Her Story
About Syeda Suraya
I have been in the financial industry for about 5 years now at Bank of America, focusing on retail banking and client solutions after gaining 6 years of wealth management experience in Canada with Royal Bank of Canada and Scotia McLeod. Originally from South Asia, I hold two master's degrees in English literature and business administration, plus extensive professional training in leadership and project management, and I was licensed through the Canadian Securities Course for wealth management. I enjoy working directly with clients to understand their needs, provide solutions for their day-to-day banking or business challenges, conduct outreach to prospective clients, and collaborate with partners, which gives me a strong sense of professional accomplishment.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Syeda Suraya
01What do you attribute your success to?
Never lose focus on what you want to achieve and be persistent. Try to achieve excellence in whatever you do rather than chasing sales, as excellence will bring success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never lose focus on what you want to achieve and be persistent. Focus on excellence rather than sales.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Have patience because banking can be challenging with different kinds of clients. Keep your focus, continue learning, and be empathetic to yourself, your peers, and clients.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Learning and understanding the retail side of banking presents a great opportunity for growth, as I have not previously worked much on the regional side and see many areas to grow and learn new things.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and strong work ethics are central to my professional life. I also highly value empathy, as I have seen how a lack of it affects colleagues, partners, and clients, and I prioritize a positive work environment and relationships.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.