Commerce Bank – UFSC-GKC

Corporate Ambassador

An ambassador is a person who acts as a representative or promoter of UFSC-GKC. Every individual or business who participates in the ambassador program understands the vision and mission of UFSC-GKC’s and work as agents of partnership and change. Ambassadors work to connect donors and supporters by posting on social media, networking, speaking at public or virtual events about the UFSC-GKC mission.

Robbin Caldwell

Robbin Caldwell is a Corporate Trainer for the Global Learning and Development Department with U.S. Bank where she has worked for over 5 years. She is Share Director of the Global Black Heritage Business Resource Group where she facilitates, enhances and merges corporate and social connections within and outside of U.S. Bank. Robbin is passionate about the value of every voice and the importance of financial education for all ages.

Tracy Rainge

Tracy is a Program Director and Community Engagement Officer with Central Bank of the Midwest, which entails heading the Prosper U program within the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Prior to joining Central Bank of the Midwest, Tracy held the title of, Global Recruiting Project Team Lead with McKinsey & Company; the trusted advisor and counselor to many of the world’s most influential businesses and institutions.

Tracy has worked in the Financial Services industry for many years as she was with U.S. Bank for seven years and DST – Boston Financial Data Services for over eight years. Tracy held various leadership titles including Operations Manager with both U.S. Bank and DST-BFDS.

Tracy graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University with a Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management. During her schooling, she became intrigued with the HR side of her studies which ultimately led her to a career in Talent/HR.

Tracy has a passion for helping others to thrive and grow. She served on the U.S. Bank Development Network Board for several years and led various events including, the Kansas City Metropolitan area’s first Black History Cultural Awareness Event. She was also the Co-Lead for several Women’s Empowerment Events.

Tracy became a member of the UFSC-GKC Executive Board in 2018 and served as the Co-Chair of Resource and Development. She also chaired the annual fundraising Golf Tournament for three years and was able to raise money to award scholarships for each year she served. In 2021 Tracy moved into the Vice President of Programs role with UFSC-GKC. As the program chair, she hosted several key empowerment sessions focused on career pathing, growth, and development. In January of 2022, Tracy moved into the UFSC-GKC local chapter Presidency role.

Anissa Brown

Anissa joined the banking industry in 1999. She serves as a Business Development Manager with Academy Bank. Anissa advocates for the community and her clients to ensure they are informed and empowered to reach their financial goals. She has been recognized for her community service and has received exemplary performance awards throughout her career. Prior to joining Academy Bank, Anissa held managerial roles at U.S. Bank, UMB, and Regions Bank. Anissa received her Master’s degree in Business Management from Baker University, Baldwin City, KS. She is also an alum of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA where she earned her BS in Psychology.

Adriana Fields

Adriana Fields has served 11 years in the financial services industry; she is an AVP/Loan Review Analyst III with Academy Bank. Prior to joining Academy Bank, she worked for UMB Bank for 7 years serving in various roles as a Senior Commercial Credit Analyst, Senior Post-Closing Review Analyst, and a Senior Construction Monitoring Analyst. Adriana earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and minor in Real Estate from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. In 2020, Adriana earned her BAI Loan Review Certification. Adriana is a participant in Academy Bank’s Leadership Legacy Program and member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Enterprise Priority Committee. Additionally, she is a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS where she serves on various committees and auxiliaries.

LaDonna Ali

LaDonna Ali is a Community Affairs Officer at Central Bank of the Midwest. She has been in the mortgage banking industry since 1989. Her experience includes loan origination for residential purchases and refinances, and supporting and promoting affordable lending programs for Greater Kansas City and assisting low to moderate income borrowers through homebuyer education all the way to homeownership

Yolanda Nicholson

Yolanda Nicholson is a Fraud Operations Manager at U.S. Bank, where she has worked for over 6 years. Yolanda serves as Ambassador of U.S. Bank’s Global Black Heritage Business Resource Group as well as Board Director of the local Kansas City Development Network. Yolanda is passionate about creating events and activities for employees to take advantage of career development and culture within their community. In additional to her role, Yolanda maintain the Yammer Pages for several departments. Prior to joining U.S. Bank she worked as a Team Manager for 12 years with T-Mobile Wireless. Yolanda was instrumental with onboarding new hires with the launch of the outsourced location in Manilla, Philippines. She earned the distinguished “Peak Award” in 2005 and again in 2007 with that company.

