Mary DeRosa

I've always believed there's a reason I'm here, and it's not just to get married and have children. From a young age, I found that people naturally came to me for advice, as a teenager, in my early 30s, into my 40s. Sometimes I thought I had information written across my forehead because people kept seeking me out. I realized maybe this is my thing, maybe this is why I'm here, to really help others get into a better place in their life. That's become the foundation of everything I do. I also believe in making a presence. The first thing I always tell people is to always show a presence, even if you're shy. When I walk into a room, I say hello to everybody. If it's somebody I've known for a while and haven't seen, I give them hugs. People always know when I walk through the door. I'm respected by everybody, even though I'm the compliance police and deal with departments that don't always know their compliance. Just last week in a leadership class, when people were asked to name one person they'd want to be more like, five people in the class picked me. Some of these people didn't even know me, so I was really moved by the fact that there were people in my own organization who I hardly deal with that actually knew I was a person that could influence them in some way. I'm not someone who needs formal awards. I'm more rewarded by just seeing other people do well.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came not from a single person, but from the many leaders, colleagues, and industry professionals who have influenced me throughout my career. Each relationship taught me something valuable about leadership, resilience, and the importance of continuous learning. One of the most meaningful lessons I learned is that success is never achieved alone it is built through collaboration, strong relationships, and a willingness to help others grow along the way. Those experiences shaped my leadership style and reinforced my belief that mentoring and supporting others is both a responsibility and one of the most rewarding aspects of a successful career.

The one thing I always tell them is to make a presence. Always show a presence, even if you're shy. The first thing I always do when I walk into a room is I say hello to everybody. If it's somebody I've known for a while and haven't seen, I give them hugs. I always make a presence, and people always know when I walk through the door. I'm not liked by everybody because I'm the compliance police, but I'm respected by everybody. The biggest thing you can do is make a presence, and even if you think you're wrong about something, still make that presence, and always back up whatever you're going to say. That confidence and willingness to be visible and heard, even when you're uncertain, is what will help you succeed in this industry.

Mary believes one of the industry's ongoing challenges is attracting and retaining diverse talent while ensuring future leaders are prepared to take on increasingly complex roles. She sees tremendous opportunity in mentoring programs, leadership development initiatives, and expanding opportunities for women throughout the industry.

Mary values integrity, leadership, service, mentorship, accountability, authenticity, and continuous growth. She believes strong leadership is measured not only by personal success but also by the ability to help others succeed.