Geri Thomas: Bankable Ethics

“Be clear on what’s important to you; Make sure there is no conflict with your values,” Geri Thomas, President of Georgia Operations and Diversity & Inclusion Executive, Bank of America, tells women seeking to advance their careers.

The Atlanta, Georgia native has a reputation for strong performance and leadership. But it didn’t come easy facing the hurdles of race and gender bias.

Like many women, she’s in an industry dominated by white men, where white women are usually tapped into executive roles for diversification.

“I always hit the ground running,” Thomas tells PINK, “learning the responsibilities of roles as quickly as possible.”

It’s that work ethic – that go-getter mentality – that has propelled her into a league not of her own.

During our chat with her she shares how she gained clarity through great tragedy, landed her first big job and what she thinks it will take to see more black women in the executive roles.

Little PINK Book: What is your most vivid memory about your first day as Bank of America state President of Georgia?

GT: I don’t actually have a memory of my first day as Bank of America state president of Georgia. But, I do recall my first meeting with the leadership team. I declared all hall passes had been revoked and I expected all of our leaders to be actively engaged with our community partners; it would not be the “Geri Show.”

LPB: How did you get your big break in the industry and land that first big job?

GT: I established a reputation for strong performance in all of my roles. I would always hit the ground running, learning the responsibilities of the roles as quickly as possible, always asking questions when I did not understand.

Within the first year of joining the human resources division, a major reduction in force occurred. Even though I was the last person hired, I had quickly demonstrated the value I could add and was selected as a member of the team that would remain.

LPB: What is your success secret – your personal mantra?

I grew up in a culture where community leadership was an expectation and requirement.

GT: I have always endeavored to be a strategic business partner, even as a human resources professional. I lead with the needs of the business.

My mantra: Always hire people who are smarter than me and give them the platform to showcase their talent.

LPB: What has been your biggest challenge?

GT: Over the past year, I lost both my mother and my husband of 43 years. That helped me to gain absolute clarity on what’s really important in life. As I focused on the health challenges of my family, I never felt conflicted about my professional duties and my family.

LPB: What would your advice be to a young woman entering the business world with hopes to rise up the ranks?

GT: Be clear on what’s important to you and make sure there is no conflict with your values. Also, be certain that you keep your skills relevant.

LPB: Did you have a mentor during the early part of your career? What was the best tidbit of advice you received

GT: The mentors I had early in my career were more like my coaches. There was not an abundance of people who looked like me so I had to establish relationships that were reciprocal, where I could also provide them insights they did not have. They told me to make sure I always had people I could go to who would be “sources of truth” for me.

LPB: How did your previous role prepare you for your current position?

GT: I have had the good fortune to be an Atlanta native who has been able to work in this community my entire career. And, I was previously a member of the executive leadership team, so I have an understanding of the business and I have been a community partner as well. Regardless of what my day job has been, I grew up in a culture where community leadership was an expectation and requirement so that clearly served as preparation for my current role.

LPB: What will it take to see more black women in positions of leadership?

GT: It is essential that more companies provide opportunities through developing existing bench players while simultaneously, aggressively, recruiting new talent.