Deanna Dunlap

I attribute my success to confidence and knowing who I am, especially in an industry where I often walk into rooms where no one looks like me. Being a Black woman in the financial industry means facing two perceived weaknesses, but I've learned that confidence plays a huge part in being successful. I make sure I know who I am and walk in my purpose. My cousin Dawn gave me critical advice early on, telling me that this industry is not for the weak and that I needed to grow tough skin if I wanted to be successful. That pushed me to develop the resilience I needed. Another pivotal moment was learning at TD Bank that you lead from any seat - you don't become a manager to gain responsibility, you go after what you need from wherever you are. When I was still a banker without a formal leadership title, I started realizing who I was and becoming a leader in a role that wasn't leadership, and that was my biggest turning point. I also prioritize filling my own cup so I'm not constantly pouring from an empty place. I maintain my energy through monthly massages at Hand and Stone, regular counseling sessions with my personal counselor who gives me wisdom for what's next, attending church, and making time for things I enjoy like watching Reasonable Doubt on Hulu. This self-care ensures I can continue showing up as my best self for my team, customers, and community.

The best career advice I've received came from my cousin Dawn, who told me that this industry is not for the weak. She said I would need to grow some tough skin if I wanted to be successful, and that advice has stayed with me throughout my entire career. It motivated me to develop the resilience and tenacity I needed to push through challenges and keep growing. Later in my career, when I was at TD Bank, I learned another powerful lesson that has shaped how I lead: you lead from any seat. They taught me that you don't become a manager to gain responsibility - you go after what you need from wherever you are. You lead from where you sit by example. That philosophy completely changed my perspective because I realized I didn't need a formal leadership title to be a leader. When I was still a banker in a role that wasn't leadership, I started becoming and realizing who I was as a leader, and that was actually my most notable professional achievement. It wasn't about getting the title, it was about stepping into leadership from wherever I sat and taking responsibility for my growth and impact.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to make sure you're never the smartest person in the room, and when you're in those rooms, make sure you're listening more than you're talking. There's so much you can learn from just being observant. You don't have to prove who you are or overcompensate because of your age - just listen. Take those nuggets of wisdom and listen, whether it's from someone you admire or not. Use your discernment to learn and glean from people who have been in these seats before you. I also want to emphasize how important it is to be careful about what seats you're sitting in, because the circles in which you eat at matter tremendously. I remember one time I was literally eating with a bunch of CEOs and doctors and lawyers, and I thought to myself, this speaks to who I'm going to be. Make sure you're sitting down with people who you aspire to be like, because you're only as big as who you sit with. Align yourself with people who inspire, challenge, and motivate you to grow both personally and professionally. Seek out mentorship and build relationships with individuals who can provide guidance, wisdom, and support throughout your career journey. And remember, even in this industry where it's still old school and word of mouth matters, don't be afraid to go into the place you applied to, meet the branch manager, and drop off your resume in person. Show up and make yourself known.

One of the biggest challenges for women in banking right now is that while there are more opportunities opening up in retail banking, it's still incredibly hard to break into commercial banking, the financial advising sector, and those back-office roles where real growth happens. Those areas are still male-dominated industries, and the reality is that men dominate money. To this day, many men don't want to take financial advice from women, so they're more likely to put other men in those roles than to give a woman a chance. This mindset is still a huge barrier to women's success in the financial industry. Even as a Black woman in this field, I face the reality that being both a minority and a woman are seen as two weaknesses or downfalls that people look at. There are many rooms I have to walk into where no one looks like me, and I have to dominate those spaces with confidence. On the opportunity side, I do think we're in a weird spot right now in job hunting. There are opportunities available, but a lot of people aren't getting callbacks. It's still very much word of mouth and old school - even if you do an application online, I recommend going into the place you applied to, meeting the branch manager, and dropping off your resume in person. We still do that to this day. The key is showing up, being present, and making yourself known despite the barriers that still exist.

I'm deeply grounded in faith, which serves as the foundation for everything I do in both my personal and professional life. Faith guides me and keeps me centered, especially when I'm navigating challenging situations. Integrity is another core value that I prioritize in every decision and interaction. I believe in leading with honesty and doing what's right, even when it's difficult. Confidence is also incredibly important to me. In the financial industry, especially as a Black woman, there are many rooms I have to walk into where no one looks like me. Being a minority and being a woman are often seen as two weaknesses, so I have to make sure I know who I am and walk in my purpose with confidence. I also deeply value community service and giving back. I've been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity and served as a Bank at Work Champion, going into schools to teach children about savings accounts and financial literacy. Helping to build stronger lives, families, and communities through service is a huge part of what drives me. Finally, I value self-care and personal wellness because I can't pour from an empty cup. I prioritize monthly massages, regular counseling sessions, attending church, and taking time for myself so that I can continue showing up as my best self for my team, my customers, and my community every single day.