Ingram's November 2022

Teresa Ascencio , Chief People Officer DICKINSON FINANCIAL CORP/ACADEMY BANK

Teresa Ascencio grew up in an Independence family with no shortage of teachers, including a set of grandparents, her mother, four aunts, two uncles, and her stepfather. Add in her father’s long ties to military service and her parent’s commitment to their church, and you get an environment, she says, “where education and service were instilled at an early age.” Today she’s the chief people officer at Academy Bank, where all of those influences still come into play. In helping manage roughly 800 employees, she says, “learning and development are the areas I love the most. I’ve had the opportunity to create and facilitate leadership development and summer intern programs. Both programs focus on leadership access, service to one another through the development of talent and skills, and bilateral education.” Ascencio took a somewhat unexpected path to HR work—after college, she earned a law degree, then spent 11 years as a

these fears by recentering to my family’s values of dignity, respect, and ac- ceptance of others’ per- spectives.” Her perspec tive across two sectors has shown her that “op portunities exist for wo men in both law and banking: Both take hard work, but they are largely service-oriented and thus great professions for wo-

litigator at various firms before ending up at what is now Dentons and transitioning into the firm’s practice-management side. “While I loved the advocacy, writing, and strategy involved in litigation, civility in the legal profession was waning, the schedule was unpredictable, and I felt like arguing for a living was not where I could best contribute,” she says. Administrative duties also fit with her needs as a mother; when her son was eight months old, she became the firm’s regional director of operations. Before long, “my ‘currency’ or motivations had changed from status and money to an opportunity to make an impact and lifestyle,” Ascencio recalls. She began a search for a new opportunity that led her toAcademyBank’sparent,DickinsonFinancialCorp. As theleaderof thecompany’sDiversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging program, she says, “I am sometimes fearful that I will get it wrong—that I won’t use the right language, won’t know the social or historical under pinnings, or won’t pursue the right strategies. So far, I’ve found a safe space to work through Kelly Collins , Regional Director, Retail Banking COMMERCE BANK

men who are good at forming strong relationships and connecting with people,” she says. “Banking has the benefit of being an inclusive profession. Unlike law, which requires a degree and license, banking is available to any woman who wants to learn the trade and be of service to the community. Traditionally, bank teller posi- tions were largely held by women, and that front-line, service-oriented role is a great place to start a banking career that can lead to executive leadership.”

Kelly Collins’ story demonstrates the power of long-ago connections to influence lives today. About a century ago, her great-grandfather took a job as a mail-room clerk with Commerce Bank, and he retired 50 years later—as a senior vice president. “He was passionate about the company, the people, the customers and the values of the organization—and I knew I would be, too. He would be thrilled to see the way I’ve carved out my own path with Commerce over the past two decades.” That she’s done on her rise to regional director of retail banking for a the state’s second-largest bank, with more than $33 billion in assets. She now oversees more than 300 employees at 54 branches, cascading over four states, and manages a deposit and loan portfolio worth over $4.5 billion. She played a key role in helping Commerce Bank establish its footprint in Oklahoma after an acquisition 15 years ago, and more recently

with Commerce,” she says, “I knew quickly that I could see myself thriving with this org anization.” Unlike bank settings in the 1920s, the doors to leadership roles have been opened to women, and Collins has stepped through. “Commerce has been very focused on helping women grow in their

received Commerce’s “Collaboration Cup” award for her team’s work implementing the federal Payroll Protection Program at the height of the pandemic in 2020. That involved working around the clock to develop training and user guides, then working with vendors and customers to complete and process applications. Inspired by stories she remembered hearing from her great-grandfather, this Lee’s Summit native formed her own life and leadership values based on his: accountability, integrity, adaptability, generosity, mentorship and enthusiasm. “These values are ones I’ve seen reflected in my own mentors and colleagues, which is incredibly important to me,” Collins says. She got into banking, she says, because “I was eager to find a career that allowed me to be independent, make money and create my own path right after I graduated. I started at a smaller bank and worked there for three years and discovered I was really good at it. Once I had some experience under my belt, I felt ready to explore options at a larger bank.” The familial history with Commerce made it a natural fit. “When I started

careers throughout all roles within the bank,” she says. “I’ve had numerous op portunities for professional development and growth, and I’ve felt supported all along the way. As I grew into a leadership role, I had some very strong mentors— women and men—who advocated for me, believed in me and acknowledged my hard work and initiative.” Now, she’s paying it forward: “I have an obligation and passion to help other women and minority individuals succeed by mentor ing and advocating for them.”

26

I n g r a m ’ s

November 2022

Ingrams.com