Originally featured in the 2023 August/September issue of Tangi Lifestyles

First Guaranty Bank is a leader in the local community in the way they give back, the way they treat their customers, and employees. As the Best Small Bank in America for the third year in a row, Tangi’s only locally owned bank is doing things a little differently when it comes to empowering their team and developing current and future leaders.

Two years ago, on the heels of a pandemic, an “in-house” all-encompassing leadership program was born – the Emerging Leader Development Program. The program was designed to enhance the leadership skills of high potential employees and future leaders within the bank.

“We’ve got some really good people,” Alton Lewis, President and CEO of First Guaranty Bank said. “The reason we wanted to do this program is that the people that go through get to know the whole bank, establish relationships, and develop personally and as leaders. All these things make First Guaranty Bank better.”

The goal of the program is for each participant to increase their knowledge bank-wide and to help identify their own strengths and opportunities when it comes to leadership. Each year, future and current leaders are nominated from different departments and voted on by a committee before being accepted into the prestigious program. The class is kept small, ten to twelve participants at the most, on purpose.

“There’s so much sharing that we do. We don’t have a whole lot of time when we’re together and it flies by, so we want to make sure we’re able to give the individual feedback that is due to each participant in the program,” added Mary Mayo, VP/Leadership Development Officer and Emerging Leader Program facilitator.

Over the course of nine months, participants meet once a month for a day and a half to hear from various departments and bank executives. They engage with members of senior management learning about their path to success and lessons they’ve learned along the way. The class volunteers together in the community and participates in team building exercises.

Kristin Williams, Executive Assistant to the President/CEO, views her time in class this year as a time to zone in and focus on maximizing her ability to build upon her leadership skills including active listening, inspiring others, and effective communication.

The class is diverse. Most of the participants in the program wouldn’t normally cross paths or have the opportunity to get to know each other. “The program creates a dynamic within the bank where they have their very own small group,” said Vikki Dupaquier, VP/Learning & Development Manager.

Each session focuses on a different leadership skill or principle. In the first session, participants go over their DiSC profiles and how to effectively communicate with those with different communication styles, whether that be peers or future leaders. Each participant also prepares an elevator pitch and later in the year, they team up to put together a presentation on Banking Basics.

Austin Grant, Systems Engineer III remembers when he first got the call that he was nominated for the 2023 Emerging Leader Class. “I just expected to come in here to kind of listen and take a few notes.” But after the first few sessions, he stated “I've gotten a lot out of it for sure. The things we learn aren’t just specific to leadership, they are things you can use for you--your home life, your personal life, and with friends.”

“One of the biggest takeaways for me,” said Lauren Lee, Tangipahoa native and Marketing Operations Coordinator, “has been that influence is leadership. It’s not necessarily a title.”

Upon completion of the program, participants will have learned principles of public speaking, be able to demonstrate behaviors that influence and inspire others and be able to apply those skills for their own personal and professional development.

Mandi Aguillard, VP/HR Recruiting Manager and 2022 Emerging Leader Graduate reflected on her time in the program, “If we were to get anything out of the course, we had to be very vulnerable.”

FGB’s Emerging Leader Class of 2022. Back Row from left to right: Misty Shaffett, Daniel Prince, Rikki Deaville, Mandi Aguillard Front Row from left to right: Shana Wells, Caree Claunch, Brianna Lowe, Josiah Blood Not Pictured: Callistus Amajoyi and Brittanie Wallace

“Each person walks away with something different depending on what phase of life they’re in, what phase of their career, their experience level,” said Vikki Dupaquier.

Brianna Lowe, Branch Manager of the downtown Hammond branch and 2022 Emerging Leader Graduate said, “I wish everyone could truly experience the leadership program because it’s that great. If I could go through it again, I would and I would repeatedly because it was that fulfilling.”

“Mary did an excellent job,” stated Mandi Aguillard. “I loved every minute of it. She expected a lot out of us and because of that, I feel like I grew a lot.”

Several managers have called Mary Mayo to thank her throughout the program’s duration. “They (managers) have seen positive improvement and changes from the moment their employees stepped into the program,” she said.

With two employees in the program, one current and one recently graduated, Colton McDaniel, VP/Credit Officer/Credit Department Manager knows the value of this program. “The Emerging Leader Program caters and does things a little bit differently than other programs. Specifically, they do have to teach to a group, but different people get different things out of it,” he said.  He nominates his employees for the program when he feels like they’re at a launching point in their career and need to reach the next level.

Mikki Kelley, SVP and Human Resources Manager, has also benefited from an employee going through the Emerging Leader Program. “Through the Emerging Leader Program, I’ve witnessed Mandi’s confidence skyrocket and her becoming the very best version of herself. Her personality and her actions define leadership, being fanatical and most importantly, define who we are at FGB.”

FGB’s Emerging Leader Class of 2023 Back row: Erica O’Neal, Kenny Wilson, Corinne Forbes, Austin Grant, Jeremy Dubose, Vickie Jenkins
Front row: Kristin Williams, Landa Domangue, Heather Liuzza, Mary Mayo, Madison Matherne, Lauren Lee, Mary Kutej

First Guaranty Bank has created a unique personal development program that you don’t typically see at other companies. They believe their employees are one of their greatest assets. When you focus on people, the heart of the bank, you focus on the community and make it better for everyone.

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