Florida Banking April 2024

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

BE AN ALLY, OR IN OTHER WORDS, BUILD A TEAM

BY KATHY KRANINGER, FBA PRESIDENT AND CEO

I f I were to list every title and position I have held on my resume, it would be extensive. I have joked that I couldn’t hold a job, particularly when compared to those who dedicate their career to one organization. Yet, across the organizations, positions, and time span, I have only had one female boss. To be sure, women have been on the management teams at the same organization; women have been my peers, colleagues, and friends; and I have had majority female teams report to me. Yet, my bosses, mentors and champions have been men.

We were facing a new paradigm and new challenges, particularly after September 11th, 2001, when the mission was front and center. Individual egos were checked, for the most part (I’m not a complete Pollyanna!), and hearing different perspectives and solutions was valued. So was a default to action – there was more than enough work to go around, and we needed everyone on board. “Being an ally,” to me, is about recognizing that everyone has a contribution to make, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Furthermore,

For much of my career, I worked with law enforcement, which remains male-dominated in the front-line officer/ agent workforce as well as in the ranks of leadership. To put some numbers on the sector: in 2021, while 60% of full-time civilian law enforcement employees in the United States were female, only 13.3 percent of full-time law enforcement officers were

each person’s experience, background, race, gender, values, and education bring unique perspectives to the team. Leaders need to tap into the strengths of each team member and coalesce the team, because that is the only way to deliver on the goal. As the CEO of FBA, I want to ensure our team is strong, with every member engaged and contributing – that starts

“‘BEING AN ALLY,’ TO ME, IS ABOUT RECOGNIZING THAT EVERYONE HAS A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE, AND THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.”

female and less than 3% of leadership were female. So, it was not unusual for me to be the only woman in the room or the only woman at the table. It rarely fazed me, and I was generally not even conscious of it. I attribute that, largely, to two things – first, I grew up with three brothers who helped ensure I stand up for myself and have a thick skin; second, I spoke up and was heard in those rooms. That second point is interesting, looking back now. I believe it says as much about the fantastic men I had the honor of serving with and working for as it does about me.

with the FBA staff and extends to our association. New perspectives and backgrounds should be brought to the team to strengthen our ability to deliver on the mission. At the FBA Board, we are talking about how to engage emerging leaders in the banking sector and within the FBA – I welcome your thoughts on this important issue. This month, I can note one opportunity to engage more women in leadership opportunities, and that is through our 10th Annual Women in Leadership Conference. I look forward to seeing you there!

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