I started my banking career at TowneBank at the age of 25, a few years out of college. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into or that I’d love it and would be celebrating my 20th year in banking this summer. I started my college journey thinking I wanted to be an educator. I ended up with a business degree, but I am now in Learning & Development at TowneBank, so it really did work out that I’m an educator and instructor!!!

TowneBank offered a Management Associate program for those individuals who were interested in growing into a management role. I was nominated and accepted into the program. Through this program I took my first CFTEA class, Principles of Banking. Shortly after completing that I completed Legal Foundations of Banking. These classes were taught in person, in the evening, and by bankers at my bank! I loved learning from individuals who worked at my TowneBank who taught some of the classes. I looked up to them like they were superstars, plus I wanted to be as smart as they are!

Some years later (and a few roles later), I was approached by the manager of the Management Associate program (a mentor of mine), she had an opening in the Training Department (Learning & Development). I was thrilled to join the department that I was working towards being a part of since completing the Management Associate program. My dream came true!

Since joining the Learning & Development department, which I am now 11 years in, 5 bank conversions completed, 3 promotions achieved, 1 bank system conversion orchestrated, 1 CPTD certification completed, previously Secretary, and currently the Vice President of the CFTEA Board of Directors. In that role, I am so incredibly proud to also be a part of the CFTEA Executive Committee. When I started in the Learning & Development Department, I was introduced to CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer. I was blown away by the dedication he has towards ensuring that EACH financial institution has a successful journey with CFTEA. I love how genuine the friendships are between the board and council members, the banks, Tammy, and Andrew. I’m grateful how Tammy in the CFTEA office answers questions back so quickly for me and my teammates when we email asking about rosters and class enrollment questions. Everything that they do is with the end user in mind, and it’s done with lots of compassion as well. Not many organizations can mirror the principles that our bank holds so closely to our hearts, but they do. This is why it’s so easy to work with CFTEA. Another reason I’m so grateful that we can offer courses to our employees like I was able to, is because they are also affordable. At the end of the day, we want to guarantee our employees are working on a better version of themselves and our team helps them get there with the support of CFTEA. It’s how I have been able to get to where I am today!

I love that when I call Andrew with an idea, he helps me think outside the box, he wants to help our bankers grow, and he wants to help our newly developed programs by offering affordable courses. I’m honored and grateful that I was asked to be on the Executive Committee so that I can grow, learn, and achieve professional goals of assisting a non-profit organization. I love the friendships I have made through CFTEA.

– told by CFTEA Board Member, Julie Stevens

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