50 Leading Women: Pamela Zeigler-Petty

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Pamela Zeigler-Petty, President of PZPBizConnect. Pamela Zeigler-Petty serves as the SVP, Community Development Banking for Interbank. In this role, she is responsible for expanding community development lending relationships, enhancing the Bank’s community outreach, and ensuring InterBank is positioned to meet the needs of all the communities it serves. Pamela serves as “change agent & culture advocate” in volunteer roles such as current Chair of the Plano Culture & Inclusion Alliance, member of the Plano Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Business Council for the Arts, 2022 Obelisk Awards Chair; just to name a few. Due in part to her leadership, the Plano Culture & Inclusion Alliance hosted their inaugural DE&I Summit open to the Plano community. In her very rare spare time, you may have noticed her articles featured in Local Profile. We can not wait to see what she sets her mind to next!

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others

I flourish when I implore Transformational leadership. I thrive on strategy and participation that infuses creative and innovative approaches with seasoned methodology. I lead others based on their specific “needs”; I am adaptive to situations, enjoy workplace harmony for teamwork, encourage self-directed productivity and open lines of communication at all times.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

I believe that if women surround themselves and seek others that exemplify excellence, their leadership skills will become enhanced. It’s important to read, become educated about best practices, seek counsel from leaders, ally’s, sponsors and be open to advice and critique as often as needed. As women grown along their journeys someone will always have a better grasp on a particular skill. Take the opportunity to master it; share with those you influence along the way.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

Leadership requires understanding your strengths and weaknesses! You must be willing to take responsibility at all times and stand behind decisions that require executive leadership traits and approach. Some of the most important decisions require leading in a manner that is respectable, judicious and will not jeopardize outcomes. As a leader, I must be well versed in the subject matter prior to making final determination.

4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

I am thrilled when I provide just a touch of leadership to those who are already “fabulous”, but for some reason are not realizing their great potential. It’s so rewarding to share a few tools to channel their voice and creativity, push the boundaries and then get out of the way and watch them explode into the incredible, unstoppable leaders they have always been. It never fails, most not only outgrow my methodology, but end up teaching me so much more than I could ever have imagined. It’s an incredible feeling that I never get tired of experiencing!

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

One disappointment during my journey, was recognizing my strengths and leadership were not being utilized to the fullest capacity and would not materialize the way I envisioned. I learned along the way, we may potentially encounter a plateau, that does not align with professional goals. Recognize this, derive a plan, and pursue the opportunity that is awaiting full leadership abilities.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

Inclusion refers to a sense of belonging in any environment. To really achieve the benefits of diversity, you must work to be inclusive in recruiting, hiring, retention, and promotions. Recently, I heard it brilliantly described, “You must include the whole person, versus, just looking at them from inside of the four work walls. Have to be willing to consider all portions of the person.”

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

You are so incredibly talented, confident, and committed to excellence; don’t ever doubt yourself. And, if, you find yourself in a place of uncertainty, seek the best counsel available and know that God is not done with you yet. You have so much to give and if, you stay the course, it’s going to be an awesome ride.

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

“Leave the door open, and the ladder down.” The greatest gift you can give in leadership is to master advice after receiving it and remember to bring others along the journey with you as you start to reach the proverbial “table” of success. I am my Sister’s Keeper.

9. Who inspired you and why?

I often reflect on the work of Dr. Myrtle Hightower and the late Mazzie Moses, as examples who have inspired me to strive to be a much better version of “myself.” Their leadership and commitment to communities is exemplary and continues to guide me as I journey along my path.

10. What do you want to be remembered for?

I’ve often said that I want to be known for my “works”. But, as I continue to “grow”, I realize that my motto, of “It’s not about me”, is, faith based. So, I’ve tweaked my hope that when others think of me, it will be that I invested in communities, businesses, and people, without hesitation, because I wanted to see each rise to their greatest potential.