Her Story
About Rita
I started in banking in 1991 as a teller while pursuing my nursing degree at Santa Monica City College and Cal State Northridge, but I discovered that banking was truly my passion. I've experienced every position in banking from the ground up - from teller to new account rep, supervisor, and branch manager. In 1998 or early 2000, I became a vice president and branch manager, where I helped open Noble branches and assisted in acquisitions and mergers between First Bank and First Bank of Beverly Hills when I was in Beverly Hills. My learning has been through hands-on experience, and now working in Pasadena, I'm able to help and mentor others because I've been in their shoes. I stay connected with the community through financial literacy programs and business growth assistance, finding it incredibly rewarding to witness generational growth - whether it's families growing from baby steps to having their own children, or businesses expanding. Those genuine connections and relationships with employees and business owners have been the most fulfilling part of my career. One of my early challenges was proving myself as a young woman in banking during a time when there wasn't as much inclusivity and diversity - I was in my 20s and early 30s when most branch managers were older, but I was able to prove my value through my work and dedication.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying connected with the community. When you stay connected and give back through financial literacy or assistance in business growth, it's incredibly rewarding. Having those relationships with employees and business owners has been meaningful to me because I get to see generational growth - whether it's families starting from baby steps and having their own children, or businesses expanding. Seeing that growth is amazing to me, and those genuine connections have made staying connected truly worthwhile.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The biggest piece of advice I've received is to stay connected. Stay connected with your community, because when you give back through financial literacy or assistance in business growth, it's rewarding. For me, staying connected and having those relationships with employees and business owners has been incredibly meaningful. It's been wonderful to see the generational growth - whether it's people starting from baby steps to having their own children and growing, or growing their business and expanding. Seeing that growth is amazing, so when my mentors told me to stay connected, it was really worthwhile advice.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be positive, never give up. If this is your passion and your calling, align yourself with a mentor and learn from them. Ask questions and be curious. A loss doesn't necessarily mean a true loss - it's always a learning process. As long as you learn from something that you're not good at, it's a learning situation. So think positive and spin it around.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My most important value is to stay genuine. I believe in speaking from the heart and speaking from the truth. Those genuine connections are more rewarding because when you're speaking from the heart, those moments are forever implanted in you.
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