BARBARA ROZGONYI的动态

I was a private banker Aiming to be an investment banker, until... I got a taste of the true nature of Corporate America. I worked at Wells Fargo, Citibank, and First Republic Bank, serving as a business and private banker for high net worth folks. These people taught me a lot - the real worth of value, the art of hustle, discipline, and chasing what you truly desire. But, man, was I miserable in the corporate world! My days were like a broken record. Waking up at 4 am, getting ready for work, taking care of personal stuff, and finally getting to the office by 9 am. Lunch break at noon, usually with clients, which felt more like work. Then, clocking out at 5 pm, heading to happy hours with clients, and carrying over work for the next day. This exhausting routine went on for a grueling four years. I desperately wanted out. Everyday I showed up to work, I was losing part of myself and my soul. I often found myself irritable and aggressive towards others. I was your typical banker, always on the hunt for the next big commission and bonus check and always about ME and what could I gain. Looking back, there are three things I wish I had done differently during my Corporate America days: 1.I wish I had spent more time on personal development, diving into leadership and business books. 2.I wish I had hung out more with folks who were not just fun, but also meaningful and impactful to be around. 3.I wish I had gambled a bit more on starting businesses. Instead of wasting time at pointless happy hour gatherings, I should've been building my own empire after work. Sure, I carry these regrets, but I'm also thankful for the journey. It's been a great teacher, giving me lessons in life and business that are priceless. It taught me the true meaning of never giving up and the promise that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Can you

Self-awareness helps you reach your full potential by allowing you to recognize your strengths, weaknesses, and unique abilities, so you can make intentional choices that align with your goals.

I was a private banker Aiming to be an investment banker, until... I got a taste of the true nature of Corporate America. I worked at Wells Fargo, Citibank, and First Republic Bank, serving as a business and private banker for high net worth folks. These people taught me a lot - the real worth of value, the art of hustle, discipline, and chasing what you truly desire. But, man, was I miserable in the corporate world! My days were like a broken record. Waking up at 4 am, getting ready for work, taking care of personal stuff, and finally getting to the office by 9 am. Lunch break at noon, usually with clients, which felt more like work. Then, clocking out at 5 pm, heading to happy hours with clients, and carrying over work for the next day. This exhausting routine went on for a grueling four years. I desperately wanted out. Everyday I showed up to work, I was losing part of myself and my soul. I often found myself irritable and aggressive towards others. I was your typical banker, always on the hunt for the next big commission and bonus check and always about ME and what could I gain. Looking back, there are three things I wish I had done differently during my Corporate America days: 1.I wish I had spent more time on personal development, diving into leadership and business books. 2.I wish I had hung out more with folks who were not just fun, but also meaningful and impactful to be around. 3.I wish I had gambled a bit more on starting businesses. Instead of wasting time at pointless happy hour gatherings, I should've been building my own empire after work. Sure, I carry these regrets, but I'm also thankful for the journey. It's been a great teacher, giving me lessons in life and business that are priceless. It taught me the true meaning of never giving up and the promise that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Can you relate?

Time truly flies! Last month marked my third anniversary at Southern Bancorp. Our team has grown, evolved, and accomplished so much—it's amazing to look back and see how far we've come. A few favorites from the last three years: ? 9 branch grand openings: From ideation to execution, I had the privilege of contributing to the launch of new branches that are helping to bring financial services to more communities. ?? Free tax preparation: Last year, we filed over 4,000 taxes for free—such a rewarding initiative! And we're gearing up to do it all over again starting January 21. ?? Las Vegas and Financial Brand Forum: I had the opportunity to attend and learn from some of the best in the financial services industry. ?? Company-wide culture building: Helped plan and attend a 2-day conference focused on strengthening our growing team and company culture. ?? Building relationships: I've had the pleasure of connecting with so many talented professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. ?? The journey of growth: From successes to challenges, I’ve had the opportunity to fail, learn, and grow alongside an incredible team. Here's to 2025!?

?? How Many "Next Years" Will You Wait??? You’ve given everything—your time, your energy, your expertise. You’ve sacrificed evenings with family, weekends with friends, and moments that mattered. And yet, when it’s time for recognition, all you hear is: "Next year." "We’ll make it right next year." "Trust us—next year will be different." It stings, doesn’t it? That empty promise. That hollow assurance. I know because I’ve been there. Fifteen years in the sell-side trenches—7 at Credit Suisse, 8 at Merrill Lynch—I’ve heard the same lines, and every time, they felt like a gut punch. The truth is, next year is rarely about you. It’s a stall, a delay, a way to keep you on the hook while the clock ticks away. Meanwhile, your career, your goals, and your sense of worth are put on hold. But here’s the thing: you deserve better. You deserve to be valued today, not deferred to someday. If you’re tired of feeling overlooked, undervalued, and unheard, let’s talk. I help sell-side directors break free from the “next year” cycle and find roles that recognize their worth—roles that honor their hard work and reward their sacrifices. ?? Your next move is just a conversation away. Message me today, because you’ve waited long enough. https://zurl.co/KftVE #CareerCoach #SellSideDirectors #TakeControl #EmotionalImpact

