BROCKTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024--
HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HONE), the holding company for HarborOne Bank announced today that Inez Friedman-Boyce has been named to the Top 50 Women Leaders in Banking by Women We Admire. The award recognizes Friedman-Boyce’s valuable contributions to the field of banking, expertise and strong commitment to the ethical practices to the sector. Friedman- Boyce serves as EVP, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for HarborOne Bank and Chief Legal Officer for HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. In this role, she oversees HarborOne’s Legal and Compliance functions, including providing strategic legal advice to the board and management; managing SEC reporting and corporate governance; negotiating contractual relationships; handling regulatory applications and examinations; and managing litigation and other disputes.
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As part of her responsibility, Friedman-Boyce oversees HarborOne’s Community Reinvestment Act program, through which HarborOne has earned multiple, consecutive “Outstanding” ratings from federal and state regulators, a designation reserved for the small group of banks that most effectively meet the credit needs of their local communities. She believes that community service is central to both community banking and shareholder value, and she is committed to improving the lives of people in the communities that HarborOne serves. She is the president and co-chair of Lawyers for Civil Rights, a legal engine for racial equity and social justice in Greater Boston and the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts. She also serves on the boards of OneGoal Massachusetts and the Providence Performing Arts Center.
“Friedman-Boyce has played an instrumental role in the growth and success of HarborOne Bank,” said Joseph F. Casey, President & CEO HarborOne Bank. “Her dedication, expertise and guidance has been steadfast and on behalf of the leadership team and Board of Directors of HarborOne, I wanted to extend my sincere congratulations for this well-deserved recognition.”
Friedman-Boyce joined HarborOne in 2019 after 25 years in private legal practice, including 15 years at Goodwin Procter, where she was a partner in the Financial Institutions and Litigation groups. During her years in private practice, she was a trusted advisor to corporate boards and management in the banking, financial services, and financial technology industries. She is also a sought-after industry expert, contributing as an author, commentator, panelist, and moderator for numerous publications and organizations. She holds a B.A. from Amherst College and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she graduated with honors.
About HarborOne Bancorp, Inc.
HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for HarborOne Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered trust company. HarborOne Bank serves the financial needs of consumers, businesses, and municipalities throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island through a network of 29 full-service banking centers located in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and commercial lending offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. HarborOne Bank also provides a range of educational resources through “HarborOne U,” with free digital content, webinars, and recordings for small business and personal financial education. HarborOne Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of HarborOne Bank, provides mortgage lending services throughout New England and other states.
About Women We Admire:
Women We Admire provides news and information on today's women leaders in business, entertainment, sports, motherhood, medicine, law, and many other fields. Women We Admire covers a broad range of topics and areas of interest aimed at recognizing the achievements of exceptional women while inspiring others to aim high and continue their journey towards reaching their full potential. Women We Admire and its affiliates circulate its content to over 34,000 individuals and businesses.
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Inez Friedman-Boyce named to the Top 50 Women Leaders in Banking (Photo: Business Wire)
ISANTI, Minn. (AP) — The young Buddhist lama sat on a throne near an altar decorated with flowers, fruits and golden statues of the Buddha, watching the celebrations of his 18th birthday in silence, with a faint smile.
Jalue Dorje knew it would be the last big party before he joins a monastery in the Himalayan foothills -- thousands of miles from his home in a Minneapolis suburb, where he grew up like a typical American teen playing football and listening to rap music.
But this was not an ordinary coming-of-age celebration. It was an enthronement ceremony for an aspiring spiritual leader who from an early age was recognized by the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders as a reincarnated lama.
From the stage, he saw it all: The young women in white long bearded masks who danced, jumping acrobatically and twirling colorful sticks to wish him luck in a tradition reserved for dignitaries. The banging of drums. The procession of hundreds – from children to elderly -- who lined up to bow to him and present him with a “khata” -- the white Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness.
From a throne reserved for lamas, he smelled the aroma of Tibetan dishes prepared by his mother over sleepless nights. He heard the monks with shaved heads, in maroon and gold robes like his own, chant sacred mantras. Behind them, his shaggy-haired high school football teammates sang “Happy Birthday” before he cut the first slice of cake.
One of his buddies gave him shaker bottles for hydrating during training at the gym; another, a gift card to eat at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
“I was in awe!” Dorje recalled later. “Usually, I’d be at the monk section looking up to whomever was celebrating. But that night it was for me.”
Since the Dalai Lama’s recognition, Dorje has spent much of his life training to become a monk, memorizing sacred scriptures, practicing calligraphy and learning the teachings of Buddha.
After graduation in 2025, he’ll head to northern India to join the Mindrolling Monastery, more than 7,200 miles (11,500 kilometers) from his home in Columbia Heights.
