Her Story
About Veronica
I'm an executive assistant and coordinator with Fifth Third Bank, where I've been for 6 years. Fifth Third Bank is a regional bank out of Cincinnati that's been in Chicago for the past 30 years and recently became the 9th largest bank in the country after a merger with Comerica. I manage calendars for two directors, one in brand, market, and management, and the other in our Fifth Third Ventures Investment Group. I also manage a full staff of 74 on my floor in the Innovation Center, handle all internal bookings for events and town hall meetings, and manage our community partnerships for external events with non-profit community organizational partners. Interestingly, I came into banking by accident - I applied to what I thought was just an innovation center job, and when I came to interview, I found out it was for the head of strategy's executive assistant position. Before banking, I spent 10 years as a DJ for Radio Disney from 1996 through 2006, and I was one of the people on the team that brought Radio Disney to life in Chicago. One of my proudest achievements was helping bring Disney characters to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Veronica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a really strong work ethic. I'm someone that believes that you have to like what you do, and putting your care into your day-to-day is really important. I'm never someone that's just shown up to work just to work a job. I have to be in an environment where I feel like I'm adding something and that my talents and skills are needed in a space. I really do attribute it to a strong work ethic and showing up with my whole self authentically.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that you're the CEO of your own life. It doesn't matter if you're standing in a room full of more senior executives, your opinion matters.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I always tell them to stay true to themselves. Know your boundaries and understand that your work life is just that - it's okay to compartmentalize and make sure that you're living authentically for yourself. The other thing I want to add is to be the influence for change. Oftentimes as women in the workplace, we tend to shy away from being emboldened to speak our minds. Making sure that you're influencing your workplace and speaking up, whether it's something good or not so good, that you're sharing that with your leadership. I think that's really important.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is communication, honestly. Things tend to fall through the cracks when they aren't properly communicated in a timely basis. Making sure that there are open lines of communication, and even over-communicating when necessary to ensure that things are handled in a timely manner, is critical.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the most important value to me. I would say that is the key thing for me. I can't be around flaky people. You have to walk the talk and talk the talk, and integrity is my mainstay.
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