Marla Dickinson

Marla Dickinson has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry; she is an CRA Mortgage Loan Officer with US Bank. Prior to joining US Bank, she worked as a Loan Officer with Novastar Mortgage and Project Manager at Sprint PCS. She earned a master’s certification in Project Management from George Washington University.

She has been recognized for her community involvement and her passion to serve. Marla has received numerous awards and recognitions over the span of her career. Her most recent award “Toastmaster of the Year” was recognition for serving and assisting members with personal development.

Currently, Marla serves as VP of Membership on the Urban Financial Services Coalition Board (UFSC- GKC) and Co-Chair’s Programs. Marla was instrumental in assisting in chartering UFSC-GKC Toastmasters Club; the UFSC Empowered Leaders and currently holds the office of President on their Executive Board.

Marla’s lifelong journey is continuous personal development while also helping others be the best version of themselves. Homeownership stands at the forefront steering her passion to serve. She teach financial literacy classes and educates on the Journey to Homeownership.

Erika Cosey

Erika Cosey is a Kansas City native and a Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst at Commerce Bank where she provides insightful solutions related to financial modeling, analysis, budgeting, and forecasting to drive decisions and results for several key consumer banking units while working alongside various levels of management. She earned a BS in Secondary English Education from Missouri Southern State University and a MS in Finance from Webster University. Erika served over four years as the Chapter leader of Webster University KC’s Alumni chapter and is a continuous volunteer to numerous organizations in the metro area with her service and contributions primarily focused on youth, women, financial and education literacy, and homelessness. Erika also currently holds the VP of Public Relations position for UFSC Empowered Leaders Toastmasters Club.

Ola Truelove

Ola Truelove is National President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) and Vice President and Business Solutions Relationship Manager with Central Bank of the Midwest, a Lee’s Summit, MO-based, FDIC-insured bank. Central Bank of the Midwest is an affiliate of Central Bancompany, a $13.4 billion holding company founded in 1902 and based in Jefferson City, MO. Prior to joining Central Bank 5 years ago, Ola worked at U.S. Bank for 20 years and at Commerce Bank for 18 years. Ola’s career in the financial services industry includes management positions in the areas of Transit/Check Operations, Lockbox and Treasury Management Sales.

Ola has served on the board of directors of UFSC-Greater Kansas City for 21 years and played an integral part in developing the chapter’s infrastructure and its strong community presence. While employed at U.S. Bank, Ola served as President of the Kansas City Association for Financial Professionals, was a member of the bank’s “Million Dollar Club”, a recipient of its Five Star Award for her community support of UFSC, recipient of the Friends of Yates Inc.’s Women of Distinction Award and recognized by INROADS at the national level as Business Supervisor of the Year and Outstanding Member of the Year.

As have her predecessors in recent years, Ola has witnessed and been personally impacted by the challenges to the financial services industry caused by struggling economic conditions and mergers, acquisitions and workforce reductions. Because leading an organization facing such challenges is a tall order, Ola realizes the importance of being strategic about how UFSC generates funding; serving as a resource for its members and their employers with attracting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce; and holding its leaders accountable for their performance individually and collectively. “Achieving UFSC’s mission requires productivity and teamwork at all levels of the organization, especially at the top”, states Ola. Leading our organization goes far beyond names on letterhead and titles on resumes. Although attractive, those are miniscule components to achieving our mission to be a pre-eminent financial services organization”. Ola is a native of Kansas City, MO and resident of Grandview, MO. Her pride and joy is her daughter Teasha who resides and works in Dallas, TX.

Corporate Partnership

UFSC-GKC sponsors include individuals and businesses across a wide range of disciplines within the financial services industry. But more importantly, they are like-minded in their desire to achieve the mission and vision of UFSC-GKC. Whether banks, savings and loans, investment firms, insurance, mortgage, credit card, payment system services, small business owners, or other non-profit organizations, they are unified in their purpose to improve minority communities, career professionals and youth opportunities.