Celebrating 25 Years in the Financial Industry As I mark a significant milestone in my career—25 years in the financial industry—I reflect on the relationships that have shaped not only my journey but also my approach to this business. In a world driven by numbers and market trends, it has been the people—clients, colleagues, and mentor—that have truly made the difference. Throughout the years, I've weathered many of the industry's defining moments, from the dot-com bubble and 9/11 to the collapse of Enron, Lehman Brothers, the 2008 financial crisis, and the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. During these turbulent times, the key to enduring the volatility wasn't just about having the right market strategies, but about being there for people—listening, advising, and reassuring them that we were in it together. What I've learned through these experiences is that relationships are the foundation of any successful career in finance. It's easy to call when markets are up, but true trust and connection are built during the tough times. The simple act of staying on the phone, of reaching out to clients—whether they were up or down—reminded them that we were always thinking of them, no matter what the markets were doing. I’m also deeply grateful to the mentor and my colleagues who have guided me along the way. Their wisdom taught me that success is not about the quickest win but about honesty, integrity, and doing what's right for clients over the long term. The best way to earn trust is not by chasing immediate profits, but by consistently delivering value and maintaining transparency, no matter the challenges. To my clients, thank you for the trust you've placed in me over the years. To my colleagues, especially my partner, Kathrine Calahan, thank you for your collaboration and support. And to my mentor, your guidance has shaped my career and my values, and I’m forever grateful. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing and strengthening these relationships—because at the end of the day, it's the people we meet along the way who truly define our success. Here’s to the next 25 years! #25Years #Anniversary #FinancialIndustry #Honesty #Trust #ClientFirst #Grateful #Hereditaswealth #wealthmanagement

"During our careers, we have all witnessed the symptoms of poor vision and/or lack of specifics in communicating vision." David Hicks, a bank advisor and consultant at David Hicks, LLC, dives into the art of understanding the vision of one's work. Read the story here: bit.ly/4fKjjHt #StrongBanks #StrongerCommunities

We are very excited to announce the appointment of Ronaldo Hardy as our new Chief Executive Officer. Ronaldo brings decades of financial service experience, visionary leadership, and an inspiring personal mission: “To change the world by building the people who will change the world.” “My career in financial services has been an incredibly transformative journey, and I am very excited to join BALANCE at such a pivotal moment. As our nation grapples with evolving challenges, politics and socio-economic status aside, families across the country need support more than ever. BALANCE is poised to meet that moment, delivering critical resources, financial education and housing support that will alter the trajectories of countless lives. For me, this is purpose work. When I was growing up, my family, like many others, faced some financial challenges; I experienced firsthand how difficult that can be. Prioritizing financial wellness has been a cornerstone of my career—disrupting poverty, keeping families together, and creating lasting impact in communities nationwide. It’s the natural next step for me to embark on this journey with BALANCE to empower new generations and build a brighter, more equitable future.” Ronaldo’s career reflects his dedication to fostering innovation, collaboration, and empowerment. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of the National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations (NACUSO), where he spearheaded initiatives to scale solutions through partnerships with CUSOs and Fintechs, driving forward the credit union industry’s collaborative potential. Before that, he led CU Strategic Planning’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIBA) services, proving that comprehensive DEIBA strategies significantly enhance organizational performance and employee satisfaction. As the former CEO of Southwest Louisiana Credit Union, Ronaldo’s leadership produced remarkable outcomes, including CDFI certification, an FA award, and a sustained record of financial performance. These achievements underscore his ability to lead organizations toward mission-driven success while delivering measurable results. Ronaldo is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, having shared his insights at premier industry events such as CUNA Management School, CUES, and the NCUA’s inaugural Diversity Summit. His thought leadership has been featured in prominent publications, including Credit Union Journal, CU Times, and Credit Union Magazine.

?? What makes this event special? ?? It's time for Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan next "Invest in Your Success" event. This is easily one of my favourite things that my team does. This is why I look forward to this event so much: ?? Hearing from our *All-Star* panel, moderated by the wonderful Melanie Bodi. These senior leaders will share how they built confidence throughout their career - and how you can too! ?? Sharing our office space with you! We'll be running tours at the start of the event. Get a taste for what it feels like to come to have 160 Front Street as your workplace. ?? Resume roasts - receive feedback from a living, breathing recruiter on how to make your application stand out! And the best part of all? ? Real conversations? It's tough standing out at a networking event when you're one of 20 students to a rep. We deliberately keep the ratio of students to reps low so that you can have an actual conversation, and the time to make a solid impression without feeling crowded or rushed. Don't wait, register today using this link: https://ow.ly/5EkS50UOA6V _________________________________________________________________________________ Follow me for internship and early talent opportunities, resume tips, networking pointers, and practical advice for landing a job early in your career. Zara Jiwa Shirin Salehi #recruitment #campusrecruiting #coop #internship #earlytalent #networking

Every working parent out there needs to listen to this message from Thasunda Brown Duckett, and really hear it. “Work-life balance” is the wrong formula. “Live your life like a diversified portfolio, with everything you care about in the portfolio.” That makes much more sense to me, and it’s workable. The beauty of it is, you can reallocate over time, and you can even add or subtract items from the portfolio. Wish I had heard this message years ago! #womenleaders #womeninbusiness #leadership