BL A C K
2021
Senior Vice President/National Director of Community Lending
LEADERS Worth Watching
TM
Education: Bachelor’s degree, business, Barry University Company Name: Valley Bank Industry: Banking/Finance Company CEO: Ira Robbins, President & CEO Company Headquarters Location: Wayne, New Jersey Number of Employees: 4,000 Your Location (if different from above): West Palm Beach, Florida Words you live by: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou Who is your personal hero? My mother, Liz Johnson What book are you reading? The Gift: The Essential Guide to Money and investments for Women by Mark A. Parks, Jr. (CPA) What was your first job? Kmart in Detroit, Michigan Favorite charity: Habitat for Humanity Interests: Bowling, traveling, and helping others to understand the Bible Family: Husband, Kyle A. Sullivan; Sons, Kyle D. Sullivan and Brandon A. Sullivan
“
The pandemic has reinforced our commitment to building a Community Lending Department that supports the pillars of our communities by providing financial literacy training, and products that give them access to capital.
”
Why I Do What I Do My professional passion has been ignited by the opportunity to nurture and support minority- and women-owned businesses. The pandemic has reinforced our commitment to building a Community Lending Department that supports the pillars of our communities by providing financial literacy training, and products that
80
2021 Fourth Quarter
give them access to capital. My Team and I have the opportunity to work with businesses that haven’t had a traditional banking relationship. Our job is to understand their business in a holistic way, and offer them robust financing options and products that support their business needs. When we do this, we are
empowering these business owners to achieve financial success. The Bible says: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving,” and I can truly say I have experienced the happiness by giving small businesses the help they need to be successful. This is WHY I do what I do each day.
www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
Thais R. Sullivan
