"The sky is the limit…Avoid complacency – lazy individuals seldom achieve their goals…Never dull your light so that someone else can shine."

Irene Kyere, MBA Finance has relied on these mantras throughout her career while rising to become Senior Vice President and Team Leader at Southern First Bank in Greensboro. She shared them with Livingstone College students during a recent visit to Salisbury. While on campus, Irene met with the Credit Essentials Certificate class – a component of the NC Bankers Association’s Future Bank Leaders program – which encourages young people to consider a career in banking.

The class is led by bank executives who explain the concepts of commercial banking, and perhaps more importantly, share stories of their own journeys to success – both the thrill of great achievements, and the resilience required to overcome enormous obstacles. 

With poise and presence, Irene elegantly spoke about her personal experience. Born in Ghana, West Africa, she was 11 when her father died. Soon the family began to struggle. She came to the U.S. to attend college and pursue a better life, refusing to give up on her goals when others suggested she should. Diligently climbing her way from branch teller to her current role as a senior leader, Irene’s message was inspiring. “I encourage you all to dream big. Envision yourself in a position beyond your current circumstances. Once you have that dream, set concrete goals and develop strategies to achieve them. Be prepared to work hard, and if your initial strategies don’t yield results, be flexible and adapt. Challenge yourself, remain dynamic and when faced with adversity, rise again!

The message clicked with the students, including Malachi Coleman, a junior business major from Gastonia, who also plays on the football team. “It was impactful. As a student-athlete, time management and juggling responsibilities are always a challenge, so it’s easy to want to take short cuts because we’re busy and get tired. She made it clear that we can achieve whatever we want, if we want it bad enough, or we can make excuses. Don’t make excuses. Do whatever it takes. That’s what I plan to do.”

As for the impact Livingstone had on Irene, “It was an honor to meet these students,” she said. “I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity for anything.”

https://ncbankers.org/2025/03/20/mlk-jr-had-a-dream-so-did-she/