Kara Melkerson

I attribute my success to a consistent focus on impact, innovation, and integrity throughout my professional journey. I began my career in auditing and operations, which provided a strong foundation for understanding organizational processes and financial controls. Over time, I transitioned into leadership roles that allowed me to shape enterprise-level strategy, building high-performing teams and driving meaningful outcomes. My experiences at Body Central, where I led teams that delivered measurable results, helped lay the groundwork for my current global role at Deutsche Bank. My education, including a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, has been instrumental in shaping my leadership style. It taught me the importance of understanding and adapting to the unique strengths and motivations of different individuals, enabling me to lead diverse teams effectively. Learning how to collaborate with and empower people across various roles has been critical to achieving both team and organizational goals. Today, I oversee spending for Deutsche Bank’s global network services, managing vendor relationships, addressing high-priority escalations, and ensuring operational efficiency. My strategic oversight has led to nearly $10 million in cost savings, demonstrating the tangible impact of strong financial leadership. These accomplishments reflect not just numbers, but the dedication, discipline, and thoughtful collaboration that have driven my success.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be open both to mentoring others and being mentored myself. Designing mentoring programs and acknowledging key mentors, such as Aja Tebow and Patricia, has reinforced my belief in the power of guidance, support, and shared knowledge in professional growth. I’ve also learned the importance of staying adaptable in a constantly changing landscape. In banking, regulations and expectations evolve rapidly, and the ability to remain flexible and responsive has been essential to navigating challenges and achieving long-term success.

I would advise young women entering the industry to prioritize building and maintaining strong professional relationships. Success is deeply tied to the quality of these connections—whether managing teams, collaborating across departments, or networking externally, your reputation and the relationships you cultivate can open doors or create opportunities down the line. It’s essential to nurture trust, communicate effectively, and never burn bridges, as the strength of your network often shapes your career trajectory.

One of the biggest challenges in the banking industry today is navigating constant regulatory changes. These evolving requirements directly impact team workflows, operational processes, and strategic planning, requiring adaptability, proactive problem-solving, and clear communication to ensure compliance while maintaining efficiency.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are transparency, accountability, and empowerment. I believe that strong leadership comes from building trust, maintaining solid relationships, and leading with integrity, respect, and courage. One of my proudest accomplishments was leading a team to exceed cost-saving targets for the first time in five years—tripling the expected results—demonstrating the power of collaborative, values-driven leadership. I prioritize fostering an environment where team members feel supported and empowered to contribute their best work. I also emphasize the importance of never burning bridges, as professional relationships and networks are essential to long-term success. These principles guide how I manage teams globally and shape the decisions I make in both leadership and everyday interactions.