C-Suite: Lori Walker
by October 10, 2022 8:55 am 880 views
Fast fact: Managed external and internal communications for the $1.2 billion bank’s core system conversion in 2018, a merger in 2019 and a global pandemic in 2020-2021.
What is the best business advice you have ever received or given? If you have a seat at the table, you’ve earned it. Find your voice and contribute. And if you’re a woman or person of color at the executive table, help pave the way for others of diverse backgrounds.
What is one thing you would change about your company if you could today? I love that we’re a hometown bank providing hometown service. I just wish that more people knew what a great experience they could have banking with us so that we could expand our reach.
Which supporting skills do you think are most important when it comes to leadership? Obviously, I’m biased, but I believe that the ability to communicate is a vital skill for every leader and every organization. If you don’t have effective internal communication, your company culture and employee engagement will suffer, and it will eventually affect your bottom line.
What’s the most recent book you read? I just finished “Verity” by Colleen Hoover, and I can’t stop thinking about the ending. I’m a voracious reader and finish at least 100 fiction books each year.
If you could change one thing about your leadership style, what would it be and why? I’m very driven and task oriented, so if you give me a goal, I’ll immediately start working to meet it. As I’ve advanced in my career, I’ve worked hard to deepen my empathy, but I often wish that I was more people oriented and less task oriented.
If you had $1 million to give, what would you support? I would expand my giving to the great organizations I already support, including the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA, Sunshine School and Development Center, Saving Grace, EOA Children’s House and Circle of Life Hospice.
What is the most used app on your phone? Other than Outlook for work email, I use the ESPN app the most so that I can watch games, check scores and stats, and read stories. I’m obsessed with football.
What do you think is most important in creating a positive culture? Inclusion is vital to the success of every business. Every single team member needs to feel valued for who they are and what they bring to the table. You have to foster an environment that celebrates diverse voices and opinions in order to have the strongest organization.