Women Worth Watching 2015
Ina Murray
PNC’s EVP Partners with Communities to Deliver Financial Education to All
A member of the PNC team since 2006, Ina Murray served has as retail banking market manager in St. Louis and regional manager in the Northern Virginia region before being named executive vice president and retail market manager for the Chicago–Wisconsin markets. Under her leadership, the bank achieved double-digit growth and created highly engaged, customer-focused teams. She excels at sales management—particularly in key growth markets, where she creates and develops local strategies for business development and community-based initiatives that support financial education.
Ina spent many of her 27 years in the banking business with Washington Mutual Bank in Southern California. When Washington Mutual entered the Chicago region, she was selected as a regional manager to help launch one of the largest market entries in banking history. In less than 36 months, the bank’s retail team successfully opened 167 new locations in Chicago.
“Take control of your career and help others achieve their goals.”
“Being a woman in my profession has been rewarding,” said Ina, “as I have an opportunity to do what I love every day. I am fortunate to be able to inspire, coach, develop and mentor employees to achieve their aspirations. As my team is committed to helping our customers achieve financial well-being, I also feel that my work is meaningful.”
Her participation in various community initiatives include her current role on the board of directors of All Chicago, an organization that provides immediate resources with long-term housing solutions to help people in need of housing and those trying to keep their homes. Ina also partnered with community and nonprofit organization leaders to conduct financial education workshops. The program gives PNC the opportunity to work with faith leaders and other strategic partners in Chicago communities to promote financial education and financial well-being.
Her community outreach leadership efforts have earned several service awards, including Community Reinvestment Act recognition for outstanding work in the South Central communities of Los Angeles and Chicago.
Education: Majored in Business Administration, California State University-Dominguez Hills and graduated from the University of Washington Pacific Coast Graduate School of Banking.
First Job: High School Intern – Bank Teller
What I’m Reading: “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg and Neil Scovell
Words I live by: “If we want more as leaders, we have to become more.”
The most important quality a woman leader should have is…
…objectivity. Female leaders need to be assertive, persuasive and collaborative. These qualities create a leadership style that is transparent, forthcoming and inclusive and that supports consensus building.
The career advice I’d give my former self:
Don’t be afraid. Take more risk and make bolder moves. Encourage yourself to learn and grow and always be open to feedback. Take control of your career and help others achieve their goal.
The one thing I’d do differently in my career, knowing what I know now, is…
…I would have understood earlier in my career that everyone has his or her own journey and that circumstances don’t define who you are. I now know to honor what is possible, to have faith in myself and to believe in my ability to succeed.
When I really need to focus on a project, I…
…retreat to my office or a quiet space where I can think.
My biggest career leap (and what I learned from it) was…
…a promotion required me to relocate from the west coast to the mid-west. The social, cultural and economic differences that I encountered both in my new role and in my new home forced me to reevaluate my leadership style and my priorities.
Being a woman in my profession has been…
…rewarding, as I have an opportunity to do what I love every day. I am fortunate to be able to inspire, coach, develop and mentor employees to achieve their aspirations. As my team is committed to helping our customers achieve financial well-being, I also feel that my work is meaningful.
I’ve learned that failure is…
…an opportunity for growth.
I maintain a healthy personal life by…
…maintaining a healthy work/life balance. I regularly find time to spend with family and friends and constantly reevaluate my priorities.
I knew my present career was what I wanted to do when…
…I saw the impact that financial planning, advice, and education can have on others.
