Beverly Elam became a banker at the age of 18 when she was hired as a teller for First American Savings and Loan. Since that time, she’s held roles as branch manager, loan officer, loan administration manager, business development manager, and treasury management services director. No matter her title, the thing Elam loves most about being a banker is serving customers. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of knowing I helped someone,” she said. “Whether it’s an individual or a business, it means a lot that people trust me, and I work hard to earn that trust every single day.”
Elam has been working at Chambers Bank for nearly six years, managing business development and treasury services. She was recently promoted to Chief Business Banking Officer, making her the first woman of color to serve on the bank’s executive committee.
“I want to be a great role model, not just for women, but especially for women of color,” Elam said. “I might be the first woman to get this opportunity at Chambers Bank, but I definitely won’t be the last. I want to do whatever I can to help pave the way for others to have a seat at the executive table.”
Elam believes there are more opportunities in banking for women than ever before. “Women are good multi-taskers,” she said. “The things that make us good moms are the same things that make us good bankers: juggling priorities, adapting to change, and having empathy for others.”
As a mom, Elam worked hard to instill good values in her kids. “I’m so proud of both my kids, but in raising my daughter, it was especially important to me to help her understand her worth,” she said. “I always told her to respect herself and to respect others and that she’s capable of accomplishing anything so long as she works hard and is persistent.”
And while her career has continued to advance, the thing that Elam’s most proud of is her family—husband Archie, daughter Haley and son Tre’. “I love my job, my customers and my coworkers, but my greatest goal in life is to be a great mom,” Elam said.