. That stuck with me. I’m always open to learning because it helps me grow and support others.
You oversee our Bethlehem, Easton, Northwood, and Phillipsburg Financial Centers, which is quite a diverse area. How do you support your teams in delivering exceptional member experience across all of those financial centers?
Doug: Anybody who knows the area knows it's very diverse. It all comes down to the teams. I have four strong, diverse teams—some with years of banking experience and some with none when they started. It’s about having the right people in the right places and listening to them, because no financial center is the same. Listening to what the teams are saying and developing a plan from that is key. Easton, Northwood, Crawford, Phillipsburg—those are very different communities, so you can’t use a cookie-cutter approach.
Doug, on top of all the work that you do at our financial centers and overseeing those financial centers, you also play a huge role in financial wellness. You are the Chair of our Financial Wellness and Scholarship Committee. What does financial wellness mean to you, and why is it such a key focus here at First Commonwealth?
Doug: To me, financial wellness is everything. I grew up in inner-city Philadelphia in a low-income family. I’ve seen the mistakes made by family members and friends. I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck, wondering where the next meal would come from. That’s what drives me—helping others avoid that. If I can help one person not go through what I went through, it’s worth it. First Commonwealth does a great job focusing on financial wellness and literacy, especially in underserved communities where it’s needed most.
Justin: Just like our financial centers can't use a cookie-cutter template, financial wellness works the same way—no two people are experiencing the same thing.
Doug: Absolutely. You have areas like Allentown, Easton, Berks County, Phillipsburg—each underserved or underbanked in their own way. You have to tailor your approach based on who you’re speaking to, whether it’s age, gender, race, or anything else.
Can you share some of the ways that First Commonwealth has been actively involved in promoting financial wellness? And what do you think has the most impact on the community?
Doug: The biggest impact is with the youth. We’ve developed an extensive financial literacy program, including a partnership with Raub Middle School in Allentown. We started with an after-school program and were then asked to incorporate it into their eighth-grade curriculum so students could get their working papers. We teach weekly and plan to expand to another grade level. We also teach the parents in the evenings because family is crucial in financial wellness. You can’t teach kids how to manage money without involving the parents. We’ve also partnered with Marvine Elementary in Bethlehem and are expanding to other schools across the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, and Warren County, New Jersey.
Justin: That’s fantastic.
Doug: It is.
We recently launched our new financial wellness platform. Can you tell us a little bit about it? What excites you the most, and what do you think members are going to get out of this?
Doug: Our new platform is a partnership with Banzai. What excites me most is the accessibility. When people are learning about financial wellness—whether in person or digitally—they want something quick and easy to understand. Banzai offers bite-sized lessons, whether it's an article, a calculator for home equity or car loans, or even tools for life events like marriage or having a baby. There’s also an extensive youth option—kids can run a virtual lemonade stand and learn to balance money. We can also bring this into schools with workbooks and an online platform teachers can use to track progress.
Let’s talk a little bit about the scholarships that we offer here at First Commonwealth. Give us an idea of what types of scholarships are offered, how many are offered, who’s eligible, what the selection process looks like. Maybe a little bit of advice for someone who might be interested in applying.
Doug: We’ve increased the number of scholarships to 12, each worth $2,500. We saw a need for continuing education—some people didn’t go to college right after high school but still want to. Two scholarships are specifically for those individuals. Others cover categories like leadership, adversity, community service, and best all-around student. We had 46 applications this year, spanning Berks County, Phillipsburg, Lehighton, and the Lehigh Valley. The selection process is blind. We redact personal info, and a team of six to eight people reviews the applications. They’re slotted into categories based on the content. My advice? Just apply. You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take. Selling your accomplishments is key.
Justin: Just do it.
Doug: Just do it.
With everything that we've talked about today, let’s shift gears a little. You're clearly involved in so much—how do you find time for your personal life, and what are some things you enjoy doing?
Doug: I give a lot of credit to my husband and family for helping me stay grounded. Without that support, it’s easy to lose your footing or get completely consumed. It’s important to carve out time for yourself. We actually have a pretty extensive mini farm at home—we grow all of our own produce. It’s something we enjoy, and it helps us slow down and connect. You’ve got to focus on what brings you joy, not just the work. But honestly, I don’t always see this as work. There’s that quote—“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” That really resonates with me. This is my passion, and I’m grateful I get to do what I love.
What’s one thing you wish more members knew about when it comes to the full range of products and services we offer at First Commonwealth?
Doug: I wish more people knew just how much we can do for them. We’ve talked about financial wellness and counseling—that’s a huge part of what we offer, and many members don’t realize it’s available. It’s free. It’s judgment-free. We’re here to help people get back on track, and we genuinely care about their financial well-being. That’s what we’re trained to do.
Justin: That judgment-free part really sticks out. Finances can be so personal, and a lot of people feel nervous or even ashamed to talk about it—like they’re being judged.
Doug: Absolutely. And I get it. I came from hard times myself, and I know what it feels like. But the truth is—everyone goes through challenges. There’s no shame in asking for help, and we’re here to walk beside you through it, not judge you for it.