Jennifer Bernice Wallace

Vice President, Wells Fargo Capital Finance

40 Under 40 Category: Portfolio/Risk Management

Jennifer is a relationship manager in the Lender Finance group of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, where she manages a portfolio of specialty finance companies, including asset-based lenders, factors, equipment leasing, and other nonbank lenders. Prior to joining Lender Finance in May 2018, Jennifer was a relationship manager with Wells Fargo in the New Orleans Middle Market Banking office.  She joined the Middle Market Bank through the Wells Fargo MBA Relationship Manager Internship Program in June 2016. 

 Jennifer currently serves on the SFNet Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She has served on the Dallas chapter of the WFCF Women’s Connection group and won the WF Golden Spoke award in 2019.

Jennifer received her M.B.A from Southern Methodist University (SMU), Cox School of Business and her B.A. in economics/mathematics from Emory University. 

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Jennifer is an avid sports fan (NBA, NFL – let’s go Cowboys, tennis, and F1), enjoys traveling, and is an active member in her community.

What is the best professional advice you have been given and how have you implemented it?

I had the fortune of meeting Carla A. Harris at a conference in New Orleans and was given the best professional advice: Your relationship currency is just as important as your performance currency (Expect to Win). Early on in my career, I believed that my performance quality on the job was important, and I still do. However, I learned quickly that being relationship-driven (internally and externally) would greatly benefit my professional growth. Now, I actively try to develop and maintain meaningful relationships by a variety of methods. First, I engage with my clients/coworkers by asking questions and staying abreast of activities in various industry groups within and outside of my organization. Also, I have accepted additional stretch assignments that allow me to interact with other colleagues outside of my immediate working group.

What is your definition of success?

Success for me is defined by being a positive leader, achieving and exceeding the goals set forth by myself, meeting the needs of my clients, and being a trusted advisor, approaching every task with an “I can and I will” attitude. Stepping outside of my comfort zone and challenging myself to grow personally and professionally is when I feel most successful. The definition of success will differ as personal motivations vary for each individual and that is what makes success unique. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to celebrate all successes, whether small or large, personal or professional; they all are important and worthy of celebration.

Did you change the way you approach work while working remotely during the pandemic?  Have these habits stayed with you as we emerge from the crisis?

During the pandemic work-life balance became very real while working remotely. To ensure I maintained some semblance of a boundary between the two, I was very intentional in setting alerts for daily breaks, lunches and prohibited myself from logging on late in the evening.

Incorporating mindfulness meditation is worth keeping in my daily routine.

How do you define a good leader?

I would define a good leader as a person who is an active listener, empathetic, a problem-solver, and encourages everyone around them to bring their authentic self to work.  I believe the last point is important because a leader that encourages authenticity promotes a healthy work environment that allows individuals/teams to thrive and focus on the goals at hand. I have the great fortune to be surrounded by great leaders everyday within Wells Fargo and the SFNet.