"You're burning daylight. You can't just breathe and take up space." These words from her father—a WWII veteran—ignited Juanita Hardin's relentless drive to live with purpose. Following in his footsteps, she served as a Sergeant in Logistics with the United States Air Force, joining generations of her family who chose to protect the freedoms others enjoy. For Juanita, freedom isn’t just a right; it’s a responsibility.

 

Juanita’s leadership extends from her home to the boardroom. As the mother of two sons—a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and a Nursing Anesthesiology student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville—she instills in them the values of ambition, service, and paying it forward.
 

Professionally, Juanita oversees risk management for BMO’s North American Treasury Management business, impacting over 600 employees and seven business lines. Her work has fortified the bank’s critical processes, from pandemic readiness to regulatory compliance across the U.S. and Canada. Beyond the office, she leads as Chair of BMO’s Veterans Advisory Council, advocating for veterans' talents and supporting military families.

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As a Village of Matteson Trustee, Juanita’s commitment to her community is unwavering. She partners with organizations like the USO, Red Cross, and Volunteers of America to create meaningful change and ensure no one is left behind.

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Whether mentoring, volunteering, or championing initiatives, Juanita Hardin is a force to be reckoned with—a leader who listens, a visionary who acts, and a trailblazer who achieves.