Managing Director, National Sales Manager, U.S. Personal and Business Banking
Melissa Garcia started in banking in 2009 as an assistant manager at a Wells Fargo branch. A little more than a year later, she joined as a branch manager at BMO Harris Bank and started her ascent through the bank's ranks. She eventually rose to be the head of U.S. business relationship management before being promoted to national sales manager for U.S. personal and business banking in April 2022.
A year earlier, BMO announced that it intended to acquire Bank of the West. The acquisition was completed in February 2023, resulting in a $245.8 billion-asset bank.
As the national sales manager, Garcia is responsible for directing national sales efforts of more than 1,000 retail branches. She and her team of regional sales managers work across more than 70 markets and cross functional departments to drive sales growth across the bank's U.S footprint. Her team guides the creation of strategic sales plans to support BMO's overall and regional sales goals and objectives, which includes driving sales productivity, and creating alignment and consistency around sales campaigns and promotions.
"Melissa models agility and resiliency, and leads by empowering her team, said nominating executive
Internally, Garcia is a member of the bank's task force dedicated to the advancement of Black and Latinx employees. In addition to serving on the task force, Garcia is also a sponsor of BMO's Latino alliance employee resource group, and actively mentors younger colleagues.
Outside of the bank, Garcia has served on the event committee for the March of Dimes Chicago chapter for the past five years and has consistently raised an average of $500,000 annually through corporate sponsorships. In 2021, she was selected as a fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago, a program that brings together promising leaders to tackle the area's most pressing civic issues.
