Shelisa McCall Abraham, NCCO, NCBSO, CRVPM

I attribute my success to continuous learning, meaningful conversations, and being open to growth. Early in my career, a CEO challenged me to stop relying on “I don’t know,” which pushed me to deepen my knowledge and always come prepared. While I may initially come across as more formal in professional settings, people eventually see a more down-to-earth side of me where I value real connection, collaboration, and trust. Over time, those relationships reveal both my professional capability and my ability to engage with others on a personal level, which has helped me grow and succeed.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came early in my compliance career from a vice president I worked closely with. I would often second-guess my work and seek her review, and while she would point out issues, I initially took it very personally. She reminded me that no matter how strong your work is, someone will always find something to critique, and the key is not to let that discourage you. Instead, she taught me to evaluate feedback critically—distinguish between what is truly useful and what is simply criticism for the sake of criticism—and to keep moving forward. That perspective has been especially valuable in my work with federal and state examiners, where I’ve learned to stay confident in the strength of my compliance and BSA programs while still remaining open to meaningful feedback without letting unnecessary criticism derail my progress.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to never let anyone convince you that you can’t succeed—your background or zip code is not your destiny, your determination is. When I started, I entered a very male-dominated space where I had to learn how to make my voice heard, be firm, and not allow myself to be dismissed. Over time, I realized the importance of striking a balance: being strong and direct when necessary, while still being authentic and true to who I am. I’ve learned that people may initially underestimate you, but as they get to know you, your knowledge, confidence, and personality speak for themselves.

The biggest challenges in my field right now center on navigating ongoing regulatory and operational changes while still effectively managing risk. In the financial industry, there is constant pressure to adapt to new requirements, but we also have to ensure compliance and protect the organization from unnecessary exposure or financial loss. It requires careful balance, strong controls, and thoughtful implementation so that we meet evolving expectations without compromising stability. At the same time, at the local government level, there are parallel challenges around securing adequate funding, building strong infrastructure, and effectively addressing constituent needs. What makes it especially interesting is how closely these two areas intersect in my day-to-day work, both requiring strategic thinking, adaptability, and a strong focus on responsible execution.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, accountability, and loyalty. I strive to be authentic, transparent, and upfront in how I communicate and lead. I also make it a point not to ask others to do anything I haven’t been willing to do myself, as I believe strongly in leading by example. Having had the opportunity to work in different roles and perspectives, I bring both experience and humility into my leadership. I also value a practical, solution-focused mindset—when challenges arise, I encourage focusing on resolving the issue first rather than assigning blame, while maintaining a sense of humor to keep things grounded.