My journey into banking began with an unexpected catalyst—a credit card bill. As a university student, I signed up for a credit card against my father’s advice. When the bill came due, I realized I didn’t have the funds to pay it off. That moment of financial urgency led me to secure a part-time position as a bank teller, setting in motion a career I had never envisioned.
At the time, my understanding of banking was limited to what I saw in a branch. I had no aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder, primarily because I didn’t see people who looked like me in senior leadership. However, during my time as a teller, I frequently heard about a management development program. Intrigued, I researched the opportunity and ultimately decided to apply. The program promised to provide a comprehensive understanding of financial services, and in retrospect, it became the stepping stone that shaped my career.
Climbing the corporate ladder
Once I gained my footing in the industry, I pursued many roles across various U.S. banks, eager to expand my expertise. However, I quickly realized that representation in financial services was scarce—I was often the only Black woman in the room. Initially, I hesitated to seek mentorship, believing that those who hadn’t shared my lived experiences might not understand my journey. Instead, I leaned on my father, who became my first mentor.
His advice came with high expectations. He often reminded me that I had to be ten times better than my peers to be considered for the same opportunities. That pressure was immense, but I embraced it as motivation to excel. As a Black woman from a family without corporate America connections, I had to carve my own path. Excellence was not optional—it was necessary.
After more than two decades in financial services, I reached a turning point. I had gained experience in every area I deemed essential and felt ready for a new challenge. Consulting had always intrigued me. Many of my university peers had been recruited by prestigious consulting firms—firms that, at the time, did not actively seek out professionals who looked like me. Rather than waiting for an invitation, I took matters into my own hands and launched my own consulting firm.
Managing my career on my own terms
My consulting career took off, and I had the privilege of working with clients from around the world, including TD. I was thriving and deeply passionate about my work. More importantly, it was during this time that I learned to advocate for myself. To me, being bold meant standing up for something—and I stood up for myself.
I built my career from the ground up and found success. Seeing a Black woman excel in her profession was becoming less of an anomaly, and that progress was powerful.
Because of my work with the Bank, former TD CEO Ed Clark and former president and CEO of TD Canada Trust Tim Hockey invited me to lunch one day and said, “We could really benefit from your talents, especially in the digital space. We’d love for you to consider joining TD full-time.”
The decision didn’t take long—I already admired TD culture, the people, and the opportunities for growth. I made the leap. Fourteen years later, I’m still here.
I consider my time at TD my “second career” in financial services, largely because I joined with a new perspective: my self-worth was not defined by anyone else or by external validation. That realization took years to embrace, and for a long time, it held me back in the early stages of my career.
Now, as a senior leader responsible for shaping the Bank’s digital, innovation, operational excellence and payment ecosystem strategy, I take my role as a mentor and advocate seriously. When I see greater representation at all levels, I think back to the young woman I was 20 years ago—discouraged and isolated. Today, she would be proud.
That said, while we’ve made progress—and should celebrate it—there is still much work to do. Black women continue to face biases, stereotypes, and a lack of visibility in the workplace. The journey is far from over.
The importance of mentorship and giving back
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that mentorship isn’t limited to those who look like me. We can all learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, and I didn’t fully appreciate that earlier in my career. Today, I see it differently.
I’m deeply passionate about developing others. As a leader, I believe in transparency, and I bring that honesty into my mentorship. When people seek my guidance, I provide direct and constructive feedback because I want them to succeed. I teach my mentees that the world does not define them—they define themselves. My goal is to help others find their voice and advocate for themselves, especially those who feel hesitant to speak up.
One way I give back is through my role as co-chair of Enterprise Black Experiences at TD, where we focus on celebrating Black contributions, amplifying our voices, and addressing the challenges we continue to face.
I encourage everyone to be bold—to take a stand for what matters. My husband often told our children, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything.” I live by that principle and use my platform to drive meaningful change.
I never turn down an opportunity to meet someone for coffee, no matter their role within the Bank. I remember what it felt like to be a young professional searching for guidance, and I want to ensure that no one else feels that way.
One step at a time, we are changing the narrative—together.
If I can help others feel seen, I have done my job. For me, excellence isn’t optional. Is it for you?