Her Story
About Irene
Irene DupontHaralambis serves as Vice President and Branch Manager at her current bank, United Community Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a role she began at the start of January.
She has accumulated more than 20 years in banking since 2005, with earlier stints in upstate NY at Partners Trust Bank, & M&T Bank until 2010. After moving to Florida she worked at Regent Bank, then Landmark Bank, and the at First Bank for almost 10 years.
Before entering banking, she owned clothing stores in New York and Pennsylvania for 17 years. She was very involved with the revitalisation of the downtown and Business community during this time. After selling her businesses she worked in advertising at Fox TV, selling and producing commercials, where she was recruited to work for Fiberdyne Labs a fiber optic cable company in international sales involving clients such as NATO, NASA, and the UAE Royals , including development of cables used on space shuttles. She earned an associates degree. Irene completed business studies while in high school in Pennsylvania after growing up in Europe. Irene has held board positions with the FL Assoc. of NonProfits , Construction and Professional Association, Tower Forum, just to name a few. She supports philanthropic efforts including Tunnel to Towers, and Samaritan's Purse, Food for the poor , Daughters of Penelope. She is also listed on the Who's Who roster.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Irene
01What do you attribute your success to?
Growing up with strong values and morals provided me with the foundation I needed to navigate life with purpose and integrity. My ambition, vision, and determination, along with my faith, have guided me through every challenge and opportunity. I truly believe these qualities are what I attribute to the success I’ve experienced and the accomplishments I’ve achieved throughout my life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was not to worry about what other people think. People will always judge you, sometimes unfairly or without truly knowing your story. I learned to stay focused on my goals, trust my instincts, and remain true to who I am. At the end of the day, your journey is yours to define—not someone else’s.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I can give to a young woman entering the industry is to acquire as much knowledge and experience as possible. At the beginning of your career, be willing to take on any job or task that gives you an opportunity to learn and grow. Every experience is valuable and will help shape your skills, confidence, and understanding of the industry. Stay curious, work hard, and remain open to learning—the rest will come with time.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field include the increase in fraudulent activity, which has made banking more difficult for the average consumer. To keep clients safe, banks have had to implement more complex processes and security measures. This shift has significantly changed the banking industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me, both professionally and personally, are holding myself to the highest standards possible. This means living with honesty, integrity, and a strong moral compass, while also showing compassion and genuinely caring for others, especially those who are in need. I believe that practicing what you preach should apply across every aspect of life—professionally and personally, in your career, your family, and in everything you do. Your values should not simply be words; they should be reflected consistently through your actions and the way you treat others.
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