Episode 13: “Leaving a Legacy”- Alandes Powell

This week's Leadership Tidbits with Coach Tee Wilson features Alandes Powell. 

 Alandes Powell recently joined Fifth Third Bank in October 2018 responsible for Controls supporting the various Lines of Business in Operations. Alandes formerly served as Senior Vice-President and Director at Citi Cards, a division of Citigroup. She was responsible for the strategic development and oversight of a Portfolio within Cards Retail Services. Mrs. Powell has over 30 years of experience in the financial services arena. She also served as Director of Collection’s Program Management Group where she directed initiatives supporting 13 sites and eight lines of business impacting over 3.5 million customers. She has held a number of positions at Citi including; Unit Manager, Trainer and Sr. Project Manager. 

Alandes is an active member of the community serving in a number of capacities over the years to include: Urban League of Southwestern Ohio Board of Directors, Past Chair of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati Advisory Board, YWCA Board of Directors, Brighton Center Board of Directors, Assistant Director of a youth sports organization, Elder Board of Inspirational Baptist Church, Motivational Speaker for Adults and High School students and Prior Co-Chair of the Academic Scholarship Committee at Triumph Church. She is a graduate of Leadership Northern Kentucky, Urban Leadership Program, and member-alumna of Leadership Cincinnati Class 41. Alandes currently serves as Board Chair of the Greater Southwestern Ohio Urban League and was the recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement in 2013 and Cincinnati Enquirer/Greater Cincinnati Foundation Woman of the Year in 2018.

 A native of Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Powell attended Fort Valley University an HBCU located in Fort Valley, GA. Mrs. Powell from the very start of the show was ready to inspire. She explained how important her seat at the table was not only to her, but to all of those who will come after her. For all you leaders out there, Mrs. Powell cautions you with the advice, “The worst thing a leader can do is play the victim.” She then continued with letting us know how important it is to authentically be yourself in whatever field you are in. “Everyone does not get to go on your professional journey with you.” Mrs. Powell continued to explain that everything you do everyday is leadership. If you have any sort of leadership quality, you are always leading by example, with or without a title attached to your name. 

Overall, Ms. Powell gave us tons of amazing leadership tidbits. Here are a few to remember: Treat people the way you would want your loved ones to be treated, find time to just do you, have a great core group of friends you can trust, tell people no (politely), study harder than the person next to you, be open to change and fall in love with feedback. Lastly, give grace to people, stay in the present, and never let anyone make you do something that makes you question your integrity. 

Check out the full podcast to hear more of Alandes Powell’s thoughts and leadership advice!!