Laila Elhajali - Business Development Officer - Arlington

Women in Leadership Spotlight – Laila Elhajali | Business Development Officer, Arlington

  1. Brief introduction of you and your role.

I currently serve as one of the Business Development Officers in the Arlington market and I’ve been at John Marshall Bank since December 2019. My role is to develop sales strategies to promote our products and services to prospective clients in the business communities and expand referral sources.

I graduated with a degree in Law from the University Hassan II Casablanca in Morocco and then relocated to the United States. For thirteen years, I was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Alexandria. In order to become more involved in the Arlington market that I serve, I transitioned into becoming an active member of the Chamber of Commerce in Arlington.

  1. What led you to the banking profession?

I have been in banking for nearly two decades. I initially started out as a Customer Service Representative and continued to advance in my career. I believe that banking is the backbone of any economy and I am always interested in assisting people from all social and economic backgrounds. I look at my role in banking as a platform for me to provide opportunities to both customers and business owners. 

Who is the most influential woman you know?

My mother is the most influential person to me. She taught me how to respect others and to treat them as I would want to be treated. My mother always told me to face any challenges I had and to stay strong.

  1. What advice do you have for women who want to grow/begin their careers in the finance/banking industry?

My advice to any woman looking to grow in a banking career is to always be yourself and be confident in who you are. The most important aspect of growth is to be coachable and always willing to learn. You must adapt and keep up with all the changes and challenges that come with a career in banking.

  1. What’s one childhood lesson that you still practice to this day?

One childhood lesson that I still practice to this day is simple — if you want to earn respect, you must give respect.

 

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