Crystal Dionne, 2026 Outstanding Women in Business Recipient

Crystal Dionne is the President & CEO of Primary Bank

Crystal Dionne
President & CEO, Primary Bank

Crystal Dionne, CPA, is an experienced finance professional with more than 25 years in leadership roles. She specializes in government finance, financial and strategic planning, treasury management, budgeting and risk management as well as human resources management. Crystal has served in various capacities for multiple trade organizations, nonprofits and boards of trustees including serving as president of both the New Hampshire and New England Government Finance Officers Association, president of the Bedford Rotary and serving on the Emerging Leaders Council of the American Bankers Association. She is a life-long volunteer and an entrepreneur having started and operated her own small business in New Hampshire for 15 years.

Q. Banking has historically been a male-dominated industry. What challenges have you faced?

Oh, I could tell you stories. I believe perhaps 5% of bank CEOs are female. It’s very lopsided.

When I first became CEO of Primary Bank, I was invited to a CEO roundtable sponsored by some investment bankers in Boston. I thought, “Great, this is an opportunity to meet some fellow CEOs in the Northern New England region.”

I went, and I was the only female in the room. They put me at the table way in the back. I wasn’t very happy about that.

Before the event started, there was a gathering outside the room with a bar where people were getting drinks and chatting. I was mistaken for one of the servers. Someone asked if I could take his coat and hang it up for him.

I said, “I’m sure you can find a place to hang your coat, but I’m Crystal Dionne, president and CEO of Primary Bank. It’s nice to meet you.”

So yes, I have encountered a few things like that along the way.

I will say that among women in banking who are at the CEO level, there is an immense amount of support for one another, because we all encounter similar things along our journeys. But we know we’re making a difference. In this role, you just have to have that resilience. It comes with the territory.

Q. How does mentorship play into your role?

No matter the gender, I treat people the same. I do think mentorship is important. I try to express regularly that I’m accessible and available.

I often have young women reach out to me, whether it’s because they saw me speak at a Bankers Association event or saw me at a local charitable event. They’ll reach out and want to pick my brain and say, “What was your journey? How did you get to where you are? What advice would you give someone who wants to follow a similar path?” Being that sounding board and making the time to meet with these people is incredibly important. It’s such a small industry, and if there are people who genuinely show an interest in progressing, it’s up to people like me to make the time and give them the guidance they’re seeking.

Q. What advice would you give the next generation of female business leaders?

My advice is something I’ve been giving for a number of years, and I give the same advice to my kids: Pursue every opportunity.

Do not be afraid to try something new, and say “yes” no matter what is put in front of you, because you never know where it may lead.

Q. Banking is very community-focused. How important is relationship-building in your industry?

It’s incredibly important, not just in banking but in any industry.

We’re all from New Hampshire. It’s a very small state. I don’t want to say everybody knows everybody, but it’s pretty close. You’re probably two degrees away from some type of connection.

It’s about relationship-building, helping people, helping one another and making connections. If you have a connection in one industry and you find someone else has a need, make the introduction.

We do that all day long, every day. We make introductions to people who need assistance in one area and connect them with someone who can help them. We know someone who can help them grow their business, open a door or assist them with something.

It truly is about relationship-building and providing the support that small businesses need. Ninety-five percent of businesses are small businesses, so we need to keep them chugging along. They’re the lifeblood of the New Hampshire economy.