If you are looking to get involved in the community and support the mission of Urban Financial Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City, then sponsorship is one way that you can do so. If you or your organization wishes to provide professional development programs, support educational advancement and/or promote economic empowerment within minority communities, take a look at the options available for you to support UFSC-GKC.

Theodis Watson

Theodis Watson is a native of Kansas City, MO and an Assistant Vice President/Community Business Relationship Manager for Central Bank of the Midwest. Theodis serves as the Western Vice President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition which partners with chapter presidents from Kansas City, Puget Sound, San Francisco, and Omaha. Serves on the board of United Inner City Services, in which, is an organization that was created to strengthen the health and vitality of its neighboring communities by providing family assistance programs to early childhood care services. Theodis is also a certified FDIC Money Smart Alliance trainer (Personal and Business) facilitating financial workshops in local communities. Also, serves on the Prospect Business Association Board, an organization that focus on the redevelopment of Kansas City’s Urban Core. Theodis received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Public Relations from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Married to his beautiful wife Evonne and has 3 amazing children who are 4, 7, and 19.

Jureau Bowman

Jureau Bowman is the Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager at Commerce Bank, where she has worked for 9 years. In addition to her role, she is also an Ambassador and Regional Edge Champion for Commerce. She is one of the face-front contacts for new hires, helping them to feel welcomed and appreciated. Prior to joining Commerce, Jureau worked for 14 years at Harrah’s Casino, Kansas City, MO as a Pit Manager. In addition to sitting on the Board at UFSC-GKC, Jureau also dedicates time as a Board Member and Chairperson for Planning and Development for Southtown Council, who are committed to community service events. She is also a member of Alpha Epilson Zeta Sorority, Inc. Jureau also serves as a board member for the Clever YMCA. She is a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she serves on the Trustee Board and is a native of Clarksdale, MS. Jureau earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Avila University, Kansas City, MO.

Sherida Harris

Sherida Harris’ nearly 15-year career has been devoted to American Century, its merger with J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services and the acquisition of the latter organization by Empowerment Retirement/Great-West Financial. In her roles as Learning & Organizational Development Specialist, Product Education Specialist and Senior Training Specialist, her measurable outcomes were aligned with and supportive of constant industry changes, evolving client needs and the cultural and environmental nuances that often accompany corporate mergers and acquisitions.

In conjunction with her professional dedication to continuous improvement, Sherida is a well-known and internal and external change agent and servant leader. She led J.P. Morgan’s Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD) Business Resource Group as a key component of her development and implementation of the organization’s Diversity & Inclusion Program. She also rose through the leadership ranks of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Urban Financial Services Coalition ultimately serving as Vice President of Program Planning, President and Advisor. These positions resulted in Sherida receiving J.P. Morgan’s Guiding Principle Award and the Award for Leading the Urban Financial Services Coalition’s Most Inspired Chapter.
Sherida earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, MO with an emphasis in English, Journalism, Creative Writing and Education.

Joell Dickerson

Joell Dickerson is the Home Ownership Center Manager at Neighborhood Housing Service of Kansas City (NHS) where she implements and oversees the service-delivery system and internal operations of the housing, lending, and minor home repair programs. She establishes overall objectives and comprehensive plans for the center to adhere to NHS’s goals of revitalizing and maintaining vibrant diverse communities. Joell graduated from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. In keeping with the mission of the Jesuits – ethics, justice and service to others, she has been an active participant in promoting economic sufficiency in the community. She is also passionate about instilling good personal financial skills in today’s youth. Joell is part of an outreach committee that visits inner city schools to talk to youth about sound money management skills.

Turner Pettway

Turner Pettway is a native of Chicago, Illinois and graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Turner has enjoyed careers in banking, community development and currently serves as President and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of Kansas City, Inc., a nonprofit 501(C)(3) that provides a variety of programs to improve access to credit for low-to moderate-income households. Turner and his wife Kimberly live in Kansas City, Missouri.

Debra Bronston

September 29, 1957 – July 31, 2021

Debra was born in Alexandria, Louisiana to Harold Lee and Thelma Viola Jones Mack. She graduated from Peabody High School in 1975, received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Grambling State University in 1979 and her Master’s Degree in Business Administration through the Executive Fellows Program from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO in 1993.

