emily abbas
Class of 2005
SVP, chief marketing and communications officer, Bankers Trust
What advice would you give to young people who want to make an impact?
It’s been my experience that the greatest opportunity for impact is through community volunteerism. Get involved in several organizations and immerse yourself in learning, serving and discovering two things: what you are passionate about and where can your time and talents make the biggest difference. One caution: Volunteerism is so rewarding that it’s easy to overcommit and spread yourself too thin. At some point it’s best to choose a couple of organizations that are the best fit for you and give them your all. You’ll be able to develop a deeper relationship, gain leadership experience and truly have an impact.
Knowing what you know now, what’s one thing you’d tell your younger self as you start your career?
I wish I had known how important it is to calibrate your own pace to that of your organization. As an eager and impatient young professional, I often was successful due to my ability to achieve results quickly. Then I came to realize that while results were important, there was a greater value in helping others share their best thinking, do their best work and be part of creating something bigger together, even if it took longer. After all, it’s better to have the best possible outcome with everyone on board rather than rush to the finish line by yourself.
What’s one of your accomplishments you are most proud of, and why?
Like other Forty Under 40 honorees, I have a long list of accomplishments, results and awards. But there is one accomplishment that I hold above all others, and that is my Marketing and Communications Team at Bankers Trust. Together we’re creating a dynamic team of adaptable utility players thanks to cross-training and a focus on professional development. We also emphasize succession planning to ensure that even if someone is promoted, goes to another part of the bank or leaves, we know we have a solid go-forward plan. The team is talented, diverse, highly engaged and they are why I love to go to work each and every day.
Class of 2005
Emily Abbas
Vitus Bering
Joan Bindel
Max Cardenas
Wendy Chmelka
Jake Christensen
Brendan Comito
Chet Culver
Douglas Dieck
Lisa Dreyer
Donna Grant Paulsen
Steve Hauschilt
Charles (Chick) Herbert
Barb Hildebrandt
Tom Hunt
Ross Johnson
Chris Kramer
Jim Langin
Kathy Leggett
Andria Macias-Costillo
John Michel
Todd Millang
Donna Miller
Rebecca Moomey
Matthew Mouw
Christian Murray
Robert Myers
Kerty Nilsson Levy
Anthony Oberman
Amy Peters
Marshall Porter
Kelly Prey
Brian Rickert
Michael Sadler
Curtis Stamp
Heidi Wessels
Anne Whatley
Michael Whitsell
Maria Wittern
Siobhan Workman