FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Laura Ruiz
(857) 384-8854
Laura.Ruiz@citizensbank.com
January 21, 2026

Mount Washington Observatory Named Citizens’ Champion in Action for Innovating to Better Meet Community Needs in New Hampshire

 Recognition provides $50,000 in funding, media coverage, and volunteer support

MOUNT WASHINGTON/NEW HAMPSHIRE (January 21, 2026) – On the Northeast’s most extreme peak, Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) is turning science into public safety—training the next generation of meteorologists and climate communicators while delivering vital weather information to hikers, communities, and businesses. Today, Citizens and the New Hampshire Union Leader named MWOBS a 2026 Champion in Action, recognizing its innovative approach to advancing financial empowerment and workforce development through STEM education, apprenticeships, and paid internships. The honor includes $50,000 in funding and promotional and volunteer support from Citizens colleagues.

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member supported institution. The Observatory’s summit observers collect real-time data in hurricane-force winds, rime ice, and whiteout conditions—work that powers specialized forecasts for the higher summits, informs hiker safety and classroom learning, and builds early career training for aspiring meteorologists and climate communicators.

“At Citizens, we believe that strong communities are built through innovation and resilience,” said Marc Lubelczyk, President of Citizens New Hampshire. “We’re proud to recognize Mt. Washington Observatory for their dedication to improving lives and strengthening the fabric of New Hampshire by finding creative ways to meet evolving needs and deliver lasting impact.”

As a Champion in Action, Mt. Washington Observatory will receive:

• A $50,000 contribution from Citizens
• Media coverage and public service announcements from New Hampshire Union Leader
• Volunteer support from Citizens colleagues

“We are honored and inspired to be selected as Citizens’ Champions in Action,” Drew Bush, Mount Washington Observatory’s Executive Director, said. “We work to inspire better understanding of weather and climate through research, educational programs, and public outreach. This much needed support will enable us to expand our work to help keep millions safe with vital weather information. Just as importantly, it means we can train future generations not just with essential science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills but also the ability to communicate with their friends, families, and communities about their work in these fields.”

With funding from the Champions in Action award, MWOBS will expand hands-on STEM education, apprenticeships, and broadcast meteorology internships—bringing more students and educators behind the scenes of its continuously staffed summit station and long running climate record.

“Union Leader readers have become familiar with the Mount Washington Observatory through their monthly Atop the Rockpile column in our pages,” said New Hampshire Union Leader Publisher Brendan McQuaid. “The Observatory’s selection as a Champion in Action means our readers will gain an even deeper understanding of their work in the World’s Worst Weather to keep citizens educated and safe.”

Since launching 24 years ago, Citizens Champions in Action program has awarded more than $12 million in grants and promotional and volunteer support to more than 400 nonprofits across the bank’s footprint. In New Hampshire, 63 nonprofits have been recognized, receiving more than $1.9 million in funding.

The Champions in Action program celebrates and supports high-impact nonprofits with annual budgets under $5 million that are driving measurable, lasting change in their communities. Twice a year, Citizens selects one nonprofit in each of its nine major markets to receive funding and resources aligned with the bank’s Delivering Impact focus area.

For more information about the Champions in Action program, visit Champions in Action | Be Inspired | Citizens (citizensbank.com). To learn more about Citizens’ Sustainability and Impact strategy, visit Sustainability and Impact (citizensbank.com).

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $226.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. Consumer Banking includes Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, which integrate banking services and wealth management solutions to serve high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.

About the New Hampshire Union Leader

Since 1863, the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News has served as the state’s only statewide newspaper, providing credible, community-focused journalism. The Union Leader delivers comprehensive coverage from across New Hampshire, including local government, schools, sports, and culture, helping inform residents and strengthen civic engagement.

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