A thoughtful exploration of building meaningful relationships through trust, honest communication, and genuine service to others, with insights on leadership, financial literacy, and personal growth.
Her Story
About Lauryn
Lauryn Baron is a Business Development Manager with Academy Bank, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across hospitality, retail, and financial services. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for driving business growth, developing high-performing teams, and fostering strong client relationships through a commitment to exceptional service and community engagement.
Before transitioning into banking, Lauryn held leadership positions in the hospitality industry, overseeing full-service hotel operations, sales strategies, and guest experience initiatives. Since entering the banking industry, she has successfully led branches to significant deposit and loan growth, maintained exceptional compliance and audit performance, and helped clients achieve their personal and business financial goals.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lauryn is passionate about financial literacy, mentorship, and community involvement. She serves on the Board of Directors for SOAR Special Needs, supporting programs and initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities and their families.
Lauryn holds a bachelor's degree in business management with a Minor in Communication and an associate's degree in accounting. She is licensed through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) and is a commissioned Kansas Notary Public.
Driven by a people-first leadership philosophy, Lauryn believes that trust, communication, and service are the foundation of lasting relationships and long-term success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lauryn
01What do you attribute your success to?
While Lauryn's success is rooted in her hard work and dedication, she is deeply grateful for the support and encouragement of her parents, friends, mentors, and colleagues whose guidance and belief in her have played an invaluable role in her journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A mentor once shared a piece of advice that has shaped my leadership style: "You have to be a nice asshole." At its core, it means balancing empathy with directness. Strong leaders care about people and their success, but they also have the courage to have honest conversations when needed. It's about what you communicate AND how you communicate it. By approaching difficult situations with respect, compassion, and clarity, you can support individuals while ensuring they understand expectations, accountability, and opportunities for growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Work hard and don't let others stand in the way of your goals. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, challenge you, and lift you up. Trust your instincts and follow your heart. If there's something you truly want to do, go for it. And if it scares you, that's often an even better reason to do it. Growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.
Nothing worthwhile comes easy. There will be obstacles, setbacks, and moments of doubt, but those experiences help shape who you become. I'd rather take a chance and fail than spend my life wondering, "What if?" Failure isn't the opposite of success—it's part of the journey. Some of life's most valuable lessons come from the times we fall short, learn, and come back stronger.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Fraud is at an all-time high, and one of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of financial literacy and education being taught to younger generations. Many young adults, and even some older adults, have never been taught basic financial skills such as how to write a check, balance an account, avoid scams, or understand credit. At the same time, seniors are often the primary targets of fraudsters, making financial education important at every stage of life.
I am a strong advocate for financial literacy because knowledge is one of the best defenses against fraud and financial mistakes. Whether it's understanding banking products, recognizing scams, building credit, managing debt, or planning for the future, I believe everyone deserves access to financial education. I'm always happy to answer questions, provide guidance, and help people make informed financial decisions with confidence.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust and communication are the foundation of every strong relationship. Without trust, it's difficult to build anything meaningful, whether in your personal life or your career. Trust is earned through consistent, honest, and transparent communication. It's not just about speaking, it’s about listening, following through on your commitments, and being authentic in your interactions. Trust isn't built overnight. Strong relationships are built when people know they can count on you, and that starts with trust.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Lauryn
The Power of Relationships: Why Trust & Communication Matter
Building Success Through Trust, Integrity, and a Genuine Commitment to Serving Others
Relationships, Trust, and the Power of Serving Others
Throughout my career, one lesson has remained constant, regardless of the industry I've served: relationships matter. Whether working in hospitality, retail management, or banking, success has always come back to building trust, communicating openly, and genuinely caring about the people I serve.
I learned the value of hard work at an early age from my parents, who remain my greatest role models and supporters. Their dedication, work ethic, and commitment to helping others shaped the foundation of who I am today. Along the way, I have been fortunate to have mentors, colleagues, friends, and my fiancée challenge me to grow, encourage me to take risks, and remind me that success is rarely achieved alone.
Balancing Empathy with Accountability
One piece of advice from a mentor has stayed with me throughout my professional journey: You can care deeply about people while also being honest and direct.
Effective leadership is about balancing empathy with accountability. It is not only about what you say but also how you say it. People deserve transparency, constructive feedback, and genuine support. When approached with respect and sincere concern, even difficult conversations can strengthen relationships and create opportunities for growth.
Trust and Communication
Trust and communication are the cornerstones of every meaningful relationship. Whether with family, friends, coworkers, or clients, trust is earned through consistency, honesty, and follow-through.
In banking, trust is especially important. Clients are often making significant financial decisions, and they want to know they have someone in their corner who understands their goals and has their best interests at heart. Strong relationships are built when people know they can depend on you.
The Importance of Financial Literacy
Another area I am deeply passionate about is financial literacy.
Fraud continues to rise, and many people do not receive the financial education necessary to navigate today's financial landscape with confidence. Young adults often enter the real world without understanding fundamental concepts such as budgeting, credit, or banking services. At the same time, older adults remain among the groups most frequently targeted by financial scams.
Education is one of the most effective tools we have to protect individuals, empower informed financial decisions, and help people achieve long-term financial well-being.
Serving Others
My commitment to serving others extends beyond my professional career. I proudly serve on the Board of Directors for SOAR Special Needs, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families.
Through this role, I have the opportunity to advocate for inclusion, independence, and access to resources that empower individuals to thrive. Supporting my community and helping others reach their full potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.
Growth Happens Outside Our Comfort Zones
I firmly believe that growth happens outside our comfort zones.
Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned came from taking chances, experiencing setbacks, and choosing to keep moving forward. I would rather fail while pursuing a meaningful goal than live with the regret of never trying.
Success is not about avoiding failure. It is about learning from it, adapting, and continuing to grow.
A Simple Philosophy
At the heart of everything I do is a simple philosophy: work hard, invest in relationships, communicate honestly, and never stop learning.
When we lead with integrity, support those around us, and remain committed to serving others, we create opportunities not only for ourselves but also for the people and communities we are privileged to serve.
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