Santander Bank’s Commercial Banking division launched a new banking group to better serve needs of clients in the non-profit, educational, professional services, and technology and life sciences industries. Emily Vaughan Alexanderson was tapped to lead the new group.

Vaughan Alexanderson will report to Patricia Packard, director of government and specialized banking.

David Harnisch, head of Commercial Banking at Satander, said, “We continue to make significant investments to support our growing commercial business and deliver valuable ideas to help our clients prosper. Our focus remains on bringing customized solutions to every client, and I look forward to Emily’s leadership as we deliver our capabilities to help more clients prosper and thrive within these specialized industries.”

Vaughan Alexanderson comes to Santander from athenahealth, where she held various roles, including chief of staff to the company’s chief marketing officer, senior manager of the strategic planning and operations team, as well as experience on the financial planning and analysis team. Before athenahealth, Vaughan Alexanderson was with RBS Global Markets where she delivered tailored interest rate derivative and foreign exchange solutions to the bank’s Commercial clients in the U.S.

“I’m excited to oversee the specialized banking group and work with Emily as we continue to strive to meet the needs of more clients,” said Packard. “Emily brings a wealth of knowledge to Santander. I look forward to her building a strong reputation as a trusted advisor and financial partner who brings sound solutions to this client segment.”

This specialized group is the latest expansion in Santander Bank’s commercial banking capabilities. In 2018, Santander expanded its said coverage in the U.S., with new bankers in the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest regions, and added foreign corporate banking, technology, media and telecommunications banking and a family office practice to better serve its clients.