What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
The most rewarding aspects of my job are definitely the clients I get to work for and my colleagues and company I get to work with. Even if it sounds cliché, it’s true. Johnson clients are honestly just THE best, nicest, wonderful, hardworking, and good people around. Getting to finance some neat projects, problem solve, and offer advice is personally and professionally rewarding.
Outside of Johnson, most banks offer really boring and standardized options to clients. But at Johnson, I have a ton of really cool, unique, and interesting options I get to offer. Not only does it make my job far more interesting, but it also allows me to truly help people in many out-of-the-box ways. One example is home renovation lending based on post-construction values. If a home doesn’t have the value right now, but will after a large renovation, in many situations I can lend based on future value. I can do some unsecure lending, partnership loans, and investment secure lending to name a few. It’s just neat things like this that make being a banker here fun.
The most challenging aspect of my job is just getting the word out about Johnson Financial Group. Many people don’t know about us and haven’t heard about us. Honestly though, we are the perfect middle area between a credit union and a bank. We align with credit unions on how we care for people and strive to make our communities a better place, but we have the abilities and capacities of a large bank. And in Madison, where people are obsessed with their credit union, it’s a nice space to be working in.
Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
I admire the sheer number of people here in Madison that are doers. We all benefit from the immense passion for creating something entirely new or pouring energy into growing what we have in place today. I admire and am inspired by the people here in our community.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Getting to connect and know clients on a very personal level. I’m assuming people would never imagine a banker personally getting close to clients, but I’ve actually gotten very close to many people. I’ve been to client’s weddings; some even came to my wedding. I’ve been to various celebrations with them, seen them through really crummy life situations, and attended funerals for clients I deeply cared about. People and personal connections drive me as a person, so getting to make these connections and friendships has been totally wonderful.
Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Considering I planned on being a teacher, my 21-year-old self pictured and imagined my life would look very different at this point in my career. Careers evolve and go on routes you don’t always plan for. At a young age, there is so much pressure and anticipation for your career around planning for specific events or pushing toward certain outcomes that may actually not come to fulfilment. But on the flip side, I’ve had wonderful opportunities come up that I never would have considered or dreamed of. So, career advice: Be open and ready for the unexpected. Continue to learn and grow personally and professionally so that you can take opportunities when they come. To quote one of my favorite musicals, Into the Woods, “Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.” So, be ready for your opportunities!
What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
Life here is excellent! From the restaurants, to the number of incredible nonprofits to get involved with, to the people — the quality of life is just so good.
Professionally it’s wonderful to work in all this positive energy. Things are always growing and changing and evolving. There’s just a tone of optimism and excitement, and I’m glad to be a part of it!
Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I’m a classically trained pianist and have an undergraduate degree that prepared me to be a conductor and teacher. I later went back to business school and got an MBA from UW–Madison, but music is a huge part of who I am outside of my life as a banker. I’m always looking for ways to work in music education in my free time. I have accompanied and coached various high school groups and singers around Dane County, played piano for La Follette High School’s musical, and have played in a couple chamber settings. If you’re ever in need of a coach, volunteer, or adjudicator, hit me up! I would LOVE to help.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Being a transplant to the Midwest and Wisconsin years ago, along with being a lover of savory and fried foods, Friday fish fries really changed my life. For a while, my husband and I spent every Friday eating at every fish fry we could. It reached a point one Friday night at an all-you-can-eat event when I realized my gluttony (and waist line) had gone too far. I think I may have only eaten my beloved cod fish fry a couple of times since.
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