LaToya M. Smith (CBB 2018)
Vice President of Talent Acquisition, Fifth Third Bank
What have you accomplished – or helped others accomplish?
Professionally, I have been promoted from Assistant VP of Talent Acquisition to VP of Talent Acquisition at Fifth Third Bank. At Fifth Third, we pride ourselves on our community involvement. In 1948, we became the first financial institution in the US to establish a charitable foundation. My community work centers around investing in others. With the help of community partners, I have been able to help facilitate courses for women through a new reentry program at Northeast Reintegration Center, called “I’m Coming Home”, it’s a partnership with Cuyahoga Community College and Women in Transition. The goal is to increase job placement and decrease recidivism. Helping women get a second chance in life is what I am most passionate about.
News 5 Cleveland highlighted LaToya’s work with “I’m Coming Home.” See the spotlight >
What are you proud of?
I’m most proud of my work helping women who are able to successfully reintegrate into the NEO community after prison.
How did CLC contribute to that success?
CBB helped restore my civic pride in the NEO community by connecting me to exceptional leaders, change-makers and organizations. The sessions showed me more to the Cleveland community. I was so impacted by the partnerships and the growth and learned so much about collaborative leadership, resources and human capital. I use these lessons in my professional and civic work.
How have you changed since then as it relates to the community?
CBB helped me to look at organizational challenges from multiple perspectives and encouraged me to lean into my discomfort by using my voice to question policies, procedures, and strategies.
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