With a 28 year career in the banking industry, Vice President of First Horizon Bank’s South Asheville Branch Stephanie Lee is used to being the only woman in the room.

Lee’s original career goal was to be a philanthropist working with affluent people to help support housing for low-income or single-parent families. While she was growing her business, she was also helping tutor math students at a recreation center. Another tutor noticed she was good at math and asked her to come work for him, and that person just so happened to be the CEO of a bank.

Originally working in that bank’s retirement and investment services, Lee said her job gave her the satisfaction of helping customers reach their goals as well as a sense of personal success. Loving her work, she earned a security license for investment services and continued along that path, later pivoting to retail banking where she works more directly with individuals to help them achieve their financial success.

“People want to send their kids to college or clean up their credit or retire, and they don’t teach you how to do that in school,” Lee said. “Many people don’t know the right way to calculate interest or pay down their debt or improve their credit, and unless you have a resource to teach you, you’re not going to get it. My work allows me to do that for people.”

Working in banking allows Lee to help people understand their role in their money cycle, as well as how to use it to benefit themselves and their community. She is able to help women and minorities make their dreams of having a better financial balance or have a business come true, saying those goals can’t be accomplished without money.

Though she enjoys her career in this male-dominated industry, Lee said she has often been the only woman in the room and has felt as if she is not being heard.

“I’m there, but I’ve sometimes felt like no one is really listening to me,” Lee said. “There were often no minorities in the room either, so I had two challenges there. I have to make a point to do my research, studying and preparing to show up and use the knowledge that I have because I do have something to say, and I do want to be heard.”

Lee said within the variety of segments of banking, some tend to be more male-dominated than others. Many deals are often made on the golf course, and though she has the experience and the knowledge to help businesses keep growing, she doesn’t get invited.

“I don’t play golf so I wouldn’t be a good partner, but I still want to be recognized for the skills I can bring to the table,” Lee said. “I can make just as good a deal over lunch, in a meeting room, or in any other setting as my male counterparts. It’s a little disheartening when this happens, but the challenge ultimately makes me rise even more to the occasion with the drive to really show who I am and what I can do.”

Bringing so much knowledge to the table, Lee will always say something when she has the opportunity to do so. She has rarely left a meeting when someone didn’t say “Wow, you are really smart,” and she often thinks “Well, what were you expecting?” She feels the statement comes from someone being surprised at what she has to say, but she has consistently worked hard to earn each position along her path to Vice President, and deserved to be in each of those roles.

“I still get that comment at least once a week,” Lee said.

Working with First Horizon Bank, Lee has seen more females with banking careers. She said the company has taken a strong stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the company can see the impact that can bring. They can create a stronger team, not wanting a team in which everyone thinks the same way, and that can be really impactful for a community. This was one reason she was attracted to First Horizon — she knew she would be heard. She said it is a great company for women.

With a continued goal of being more front-facing to the community, Lee works to be impactful to young women deciding what to study in school, not wanting them to underestimate the opportunities in finance and business. She also has the opportunity to work in the community to teach women and minorities how to manage their money and grow their business by serving on the board at the Western Women’s Business Center and working with Dr. Hackett at Black Wall Street.

“When I was a kid, I wanted to play the flute, and my music teacher told me I couldn’t because of having the facial features of someone who is a minority,” Lee said. “I came home and told that to my mother, and she said ‘no, you will play the flute’ and ‘don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can’t do.’ She went to a pawn shop and bought me a flute, and I learned to play really well. It was a lesson I’ll never forget, and I’ve never been scared to try anything after that. 

“I love being a role model for my daughter and her friends and other people starting their work,” Lee said. “It’s one thing to hear that anything is possible, and it’s another thing to see it; it’s more impactful to be seen in real life. It’s so rewarding because this influence is happening organically, and it feels really great to be that person.”