By Joanna Rustin
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Bank of America’s Senior Vice President, Market Manager of San Francisco North Bay Business Banking told PBWC Connections about her journey to the top ranks of one of the world’s leading financial institutions. Balancing a successful career, a busy family life and finding time to give back to the community isn’t easy, but she’s living her dream and may very well be the first person I’ve met who is truly "laughing all the way to the bank."
Emily's Two Cents on How to Succeed
Follow your passion. Do a job that you enjoy, and if you dread going to work in the morning day after day, rethink if you are in the right job.
Ask for what you deserve. Justify your worth and go for it.
Always understand why you‘re doing something. If you understand why, you do a more thorough job, and you can support decisions and explain it better to others.
Q:
Tell me about your role and how your department fits within Bank of America.
I’m a Market Executive who manages a team of 24. I oversee all activities relating to Bank of America Business Banking clients and prospects. My market covers the San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties and some of San Mateo county. Business Banking is part of the Commercial group within the Bank and we work with businesses that typically have annual revenue of $2.5MM to $20MM.
Q:
What inspires you the most about your job?
I enjoy empowering associates to grow professionally and to do their best while helping businesses succeed.
Q:
Is there any advice you’d like to share with young women who are preparing for their careers?
1) I know I do my best when I respect and trust the hierarchy of management above me.
2) Follow your passion. Do a job that you enjoy, and if you dread going to work in the morning day after day,
rethink if you are in the right job.
3) Always understand why you‘re doing something. If you understand why, you do a more thorough job, and you can support decisions and explain it better to others.
Q: What do you think women can do to be more competitive?
I feel women sell themselves short and don’t ask for what they deserve. You need to justify your worth and go for it.
Q: How would you characterize opportunities for women in the financial services industry?
The opportunities are there for women to take. The difficult part for each individual is the work/family balancing issues.
Q: Speaking of balance, Bank of America has a strong reputation for supporting women through a variety of programs, including flexible work arrangements and dependent care. How are these programs evolving to meet the needs of your diverse team? (Editor’s note: the company was honored for these efforts with a Pacesetter Award from PBWC in 2005).
Bank of America does not just say they support working women they do a lot to back it up. There are many programs available and my team does benefit from them. I have several new mothers and fathers on the team that take advantage of programs Bank of America has developed to support families. We allow up to two hours per week for associates to volunteer in the schools. We also have child care discount programs, flexible hours programs and many other programs and services that help working families.
For more insights from Emily Shanks, register to download the Spring 2006 issue of PBWC Connections containing the entire interview.
Want to share insights from your journey in a future PBWC Connections Visionary Chat? We welcome proposals from women and men who are breaking new ground and are eager to share their wisdom. Contact PBWC Connections to discuss our editorial calendar and interview schedule.
Joanna Rustin is founder of PBWC Connections and president of Rustin Communications, a strategic communications firm that helps organizations cast a larger than life presence in the marketplace. |
