Student of Life with an Artist’s Heart: NSB’s Keysha Wright and an Extraordinary Pursuit of Passion

PORTLAND—It’s a story that began in the second hottest place in the United States and continued in one of the coldest, at least in the winter.

But for Norway Savings Bank’s Keysha Wright, the disparate connection of Arizona and Maine is bridged by one unalterable constant in her life.  

“Art is like an old friend that has followed me since birth. It’s been there for me through every event I have ever faced,” said Keysha, who paints, embroiders, and weaves dream catchers. “I have always felt that art just sometimes needs to be in existence and I was just the doorway it used to come into the world. There is a quote that I live by from Rainer Maria Rilke: ‘A work of art is good if it has arisen out of necessity.’ Something about that always stuck with me.”

It’s a fitting sentiment as the good that Keysha has brought to customers, co-workers, and the world with her positive attitude, work ethic, and capacity to genuinely care for others is seemingly limitless. She is currently Branch Supervisor at NSB’s Congress Street branch, but in November, she will become Junior Trust Officer in Norway Savings Bank’s Asset Management Group. Another remarkable achievement in a lifetime already full of them.  

“Right now, I feel honored and thankful,” said Keysha. “I have learned so much and plan on continuing to venture towards more knowledge and experience.”

Her adventure began in the desert. Keysha is a native of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where her family was one of the municipality’s founding families over 50 years ago.

“Home of the London Bridge!” she still says with pride.

Growing up, the average temperature was 125 degrees of dry heat for most of the year, but Keysha spent most of her time in the library, excelling academically and graduating as valedictorian of her high school class before entering Mohave Community College.

“I was about two years away from having my BSN in Nursing when my mother got sick,” said Keysha. “I had to leave and came home to take care of her.”

In 2012, her mom passed away. Keysha was 21 at the time and had begun working as a dental technician.

“I spent ten years working as a CAD/CAM implant designer and supervisor.”

Despite her success in dentistry, something was missing, and in 2019, Keysha realized that out of place piece of the puzzle was family.

“In August of that year, I moved to Maine to be closer to my little sister and my twin nephews. Arizona will always hold a special place in my heart, but knowing that I would have the chance to see my nephews grow up and watch as they have a better chance at life really fills me with joy,” she said. “Losing many of my family members has given me perspective on what is truly important and how little time we truly have. Facing the unknown is always scary, but it can also be an exciting opportunity. It was like I got the chance to discover an entirely new world.”

It was a new world that quickly discovered the many gifts Keysha had brought with her from Arizona, along with her boyfriend and Bernese Mountain Dog. Researching which Maine company had the best culture led Keysha to NSB.

“I was looking for opportunity and a company focused on internal growth and development,” she said.

Keysha found both, and the bank found an outstanding new team member. She began as a Customer Relations Representative and was promoted to Business Account Specialist and then to her current role as Branch Supervisor in 2021. Along the way, Keysha has earned a Culture Award for Leadership, her ABA Supervisor Certificate, and completed additional courses on how to be a successful manager and leader.

“I like to think I have always been a helpful person who loves solving a good mystery. So why not apply that to banking? NSB goes beyond what they see on paper to really provide opportunities to everyone they come across,” she said. “I have always been interested in the finance world. Working in this industry now, I feel like I get a chance to look at the science behind it and how it all forms together. Plus, I get to bring the human aspect to it, by being able to help others with their financial needs.”

Her professional rise has still allowed for her own personal needs to be met: the passion that has accompanied her on this winding road to Congress Street.

“There are always a few art projects being worked on in our house. I honestly work on something every day. It’s my pastime and helps me clear my mind. The fall in Maine is like living in a painting. My artist’s heart could not resist that.”

The winter months approach for the artist and soon-to-be Junior Trust Officer from western Arizona, but the future has never felt fuller of warm promise.

“I discovered something recently called ominous positivity,” said Keysha. “It’s almost like speaking your good intentions into being without giving room to make them negative, like ‘You will be fine, there is no other option. Everything will turn out okay, you cannot stop it. I am determined, there is no other option.’ I have always believed that I am a student of life. Every person that crosses my path can teach me something or allow me to experience something if I am open to it. I am very excited for the opportunities ahead of me, and thankful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today.”