Business Address: 1241 John Q. Hammons Drive, 5th Floor, Madison, WI 53717
Phone: (608) 833-3851
Email:julia.d.voss@wellsfargo.com
Birthplace: Oak Park, Ill.
Spouse’s Name: Nathanael Voss
Membership/Organizations: Board member, Shamrock Shuffle Inc.; on various corporate giving committees for area companies, past volunteer marathon trainer for Leukemia Society, and mentor through Boys & Girls Club/Avid
Education: B.S, Ohio State University; executive MBA, UW-Madison
How long have you been at Wells Fargo, and what is your day-to-day role in the organization?
I opened the permanent Madison commercial banking office for Wells Fargo in late 2009. My day-to-day role is to offer competitive financing and banking solutions to companies throughout greater Madison and the southern part of Wisconsin, which has been a lot of fun and a wonderful success.
Who has influenced your career the most, and in what way?
I certainly learned a lot about pushing forward and keeping a smile on my face from my own mother. She is an amazing person who has a story of overcoming many challenges in her life while focusing on the positive. My husband has always been a strong supporter of my career. My parents taught me how to be confident and persevere, my college coaches taught me how to dig deep and keep fighting, and my professors launched me into my career. I met my husband, Nate, when we were starting out our careers in finance over 14 years ago. His ongoing support, love – and the joy of our two sons – makes everything worthwhile. Our children are the light of our lives. Thanks to my family and their support, I feel I am the luckiest wife, mom, daughter, and banker around.
You have a lot of personal satisfaction – that’s obvious. What was a career high point?
Many years ago, when I closed my first major credit facilities for Midwest-based companies, I was able to see how large of a contribution my financial relationship meant to these manufacturers, distributors, and service businesses that do business locally and globally. The connection of what I was able to do for the company brought new buildings and more jobs, growth, and prosperity to the company, their employees, the community, and our economy. At the same time, when business slows for companies due to outside events, I am able to help financially to get them through any rough patch so they can continue to prosper with a lot less stress. It felt great on my first commercial loan many years ago and feels great today as I serve companies in all my surrounding communities with large financial commitment as a key partner to their growth plans.
If you were going to retire or leave the industry tomorrow, what would you hope would be your contribution or legacy?
I have not thought about leaving my organization or industry. I truly enjoy being a strategic partner to many organizations throughout the region. I am armed with one of the strongest balance sheets and we are not afraid to use it. My plans are to expand the group and remain a permanent fixture in southern Wisconsin. I can’t imagine leaving to do anything different.
But you have had a different life, and you were born in Illinois. Julia, what brought you to Wisconsin?
Cheese curds and brats brought me to Wisconsin! No, I permanently moved here in early 2003 when my husband and I wanted to make Wisconsin our home. We have family in the area, plus Nate grew up in Wisconsin and he graduated from UW-Madison. I have had a lot of fun here and obtained my executive MBA at UW-Madison. We love calling Madison our home.
Was banking always your aspiration? What did you imagine yourself doing when you were in high school?
I saw myself in the business world and that was about it. Not sure where or in what capacity, just part of some great company. As I got closer to senior year, I remember feeling good about my desire to become an ad agency executive. Not sure how I ended up with that aspiration – there must have been some popular movie, book, or program that made advertising real enticing. I thought it would be fun to come up with witty sales pitches and commercials for top-end products. As I entered college and got more into finance, I knew steering toward the commercial banking and finance industry was a better fit for my future. I’m glad I changed my path.
What was your first job, and what did you do with your first paycheck?
I made $4.10 an hour at age 16 working in between school, track practice, and homework at a jewelry store named “Julia’s.” My first paycheck contributed to my next purchase of Nike’s and race flats.
Do you still enjoy running – and what else?
Going on a long run, yes, and any activity with the family – nights out with my husband, playing with my kids, reading books, riding my bike, and family vacations. I enjoy working on the growth and success of the Madison Shamrock Shuffle race as well. Every year it gets bigger and better. Always a good feeling when I can cut the donation check to my favorite organization, the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County.
You mentioned family vacations. Where?
I enjoy the winter and long runs in the snow. So traveling to the mountains for a fun ski trip has always been my favorite getaway.
You also said you enjoy reading. Can you give us a flavor of the types of books you read for pleasure?
I recently read Great by Choice by Jim Collins. The author did a nice job of examining top-rated companies and a leader’s ability to succeed within extreme environments. The idea of ongoing discomfort to achieve performance in difficult conditions and holding back in good conditions is part of the 20-mile-march concept. The concept was held up against top-performing companies reviewed throughout the book – proving how they remained a strong business by setting up extra shock absorbers and buffers well before the next storm arrived. I enjoyed the book and noticed many companies I finance have instilled some of these concepts and metrics into their organization.
What character in any sport, book, movie, or play would you most like to be identified with, and why?
Ha! Not sure on this one. I’ll have to get back to you.
Okay, and another equally revealing and/or strange question, which is our favorite close to these interviews. Can you list three words you think best describe you?
Energetic, caring, and trustworthy.
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