Evelyn A. Toney
Evelyn A. Toney is the Vice President of Business and Community Development at Bay State Bank, bringing more than 20 years of experience in banking and lending to her role. Her journey has been anything but typical. She started as a loan officer in her early 20s when few Spanish-speaking loan officers existed, navigating a male-dominated industry. She progressed through processing and underwriting, eventually becoming an underwriting director managing teams of 14 to 25 people across all 50 states, working remotely long before it became common practice. Evelyn has always led with emotional intelligence, taking the time to know her team personally, valuing their families and well-being, and fostering a culture where teams are motivated to move mountains. Two years ago, her CEO at Bay State Bank created a brand-new position for her in community and business development, making her the first person of color to hold this role, where she focuses on financial empowerment, closing the homeownership gap, and helping people understand that they do not need a million dollars to buy a home.
A lifelong Worcester resident and dedicated community advocate, Evelyn combines professional expertise with hands-on engagement. She serves on boards including Girls Inc. of Worcester and Adelante Worcester, co-authored Honest Real Estate Made Simple, and regularly hosts community events to support education, youth development, and homeownership. Evelyn’s approach goes beyond transactions. She builds long-term relationships with her clients, helping first-time homebuyers and those in low to moderate income areas achieve their dream of homeownership. Her work centers on creating inclusive financial opportunities and ensuring her community has the resources and guidance needed to thrive.
Guided by her mentors, Richard McNally, Michael Burn, Celia Blue, and Tammy Gunch, and recognized for her leadership and strategic vision, Evelyn was appointed the 2026 President of NAHREP Central Massachusetts, advancing Latino homeownership and pathways to generational wealth. Colleagues describe her as genuine, loyal, and collaborative, with a deep commitment to making a difference every day. Whether connecting with community leaders, hosting events, or working one-on-one with clients, Evelyn’s professional journey is defined by her expertise, integrity, and dedication to building lasting relationships that strengthen both individuals and her community.
• Becker College - BBA
• American College of Education - MBA
• Adelante Worcester
• Girls Inc of Worcester
• Latin American Business Organization (LABO)
• Latino Education Institute (L.E.I)
• Massachusetts Women Of Color Coalition (MAWOCC)
• NAHREP The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
• Girls Inc. of Worcester
• Community events and financial education workshops
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith, which made me fearless, and to the strong foundation my mother gave me. My mother was an immigrant from Ecuador who came here with only $50 to her name, worked incredibly hard as a single mom, and eventually opened her own business, becoming the first Latina hair salon on Main South and receiving the key to the City in 2023. Watching her determination to make a better life for her children showed me that I could do it too. I never gave up, I was determined, and I persevered. I knew what I wanted, and I worked hard to get there. My faith and my mother's example gave me the tools to keep going no matter what obstacles I faced.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Early in my lending career, a trusted manager told me I was too nice for the business. At first, it sounded like criticism, but I quickly realized it was actually a challenge to lead differently. I decided to lean into my kindness and make empathy and trust the foundation of every relationship I built. That mindset not only shaped my leadership style, but also became the driving force behind my career growth, from mortgage loan officer to director of underwriting, and now to executive leadership. It's proof that you can lead with your heart and still achieve excellence. I made being nice my superpower, and that's why I'm still in business, why people trust me, and why I have all these relationships after all these years.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you're getting into my field, you have to understand that you can't just jump in to be a director, you have to start somewhere. I would say start as a banker and move your way up quickly by showing them what your worth is. Go get your degree, because a college degree goes a long way. In order to be a CEO of a bank one day, you have to have a master's degree, it doesn't have to be in business, you just have to have a master's degree. Some organizations will pay for your college, and in order to move up quickly and be at my level, it just takes experience. Learn fast, show them you're a hard worker, and continue to grow that corporate ladder. And most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help. I'd rather you ask than do something that's not right. I'm very approachable, but not everybody is, so make sure you find people who will support you and answer your questions.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge has been being judged before I even opened my mouth. As a Latina woman in a male-dominated field, people would look at me and wonder, does she speak English? Where's she from? What credentials does she have? I was already judged before I even spoke. I felt like I had to prove myself twice over, so I knew I had to go hard and back it up with facts. It's frustrating because even in corporate America today, I see people in high positions who don't even have degrees, and I'm like, how did you get this job? But I didn't let that fuel my anger. I just had to pivot and figure it out a different way. The opportunities come when you show your worth ethic and determination. When you're a hard worker and you show people what you're capable of, doors open. When I saw a door open just a little bit, I made sure I was ready to go.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Work life balance is very, very important to me. I know we all have our careers and we're busy, but people have to understand that when 5 o'clock comes and you don't have to work, you need to pick and choose where your time is valuable. At the end of the day, if you have a family to go home to, you want to make sure you're there for them, especially when they're little, because they grow up fast. I know this because I have one in college. When I was a single mom with my oldest, I worked so much, but now that I have my partner, my husband, and I can balance my work and life out, I can actually enjoy being with my kids. When 5 o'clock comes and I'm taking my son to basketball practice, I'm with him and I'm in the zone. Just like you block off your time for meetings, take the opportunity to block that off for yourself. Even if you don't have a family, you have to take care of yourself, because otherwise you're just gonna look like a hot mess.