|
Leading Financial Change at Native American Bank: Meet Veronica Lane
Join us as we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of Native American and Alaska Native peoples. Together, let's work towards a future where Indigenous voices are heard, honored, and amplified.
Veronica Lane is a seasoned financial professional with a proven track record in the banking industry. As Vice President, Interim Chief Lending Officer, and Marketing Director, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role, overseeing loan origination, portfolio management, and marketing and communications for Native American Bank, N.A. Veronica is dedicated to fostering strong client relationships and driving sustainable growth for the organization.
What is your personal/professional story?
I was born and raised on the New Mexico side of the Navajo Reservation, in a community called Tohlakai, which is an English-written Navajo word that translates to "White Water." As a Diné woman, I am from the Black Streaked Wood People and was born for the Deer Springs Clan. My maternal grandparents are the Salt Water Clan, and my paternal grandparents are the Many Goats Clan.
In my culture, it's important for us to introduce ourselves with our Navajo clans when speaking to others so that we may greet any relatives who may be present. I personally do this to be respectful of my culture, my elders, and my family.
I come from a close-knit traditional Navajo family, so I am fortunate to have grown up surrounded by my traditional culture and Diné community. My family and community are the primary foundations that have provided me with the passion and drive to pursue my dreams; yet they also keep me tied and connected to my roots. After leaving home to continue my education and career, I continue to realize time and again how fortunate I am as an Indigenous person to have these unique lived experiences, and how they make me who I am.
I attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Entrepreneurship and a Small Business Management minor. I then went on to work in the finance industry, where I worked for various companies ranging from a start-up wealth management firm to a Fortune 500 company. I then attended the University of Denver to receive my Master of Business Administration Degree with a Finance concentration.
Currently, I'm the Interim Chief Lending Officer and Marketing Director at Native American Bank, N.A. (NAB) in Denver, Colorado. I currently have the privilege to work for a mission-focused financial institution that serves my Native American community on a national level, which is very fulfilling. I'm passionate about the work we do at the bank and know that my future professional career will be working to serve Indian Country.
I also have been fortunate to find a professional career where I get to work for and with my community daily. When I tell people what I do for a living, and I say I'm a "banker," I always follow up by saying that I'm one of the good ones because NAB is a mission-driven bank that was created to be a financial institution for Indian Country. I understand the everyday challenges of our customers and the special nuances they navigate while doing work for their communities. It's a great feeling knowing that your work positively impacts various Native communities across the country.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
Growing up on the reservation and being surrounded by all facets of my community for the first 18 years of my life is really what drives me to do the service work I do, whether it's for my volunteer work or the work I do at Native American Bank. Having the lived experiences and deep connections to my community, even after leaving and living away from home for several years, is the continued reinforcement that provides the drive for me to do as much work to help support, uplift, and create meaningful impacts in my daily life that aim to serve a bigger purpose than just personal or professional success.
I've had the opportunity to serve on the Board for Native-led organizations in various capacities where I helped by utilizing my financial knowledge and skills. The organizations I've supported through volunteer work for the most part have centered on my Native community, but my passion lies in supporting our Native youth on their path to help them succeed in whatever they are aiming to do. For a few years, I created an alumni scholarship fund and organized a donation campaign to award graduating senior(s) from my alma mater high school in New Mexico.
The goal of this fund is to acknowledge the successes that those of us have had and who would like to give back, to support students from our community.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
The first was when my dad came into my mom's life and mine, when I was eight years old. Up to that point, my home life had not been steady or consistent, but he brought stability for my mom and I and started us on a different life trajectory. When looking back at my young life and what could have been (in a not-so-good way), I am forever thankful he did not shy away from dating a woman who came with an attachment (a really adorable one too, I might add, lol). I will always give him credit for where I am today; my success is his success.
The second is when I left my family and community for the first time for an extended period when I was 14 years old. It was to spend my summer break with family and friends near Denver, Colorado. I was leaving everything I was familiar and comfortable with, and quite frankly, going into a world that was completely unknown to me. I remember being excited, but also very nervous and scared. The two months I spent in Colorado opened my eyes to a world and possibilities that I never imagined could be my reality one day. Upon returning home from that summer, I began challenging myself and set lofty goals, like being a first-generation college graduate. I was excited about what the future held.
How Can GlobalMindED help you with your goals?
My passion for fostering global understanding and creating a more interconnected world drives my commitment to partnering with like-minded organizations like GlobalMindED. I believe that by working together, we can amplify our impact and achieve greater collective good.
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be featured by GlobalMindED. I really hope you enjoyed learning about my story and what drives me to partner with like-minded organizations like yours! Ahéhee' (Thank You)!
| 
