Fellows mentioned in this story: Beth Whitehead, Cohort IV

From Pacific Business News:

In the early years of her career, Beth Whitehead, now executive vice president and chief administrative officer at American Savings Bank, said she challenged herself to “find her voice as a LGBTQIA+ woman leader in what was predominantly a male-led industry.”

Whitehead was born in a small town in Arkansas that “makes Waianae look like a big city.” She started her career as a lawyer, and served as general counsel for two large banks prior to joining ASB in 2008.

In her early banking career, Whitehead said she did not experience diversity in the workplace around her or have mentors around her that looked like her.

“There was a likelihood that openly gay employees would be fired because they did not ‘represent the values of the company out in the community,’” she said. “I can personally attest that it’s difficult to imagine career opportunities when you don’t see yourself reflected in leadership positions. Representation is so important.”

Continue reading at bizjournals.com.