Tell us about your career path.
It is so interesting how our childhood can so closely connect us to our career path subconsciously. I started out as a File Retrieval Specialist in 1994 for Chemical Bank located in Columbus, Ohio. I worked every day in what we used to call “The Basement”. I will never forget that experience; I am sure some of my colleagues today would share in the stories of mice running around, paper cuts, and long days of shuffling paper before micrographics and technology improved our way of life. I quickly moved into management in the micrographics and payoff department, which was challenging and rewarding from a generational leadership perspective. I decided that I wanted to leave Ohio and start a new adventure and remained in banking while relocating to Jacksonville, Florida. I always had a desire to help others and became an affordable housing loan officer and later helped to set up new accounts in Private Banking for SunTrust Bank. I wanted to learn more about the business and decided to move into operations and began a tenure in operations taking on each key position to learn and grow. I moved into leadership pretty quickly - I had an affinity for process design, expense management, teammate engagement, and performance optimization. My undergrad is in Business Management and my MBA minor is organizational leadership with training in Six Sigma. I knew doing what I enjoyed was far more important than the paycheck itself. I took risks, taking on different positions while living in five different states including Ohio, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Most of my career has been in Operations for large organizations such as Wells Fargo, PNC, Citi, and Truist. I recently moved into Sales starting a new adventure while still helping families with the dream of homeownership. This has always been personal because it meant so much to me as a young child having the ability to experience all that comes with having your own home when you didn’t think it was possible.
Is this the career you always expected to have? Or the field you wanted to be in?
I always thought I would be a corporate lawyer. I enjoyed debates and influencing my point of view with facts. However, my heart and mind were pulled to the banking industry because of my childhood experiences. I remember being a loan officer and helping a single mother of three buy her first home. She did not think the dream of homeownership was possible. When she closed on the home, she sat with me and cried for what seemed hours. The victory and gratefulness was so familiar to me, and I knew this was the work I was destined to do in whatever capacity my career took me.
Did you face any challenges/setbacks as a woman in your profession?
I honestly think I was armed with very thick skin simply due to my life experiences. I was often told that I was too aggressive, ambitious, demanding, and impatient but also too collaborative at times as well. I also was keenly aware my male counterparts exuded those same characteristics but was rewarded for it vs. criticized. Early in my career, I focused more on mentorship from female and male leaders. I learned the difference between mentors and sponsors and started to understand the value of connection and relationships which changed the trajectory of my career. I think we have come along way, but challenges continue to exist and it is important for us to call it out and advocate for others when we see negative situations occur.
Who inspired you to be a leader and why?
There were so many great leaders that helped me along my journey. However, when I think back to very early on, I would say my mother really encouraged me to be a leader. She always instilled in me to be an eagle, fly high, and chart my own path. She was equally as emphatic about being part of positive change by caring deeply and investing in others. She often reminded me that we never know what others are going through and compassion is free without judgement. She also used to call me bossy but said I demonstrated leadership qualities.
What does the WEW mean to you? To me, WEW is a great support system of women who understand the challenges, sacrifices, and risk-taking. I can let my hair down, be honest about my insecurities, and get nourished while investing in others. It is a special bond when you know each person will support you with honesty and transparency. The great advice, encouragement, and compassion my WEW members have shown is tremendous.
How do you encourage women to not give up?
I remind them of how far they have come and the difference they have made and will continue to make. Simply put, sometimes we all need to be reminded of our worth, recognizing when we are simply being tested and to maintain our confidence and strength to not settle. I watched the Wizard of Oz every year when I was young. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen that movie. I have a picture in my house of a key quote from the movie because it has resonated with me so much. “You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn if for yourself,” L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz)
What advice do you have for women looking to grow either within their own organization or to start their own business ventures?
This question is one reason that I wrote a book called, “We Got This.” My advice would be to first be honest with yourself on what it is you really want. Do not be afraid to accept change and grow because that is where the magic happens. Jump into your vision and make relationships that align to it. Create a space for winning and build resiliency. I strongly believe how we see our reality dictates our outcomes, so always be optimistic, focus on the positive, and know that both feedback and failure are a gift for greater success when you try again.