After graduating from Grambling, Debra moved to Kansas City, MO and began a 32 year career with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. She spent her first 11 years at the bank as a financial examiner and the remainder in Human Resources. During her tenure in Human Resources, Debra was promoted to the bank’s official as an Assistant Vice President, becoming the first Black American officer. Debra enjoyed her work, the people with whom she worked, and prided herself with helping others and making a difference. Debra retired from the bank in 2011.

In 1980, Debra met Robert Ervin Bronston. She married him and his two sons Russell and Robert, Jr. on May 7, 1983. Debra was added to the Church of Christ in 1982 through baptism at the Swope Parkway Church of Christ in Kansas City. In 1995, she placed her membership with the Blue Ridge Church of Christ also located in Kansas City where she served as Secretary and Nursery Attendant.

Debra always considered Kansas City to be her second home since she lived with and visited her maternal grandmother in this city since the early 1960s. Her love for the city was shown through involvement in local chapters of organizations such as Black Achievers Society, Community Linc., Full Employment Council, INROADS, and National Association of African Americans in Human Resources, National Black MBA Association, Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Urban Financial Services Coalition and Urban League of Kansas City.

Debra shared her maternal great grandmother’s passion for family genealogy. Through extensive research, the two of them were able to trace their family back to 1860.

Sharon Hardy

Sharon Hardy is a life-long Auditor and performs internal control and compliance reviews and consultant engagements for financial institutions in Missouri and Kansas. She speaks to professional groups on the topics of leadership and teambuilding and is recognized by business leaders for her outstanding leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. Sharon holds a Master in Business Administration Degree from Avila College, Kansas City, MO, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Management from Park College, Parkville, MO and a degree in Audit Management from the Business School of Banking – University of Wisconsin at Madison, WI. Sharon is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Tracy Rainge

Tracy is a Senior Human Resources Recruiter and European Partner with McKinsey & Company; the trusted advisor and counselor to many of the world’s most influential businesses and institutions. Tracy joined McKinsey & Company in September of 2021 and has already made an impact by implementing various transformative recruitment strategies while building strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the European market. In her short tenor, Tracy was deemed the project lead for several key initiatives and was tasked with training and onboarding seven colleagues to support her European projects.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Tracy worked in the Financial Services industry for many years as she was with U.S. Bank for seven years and DST – Boston Financial Services for over eight years. Tracy held various leadership titles including Operations Manager with both U.S. Bank and DST.

Tracy graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University with a Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management. During her schooling, she became intrigued with the HR side of her studies which ultimately led her to a career in Talent Acquisition.

Tracy has a passion for helping others thrive and grow. She served on the U.S. Bank Development Network Board for several years and led various events including, the Kansas City Metropolitan area’s first Black History Cultural Awareness Event. She was also the Co-Lead for several Women’s Empowerment Events.

Tracy became a member of UFSC-GKC Executive Board in 2018 and served as the Co-Chair of Resource and Development. She also chaired the annual fundraising Golf Tournament for three years and was able to raise money to award scholarships for each year she served. In 2021 Tracy moved into the Vice President of Programs role with UFSC-GKC. As the program chair, she hosted several key empowerment sessions focused on career pathing, growth, and development. In January of 2022, Tracy moved into the UFSC-GKC local chapter Presidency role.

Upcoming Events

Corporate Ambassador

Robbin Caldwell

Tracy Rainge

Tracy has worked in the Financial Services industry for many years as she was with U.S. Bank for seven years and DST – Boston Financial Data Services for over eight years. Tracy held various leadership titles including Operations Manager with both U.S. Bank and DST-BFDS.

Tracy graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University with a Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management. During her schooling, she became intrigued with the HR side of her studies which ultimately led her to a career in Talent/HR.

Anissa Brown

Adriana Fields

LaDonna Ali

Yolanda Nicholson

Marla Dickinson

Erika Cosey

Ola Truelove

Corporate Partnership

Theodis Watson

Jureau Bowman

Sherida Harris

Joell Dickerson

Turner Pettway

Debra Bronston

September 29, 1957 – July 31, 2021

Debra shared her maternal great grandmother’s passion for family genealogy. Through extensive research, the two of them were able to trace their family back to 1860.

Sharon Hardy

Tracy Rainge