Tiffany Ormon

Managing Director and Regional Credit Manager, Wells Fargo Capital Finance

Biography:

Tiffany Ormon is a managing director and regional credit manager for Wells Fargo Capital Finance. Based in Boston, as a member of the Technology Finance team, Tiffany oversees a portfolio of credit solutions for companies in the software and technology industries.

Tiffany has over 20 years of experience within the asset-based lending and leveraged finance industries. Joining Bank of America N.A. (previously FleetBoston Financial and BankBoston) in 1999 as a financial analyst, Tiffany has since held positions in credit operations and underwriting, as well as relationship and portfolio management. Tiffany possesses extensive domain expertise across all facets of transaction execution and relationship management and has significant experience in structuring specialized financing solutions.

Tiffany studied English and African American Studies at Tufts University in Medford, MA.

Tiffany is actively involved in various community organizations, primarily focused on advocacy for women and combatting domestic violence and is also engaged in mentoring programs, which leverage entrepreneurship to ignite the potential of youth from under-resourced communities and propel them to high school, college and career success. Tiffany serves on the board of her daughter’s (Ivy, 7) elementary school and enjoys skiing and traveling with her family.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry?

Be unapologetic and unafraid. Women in the workplace spend far too much time and energy worrying about how they are perceived, overthinking and measuring every move, fearful of the slightest misstep; and, as a result, we often mute our ideas and limit our contributions. I encourage women to shine; be your own, biggest cheerleader – embrace and celebrate who you are; for instance, “I am a strong, black woman - I am a wonderful mother - I am an innovator and a problem solver – I am outspoken and funny -- I love (and am good at) what I do!”  Stop self-regulating and/or trying to live up to an unfounded, unrealistic version or prototype of the “professional woman” – it is exhausting and a huge waste of time. Instead, redirect that energy toward building relationships, acquiring knowledge, creating value, offering ideas, overcoming failures and recalibrating and, most importantly, enjoying the ride!

Studies have shown women are more reluctant to tout their accomplishments in the workplace. What advice would you give to help women be more comfortable with speaking up?

Ask yourself: (i) Am I proud of what I have accomplished?; (ii) Have I worked hard to drive value for this company/organization?; (iii) Do I have a track record of executing, reaching goals or, course correcting when something isn’t working? (iv) Have I pursued and balanced outside ventures/passions?; or (v) Have I overcome challenges to get to where I’m at? If you’ve answered yes to any ONE or all of these – first, acknowledge (to yourself) that you absolutely rock and second, let people know!  These are very real, tangible and noteworthy accomplishments. Advertise these experiences, not only to build (your) confidence, but also to inspire others to do great things, register on radars (of those who may not fully appreciate all you have to offer) and open yourself up to limitless opportunities.   

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career?

Dear Tiffany (circa 1998),

Failure is a good thing. On the path to greatness, you will stumble and fall. It will hurt. You will get up, learn from it and be better for having gone through it. Give yourself no more than a day to wallow – that’s fair; but, when you wake up the next day, own the mistake, try to identify where you went wrong and  adjust. Do not become your own worst enemy.  Keep pushing, reworking and refining. With the rebound, comes endurance and resilience, and those traits will prove invaluable.

Also – you belong. You will often be the only woman or person of color in the room, and that will be overwhelming. Do not aim to assimilate – rather, have conviction in your point of view, leverage your differences and use them to your advantage. People around you will respond to your authenticity. This will not be easy and you cannot do it alone. Build a support system - a network of peers, colleagues, friends and mentors to guide, encourage and advocate for you AND find a way to offer that same support to another.

How have you approached big career decisions? OR What is your approach/advice to change in the workplace?

Embrace it. Change can be unsettling, but (ultimately) is the driver of innovation, progress and, most importantly - opportunity. Most of the leaps in my career were spurred by mass changes in the organization; and, if I’d elected to remain frozen in place or unaccepting, rather than taking full advantage of the optionality that often accompanies change – I wouldn’t be where I am today.