Jill Valentini

What’s your current position? How long have you been in this position? Can you give me a brief overview of what it is you do in your work?

 I have been a part of Fidelity Bank for 14 years overall, and held my new position as Vice President, Regional Retail Sales Manager, for about 6 months.  I am responsible for the oversight of 15 branch administration sales teams in Lackawanna and Luzerne County, ensuring we are providing engaging and memorable experiences to all clients, internal service partners and through community interactions as well.

 What would you say most motivates you to do the work you do? What are you most passionate about?

    My motivation comes from a strong desire to grow in my professional career, while allowing room to continue to be a productive support to the community.  Banking is evolving, and I am fascinated to be a part of that change.  I am most passionate that my career allows for me to be a mentor to our Retail Bankers. Developing a strong team of bankers and seeing them grow into trusted financial advisors for their clients, is truly a rewarding part of my work. I am very fortunate that my career allows for me to be a financial coach the families and businesses in my immediate community, as well. 

 Where did you grow up and did you go to a college/trade school after high school? Where did you go, and what was that like? How did you end up in NEPA?

I grew up in the military, moving to a new area almost every three years. This encompassed Germany, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey and New York.  In every move, I had the opportunity to meet new people, start new friendships, and learn about the community around me. This was such an invaluable gift to me, as I was able to see Europe and most of the southern US and eastern coast of the US.  When my father retired from the Army in 1995, our family moved back “home” to Northeast Pa, which is where I have been ever since. I attended Valley View High School and went to Penn State.  I have been fortunate in my life to be a part of a variety of communities, depending on where I was living.  Being able to not just watch and accept what happens around me, but take part in active changing of things for the better our community, allows me to feel like I am helping make our city, town, county a better place for my family thrive in.    

 Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are? Tell a bit about them and what they did that influenced you.

This is a tough question, as I truly believe that everyone that comes into our life is there to teach us something valuable, even if those lessons are tough.  If I had to narrow it down to a specific person(s), I would say the most significant role models in my life, have been my parents. My father served his country for twenty years, and taught me selflessness,  and how working toward the greater good, far outweighs self-serving mindset.  My mother’s strong dedication to her faith, family, and endless love and support, have truly shown me what compassion is, and on my most challenging days, I aspire to be like her, and exhibit the faith and love she has shown me, and it helps me through.

How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna? In what class year and program did you participate? Describe your experience. How did the program affect you post-graduation? What has your involvement with leadership Lackawanna been post-graduation?

I learned about Leadership Lackawanna from one of my coworkers at Fidelity in 2014.  I applied and was accepted into the Core Program and graduated in 2015.  While I was on track in my career for a leadership position within the organization, my time in the Core program really taught me the leadership lessons that don’t always come in a workshop or book.  Working to fundraise in partnership with nonprofit to roll out a completed project in a 10-month time frame, with a very diverse group of people, really challenged me.  Overseeing a project, from start to finish – and all the lessons that came with it, from development, marketing, budgeting, presenting, and finally the completed project was a tremendous journey. 

 While I was in the core program, I was very focused on ensuring the success and completion of the project.  It wasn’t until about 6 months after I went through the program did, I start to draw on experiences I learned, and apply them to my career, that is when I had the “Ah-ha” moment this is what I went through this program for!  Working with a diverse team, and motivating them, or coaching them specifically to their personality or comfort, not just my own management style was a game changer!  Knowing that even if I am not a marketing person within my organization, or the accountant in my organization, doesn’t mean I don’t own the understanding that we are all very strong pieces that make the train go was so important in developing my internal relationships, coming at things from a more compassionate view. 

I have been on the Board of Directors of Leadership Lackawanna since my graduation from Core Class in 2015.  I have served two, three-year terms, and am in my seventh year of service to the organization.  I am currently in my second year as Board, and look forward to being an active Leadership Lackawanna Alumni when my board term ends in 2022. 

 I have been a part of Fidelity Bank for 14 years overall, and held my new position as Vice President, Regional Retail Sales Manager, for about 6 months.  I am responsible for the oversight of 15 branch administration sales teams in Lackawanna and Luzerne County, ensuring we are providing engaging and memorable experiences to all clients, internal service partners and through community interactions as well.

 What would you say most motivates you to do the work you do? What are you most passionate about?

    My motivation comes from a strong desire to grow in my professional career, while allowing room to continue to be a productive support to the community.  Banking is evolving, and I am fascinated to be a part of that change.  I am most passionate that my career allows for me to be a mentor to our Retail Bankers. Developing a strong team of bankers and seeing them grow into trusted financial advisors for their clients, is truly a rewarding part of my work. I am very fortunate that my career allows for me to be a financial coach the families and businesses in my immediate community, as well. 

 Where did you grow up and did you go to a college/trade school after high school? Where did you go, and what was that like? How did you end up in NEPA?

I grew up in the military, moving to a new area almost every three years. This encompassed Germany, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey and New York.  In every move, I had the opportunity to meet new people, start new friendships, and learn about the community around me. This was such an invaluable gift to me, as I was able to see Europe and most of the southern US and eastern coast of the US.  When my father retired from the Army in 1995, our family moved back “home” to Northeast Pa, which is where I have been ever since. I attended Valley View High School and went to Penn State.  I have been fortunate in my life to be a part of a variety of communities, depending on where I was living.  Being able to not just watch and accept what happens around me, but take part in active changing of things for the better our community, allows me to feel like I am helping make our city, town, county a better place for my family thrive in.    

 Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are? Tell a bit about them and what they did that influenced you.

This is a tough question, as I truly believe that everyone that comes into our life is there to teach us something valuable, even if those lessons are tough.  If I had to narrow it down to a specific person(s), I would say the most significant role models in my life, have been my parents. My father served his country for twenty years, and taught me selflessness,  and how working toward the greater good, far outweighs self-serving mindset.  My mother’s strong dedication to her faith, family, and endless love and support, have truly shown me what compassion is, and on my most challenging days, I aspire to be like her, and exhibit the faith and love she has shown me, and it helps me through.

How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna? In what class year and program did you participate? Describe your experience. How did the program affect you post-graduation? What has your involvement with leadership Lackawanna been post-graduation?

I learned about Leadership Lackawanna from one of my coworkers at Fidelity in 2014.  I applied and was accepted into the Core Program and graduated in 2015.  While I was on track in my career for a leadership position within the organization, my time in the Core program really taught me the leadership lessons that don’t always come in a workshop or book.  Working to fundraise in partnership with nonprofit to roll out a completed project in a 10-month time frame, with a very diverse group of people, really challenged me.  Overseeing a project, from start to finish – and all the lessons that came with it, from development, marketing, budgeting, presenting, and finally the completed project was a tremendous journey. 

 While I was in the core program, I was very focused on ensuring the success and completion of the project.  It wasn’t until about 6 months after I went through the program did, I start to draw on experiences I learned, and apply them to my career, that is when I had the “Ah-ha” moment this is what I went through this program for!  Working with a diverse team, and motivating them, or coaching them specifically to their personality or comfort, not just my own management style was a game changer!  Knowing that even if I am not a marketing person within my organization, or the accountant in my organization, doesn’t mean I don’t own the understanding that we are all very strong pieces that make the train go was so important in developing my internal relationships, coming at things from a more compassionate view. 

I have been on the Board of Directors of Leadership Lackawanna since my graduation from Core Class in 2015.  I have served two, three-year terms, and am in my seventh year of service to the organization.  I am currently in my second year as Board, and look forward to being an active Leadership Lackawanna Alumni when my board term ends in 2022.