Following several years of contemplation and ascetism, he hopes to return to America to teach in the Minnesota Buddhist community. His goal is “to become a leader of peace,” following the example of the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi
“There’s going to be a lot of sacrifice involved,” Dorje said. But he’s not new to sacrifices.
He remembered all the early mornings reciting ancient prayers and memorizing Buddhist scriptures, often rewarded by his dad with Pokémon cards.
“As a child, even on the weekend, you’re like: ‘Why don’t I get to sleep more? Why can’t I get up and watch cartoons like other kids.’ But my dad always told me that it’s like planting a seed,” he said, “and one day it’s going to sprout.”
It all began with the process of identifying a lama, which is based on spiritual signs and visions. Dorje was about 4 months old when he was identified by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, a venerated master of Tibetan Buddhism and leader of the Nyingma lineage. He was later confirmed by several lamas as the eighth Terchen Taksham Rinpoche — the first one was born in 1655.
After the Dalai Lama recognized him at age 2, Dorje’s parents took him to meet the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism when he visited Wisconsin in 2010.
The Dalai Lama cut a lock of Dorje’s hair in a ceremony and advised his parents to let their son stay in the U.S. to perfect his English before sending him to a monastery.
Dorje is fluent in English and Tibetan. He grew up reading the manga graphic novel series ″Buddha,” and is an avid sports fan. He roots for the Timberwolves in basketball, Real Madrid in soccer, and the Atlanta Falcons in football. He even keeps a rookie card of wide receiver Drake London pasted to the back of his phone, which he carried wrapped in his robes during his party.
On the football field, playing as a left guard, his teammates praised his positivity, often reminding them to have fun and keep losses in perspective.
“It’s someone to look up to,” said Griffin Hogg, 20, a former player who took Dorje under his wing. He said they learned from each other and credits Dorje with helping him find his spirituality. “I’m more of a relaxed person after getting to know him and understanding his own journey.”
While Dorje tries to never miss Monday Night Football, he’s always there to help with any event hosted by the local Tibetan community, one of the largest in the United States.
“He has one foot in the normal high school life. And he has one foot in this amazing Tibetan culture that we have in the state of Minnesota,” said Kate Thomas, one of his tutors and the teachings coordinator at Minneapolis’ Bodhicitta Sangha Heart of Enlightenment Institute.
“You can see that he’s comfortable playing a role of sitting on a throne, of participating and being honored as a respected person in his community, as a religious figure. And yet, as soon as he has the opportunity, he wants to go and hang out with his high school buddies,” she said. “That’s testimony to his flexibility, his openness of mind.”
For years, he has followed the same routine. He wakes up to recite sacred texts and then attends school, followed by football practice. He returns home for tutoring about Tibetan history and Buddhism. Then he might practice calligraphy or run on a treadmill while listening to BossMan Dlow, Rod Wave and other rappers.
Although he was officially enthroned in 2019 in India, an estimated 1,000 people gathered at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota for his recent ceremony.
“He unites us – Jalue is always here for us,” said Zenden Ugen, 21, a family friend and neighbor who performed Tibetan dances at the event.
“I wish him the best in life because being born and not being able to choose your life must be very hard,” Ugen said. “But he has a responsibility and him being able to take on that responsibility, I’m very inspired by him. I just hope he keeps being who he is.”
Dorje's proud uncle, Tashi Lama, saw him grow up and become a Buddhist master.
“He’s somebody who’s going to be a leader, who’s going to teach compassion and peace and love and harmony among living beings,” he said about his nephew, often referred to as “Rinpoche” -- a Tibetan word that means “precious one.”
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Associated Press video journalist Jessie Wardarski contributed to this report.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, talks with his high school friends near the end of his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, shows his Drake London, Atlanta Falcons, rookie card, which sits in the back of his phone, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Isanti, Minn. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Young dancers in bearded masks pose for a photo before performing a dance to wish luck to U.S.-born Buddhist lama Jalue Dorje during his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)
Kids play in a back room of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota during the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Guests prepare to welcome U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, during his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)
High school friends present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with a “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
High school friends and fellow football players line up to present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Tenzin Lhasa holds her daughter, Dawoe Tenzin Arya, while in procession to present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Monks bow and present “khata” to teenage Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, is presented with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Hundreds attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, watches a traditional Tibetan performance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Friends, family, and community members attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony of U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, center, calls for his dad before making an entrance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Elders dress in traditional clothing to perform a ceremonial Tibetan dance to welcome U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, to his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Monks and high school students attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Guests and monks choose from a wide selection of homemade Tibetan dishes at the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Guests wait for the entrance of U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
Friends, family, and community members attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony of U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, right, waits in a private room before making an entrance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony that hundreds attended in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, right, and a member of the Minnesota Tibetan community bow and touch foreheads in a traditional Tibetan greeting at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)
