EVP, Head of Branch Banking, SunTrust Banks
Debbie Crowder heads SunTrust Banks’ most high-profile business line — its branch network — and she takes seriously the position she is in to improve the lives of both employees and the customers and communities they serve.
Recognizing that many branch employees weren’t being promoted or were struggling in new roles, Crowder a few years ago created a leadership-development program geared primarily toward staff at SunTrust’s more than 1,200 branches in 10 states and the District of Columbia.
The five-day, off-site program, led by senior SunTrust employees as well as outside instructors, is designed to enhance knowledge of the bank’s products, services and mission and help midlevel managers in particular engage and inspire their direct reports.
This and other leadership development programs in which Crowder is actively involved helped earn her a prestigious “culture champion” award last year from BI Worldwide, a consulting firm that works with large companies to help improve customer and employee loyalty.
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Crowder, who oversees all retail banking and wealth management activities distributed through branches, is equally passionate about making a positive difference in the markets served by the $208 billion-asset SunTrust.
She was the driving force behind the development and creation of the SunTrust Financial Confidence Center in Memphis, Tenn., where area residents can receive one-on-one advice and counseling on a range of financial issues, from money management to homeownership to starting and growing a business, at no charge and with no obligation to bank with SunTrust.
The center, developed in partnership with the nonprofit Operation Hope, has served roughly 10,000 clients since it opened in August 2017.
This determination to “effect positive change” has long been part of her DNA, but Crowder says she has been leading with a “renewed purpose” since her husband of 40 years died of cancer last year.
“When you experience a life-altering tragedy, you become acutely aware of what matters,” she said. “You also learn that we all have a brief window of time to make a difference.”
