Her Story
About Audrey
I started my career at First Republic Bank out in California, where I was a Regional Client Service Associate, helping a variety of wealth managers manage their books of business with day-to-day client activities and really managing relationships. Eventually, they asked me to help with onboarding, and I fell in love with this position because it was a very chaotic, fast-paced environment. As an internal resource to the financial advisors and their associates who were new to the firm, it was great being their first impression at First Republic. Then the company moved me to New York, which I was very excited about, and it was a bit of a bumpy road once I got there. The company did experience a bank failure, and as sad as it was, it truly was one of the best experiences to happen to me, and it really helped me become resilient and build tenacity. Eventually, JP Morgan bought First Republic Bank and offered my team the opportunity to lead the integration of the two companies, which was very exciting. It really gave me an opportunity to step up as the youngest person on a team of 40. I was able to lead advisor onboardings and travel to different on-site locations, just kind of give people a sense of security that this is going to be okay, that JP Morgan has our back, and that we're really set up for success here. I recently pivoted to fintech sales, and I really like the product I'm selling and believe in it. It solves a problem that I've struggled with at my previous roles, and it's such an easy tool. I'm not selling something just to earn a commission or meet my close, but it's going to improve the lives of the companies that adopt our product. Another thing is just the amount of ownership and accountability that I can take over my work. I have the ability to structure my day and really navigate my own outcomes. With that responsibility comes a little bit of fear and anxiety, but it's also what excites me.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Audrey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to relationship building. The thing that carried me the furthest in my career was, of course, working hard and being dependable, but more than that, being someone that people enjoyed working with. I think there are two parts to that. It's keeping a positive attitude when things get hard, in terms of being willing to take on more work, being someone they can trust and depend on. But also, just being someone they enjoy seeing around the office and working with. Building relationships with clients and both within the company can really take you to places you never thought you would go. I'm very fortunate to work under a manager who cares so much about our development, and if you were to ever see us struggling, given that he used to be in our shoes just a few years ago, he will take us under his wing and do whatever it takes to lift us back up.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think it's really important to be able to lean on each other, and I think it's all about relationship building. The thing that carried me the furthest in my career was, of course, working hard and being dependable, but more than that, being someone that people enjoyed working with. I think there are two parts to that. It's keeping a positive attitude when things get hard, in terms of being willing to take on more work, being someone they can trust and depend on. But also, just being someone they enjoy seeing around the office and working with. Building relationships with clients and both within the company can really take you to places you never thought you would go. In terms of managing the emotional challenges, that fear and that chaos doesn't need to have a negative connotation. I think you can reframe it as motivation to be better. There's just a general understanding in the industry that you're going to get rejected, and you're going to have bad days, but that as long as you're working for a company and on a team that has your back, and is really willing and riding on your success, then there's nothing to be worried about.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My number one passion is to help people in any way I can. Previously, I had done that primarily through volunteering with different organizations, and I thought, if I can make a career out of helping people, then what more could I want? Just because your job description doesn't include helping people doesn't mean that you won't find opportunities. There are opportunities to do that every single day. I got into client service because I loved helping people, and just because I'm in tech sales now doesn't change that. I recently got back into volunteering, which I'm really excited about. I grew up volunteering every weekend with my dad at the Friendship Shelter of Laguna Beach and did quite a bit with Special Olympics. Through New York Cares, I've been able to find really great organizations, and one of my favorite things to do is play basketball with kids with disabilities at the McCarran Park Recreation Center on Saturdays. I would love to get involved in mentorship programs in New York that are more related to volunteering, so mentoring young women in high school or helping them prepare for college.
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