Top 10 Pieces of Career Advice from Women Executives

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? Chances are, when you receive a new employment opportunity you usually reach out to a network of professional contacts, mentors and even family members. Many leaders are not so different in their career approach and can use some words of wisdom every now and then.

Here’s what some of the nation’s community bank and credit union top female leaders had to share.‍

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Peg Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Union State Bank

“Always respect your coworkers, not just your leaders who can further your career, but everyone on your team.”‍

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Kim Parks, Vice President of Treasury Management and Commercial Depository Officer of ESB Financial 

“Become a solid communicator. Even if you think you’ve communicated something, over communicate because there’s still going to be a piece that you assume somebody knew, but they didn't.”

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Charmaine Osborne, Compliance Officer of First Liberty Bank

“Find a really good mentor. If you don’t have one yet, look for one and try to find more than one mentor. That’s the only way that I’ve been able to really perform well in my career.”

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Whitney Simon, Vice President of Operations and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Officer of Valley State Bank                                                

“Be a go-getter and never be afraid to think outside the box. Take on tasks, even when you haven’t been asked to perform them and have the motivation to move up and know that you will earn what you set your sights on.”

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Linda Compton, Vice President of Operations at InFirst Bank

“Understand the financial institution you work for and learn the customer base.”

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Maureen Carollo, Senior Vice President and Director of Compliance of Great Plains National Bank                                                  

“You learn to become tough-skinned in compliance because you have to protect the financial institution. Learn to be positive, always be a resource and be available when needed.”

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Danielle Chatfield-Beres, Vice President and Controller for First City Bank

 “Embrace that you will fail at something, but work to fail forward.”

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Laura Ponder, Chief Operations Officer at Commercial National Bank

“Be sure you are pouring yourself into professional development opportunities so that your intentions for growth are backed up with a solid performance.”

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Kim Botkin, Senior Vice President of Operations and Cashier Services at ESB Financial

“Be honest and genuine. As a leader, you need to care about the people you lead and listen to their career goals so you can help them achieve their aspirations while guiding the way for future leaders within the industry.”

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Cheryl Deborde, Chief Executive Officer and President at Members Choice Credit Union

‍“Stay true to yourself. The world will try to change you so be prepared to get knocked down quite a bit.”

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Hear more career advice from these executive female leaders in CBANC’s exclusive showcase, Path Pavers: Banking on Her. Join the virtual, complimentary conversation and ask Her career questions on October 5 and 6. 

Reserve your seat!

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