Her Story
About Shauna
Shauna began her banking career in 2008, building a strong foundation through a variety of roles that included teller supervision, personal banking, and assistant branch management. These early experiences gave her a well-rounded understanding of the banking industry while developing the relationship-building, leadership, and communication skills that would ultimately shape the direction of her career.
In 2015, Shauna joined Origin Bank and transitioned into executive and administrative support, serving in roles that included Executive Assistant and Administrative Officer. As her responsibilities grew, she became increasingly involved in coordinating sponsorships, volunteer initiatives, community events, and employee engagement efforts. What began as one component of her administrative responsibilities gradually became a passion and ultimately led her career into community relations.
Today, as Vice President, Community Relations Officer, Shauna has the opportunity to combine nearly two decades of banking experience with her passion for people and community service. She works to build meaningful relationships with nonprofit and community organizations, identify opportunities for Origin Bank to make an impact, and connect employees with opportunities to give back to the communities where they live and work.
Shauna believes that meaningful leadership is rooted in relationships, service, integrity, and a willingness to grow. Her own career journey has reinforced her belief that professional success does not always follow a straight path and that some of the most rewarding opportunities can come from embracing new responsibilities, recognizing where your strengths can make a difference, and remaining open to where those opportunities may lead.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shauna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong work ethic, a willingness to continually learn and grow, and, most importantly, the relationships I have built throughout my career. I have always believed in giving my best to every role and embracing new opportunities, even when they have taken me in directions I may not have originally planned.
I also genuinely enjoy connecting with people and helping others, which has played a significant role in shaping my career in community relations. I believe that when you lead with integrity, treat people with respect, remain willing to learn, and truly care about the work you do, opportunities naturally follow.
I am also incredibly grateful for the mentors, leaders, colleagues, and community partners who have believed in me, challenged me, and given me opportunities to grow throughout my career. My success has never been about one accomplishment—it has been the result of consistently showing up, building meaningful relationships, and being willing to grow with every opportunity that comes my way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the best career advice I’ve received is to never limit yourself to your job description. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone, take on new responsibilities, and say yes to opportunities that allow you to learn and grow. Throughout my own career, some of the responsibilities I took on simply because I was willing to help ultimately led me to discover what I was most passionate about and helped shape the career I have today. I’ve learned that growth often happens when you are willing to embrace opportunities before you know exactly where they may lead.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One piece of advice I received from a manager early in my banking career has stayed with me ever since: “Dress for the position you want, not the position you have.”
To me, that advice has always meant more than simply how you dress. It’s about presenting yourself with confidence and professionalism, carrying yourself at the level you aspire to reach, and showing through your actions that you are prepared for greater responsibility. I would encourage young women entering the industry to believe in their potential, work hard, build meaningful relationships, and carry themselves with confidence. Don’t wait until you have the title to start showing that you are ready for the opportunity.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the banking industry today is the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and technology. While AI is changing how we work and creating opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity, I believe it also reinforces the importance of the human element in our industry. Banking—and especially community relations—is built on trust, relationships, communication, and genuine connection, which technology cannot fully replace.
I believe the opportunity is learning how to embrace new technology while continuing to develop the interpersonal skills, judgment, and relationship-building abilities that make us valuable to the people and communities we serve. The key is not to resist change, but to adapt, continue learning, and use technology as a tool to enhance the work we do rather than replace the human connections at the heart of it.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, respect, kindness, and service to others. I believe in treating everyone with the same level of dignity and respect, regardless of their title or position, and in always doing what is right, even when no one is watching.
Relationships are also incredibly important to me. I believe the strongest relationships are built through trust, open communication, consistency, and genuinely caring about others. Whether I am working with a colleague, a community partner, or someone in my personal life, I strive to be someone people can depend on.
Above all, I believe success is most meaningful when you can use it to positively impact others. Giving back, helping people, and contributing to the community are values that have become an important part of both who I am and how I approach my career.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.