Cogent Bank has a long, rich history of empowering women to advance in their careers and take an active role in mentoring the next generation of bankers. In what used to be a traditionally male-dominated industry, banking and finance are seeing more women rise through the ranks of their institutions. Cogent’s team is comprised of 42% leadership positions being held by women. Cogent amplifies these efforts through its banking centers.
According to Cogent Bank’s Managing Director of Private Banking, Trish Teague and Senior Vice President of Private Banking, Susy Scarlatos, there are few resources as beneficial to women in banking than mentorship and collaboration. The lessons from our mentors and peers are powerful, impactful, insightful and—if you ask Trish and Susy—contagious. Throughout their combined 60 years in banking and finance, the two have garnered a wealth of professional and personal advice from mentors and experience of their own, and they strive to continue this and share the same knowledge with their own team today. Trish and Susy counsel their team and young professionals on how to advocate for themselves, deliver unparalleled performance and strike a balance between work and life while still driving exceptional results.
Together, they oversee a team of four comprised entirely of businesswomen in Cogent’s Winter Park banking center. There, the two have established and maintained a work culture that nourishes growth, inclusivity, and kindness for their team members. “Treating peers with kindness and respect, regardless of status or position, is a message I always try to impart,” said Susy. “Trish and I have an open-door policy and will always lend an ear to our team of amazing women. No idea, question or concern goes unheard, which is something we feel is essential to personal growth.” These are sentiments that ring true throughout Cogent’s entire footprint as well, as evidenced by a strong history of internal promotions and impressive associate retention. Trish and Susy understand the importance of empowering women at all levels and providing the tools and resources needed to continue growing in their careers.
Influential business leaders and mentors in their own right, they also remain insistent on the value of community service—a core value instilled in them by their shared former mentor. “Volunteer work is a core value throughout Cogent Bank,” said Trish, who serves as treasurer for iBuild of Central Florida and an active volunteer for the Victory Cup Initiative, among several other acts of community service. “When speaking with our team about their goals for career growth and development, I’ll always reinforce the value of giving back to the community, which is something our team has taken to exceptionally.” Trish does this and more, going the extra mile by bringing members of her team to nonprofit and community events in the Orlando area—the same way her mentor once introduced her. Career advice from seasoned professionals like Trish and Susy is invaluable and provides the tools they need to thrive.
Cogent is proud to employ so many powerful and impactful women throughout its entire footprint. Trish and Susy are two of the bank’s many female leaders who are blazing trails for future generations of women to follow. While March provides a platform to celebrate the incredible achievements and success of women across the globe, Cogent takes things a step further by investing in the women who will shape tomorrow through mentorship, teamwork, and camaraderie all year long.
