We all have dreams. When we follow them, great things can happen.

Our CEO Jitka Borowick is proof of that. Originally from the Czech Republic, she had a dream to learn the English language. So in 2003, she moved to Cape Cod.

Achieving that dream led to bigger dreams — graduating college, forming her own company, and giving back to her community. Last month, Eastern Bank honored Jitka for not only following her dreams, but turning them into a reality.

At a ceremony at the Hyannisport Club, Eastern Bank CEO and Chairman Robert Rivers presented Jitka with the bank’s 2017 Community Advocacy Award which  recognizes people who give their time and talent to address a vital need in their community.

“I am living proof of the American Dream and I urge all of you to dream big and dream often,” Jitka said during her speech in which she talked about her journey from her home country to Cape Cod to becoming our founder and CEO.

In the midst of that journey in 2008, Jitka graduated from Cape Cod Community College with an associate’s degree in liberal arts. That same year was a seminal one for Jitka who launched Cleangreen. “My vision of the American Dream included owning my own business,” she said. “My dream was to build the best cleaning company on Cape Cod with many satisfied customers, an office, company cars, and an operations manager.”

Eastern Bank recognized Jitka not only for her business acumen, but for her commitment to environmental sustainability efforts and dedication to the community through her volunteer activities.

Under our leadership, Cleangreen has earned “Best of Cape Cod” status five years in a row from Cape Cod Magazine. Our success extends to our CEO who was awarded Business Woman of the Year in 2015 from Cape & Plymouth Business Magazine; 10 Inspiring Women by Cape Cod Magazine; and Small Business Owner of the Year in 2016 from Cape Cod SCORE.

Jitka’s volunteer activities include serving as chair of the board for Flower Angels USA; President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Hyannis; and past president of the Business Network International (BNI) Convergence Team.

The Community Advocacy Award aligns with Eastern Bank’s Targeted Grant program each year, which for 2017 is focused on supporting immigrants in our communities.