Management Team

Stephen G. Lear has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of North Shore MHC and North Shore Trust and Savings since 2012 and as a director since 2003. Mr. Lear served as the Chief Executive Officer of North Shore Trust and Savings from 1998 to 2022. Mr. Lear has served in varying capacities with North Shore Trust and Savings since 1979. Mr. Lear received a degree in Finance/Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his MBA from The Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, Illinois. He previously served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of The Illinois League of Financial Institutions.

Nathan E. Walker has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of North Shore Trust and Savings since July 2022, President and Chief Operating Officer since November 2020, and Chief Operating Officer since November 2019. Mr. Walker joined North Shore Trust and Savings in 1996 and has previously held the role of Senior Vice President of Retail Banking between 2010 and 2020. Mr. Walker holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University and an advanced degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Mr. Walker serves on the board of directors of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine, Wisconsin.

Carissa H. Schoolcraft has served as the Chief Financial Officer of North Shore Trust and Savings since April 2021. Ms. Schoolcraft previously served as the Controller of North Shore Trust and Savings from April 2020 to April 2021. Prior to joining North Shore Trust and Savings, Ms. Schoolcraft served as a Staff Auditor (Manager) at KPMG, LLP from 2013 to 2020. Ms. Schoolcraft serves on the audit committee of Cunningham Children's Home. Ms. Schoolcraft received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Accounting from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Amy L. Avakian has served as the Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of North Shore Trust and Savings from 2019 to present. Ms. Avakian began her career at North Shore Trust and Savings in 1983 and has served in various roles within the lending function and is a member of the loan committee. Ms. Avakian received her Bachelor’s in Communication from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Ms. Avakian is a member of the Lake County Property Investor’s Association.