In the past decade, gender equality in the workplace has grown by leaps and bounds – especially in the banking industry. This Women’s History Month, First Merchants Bank is proud to celebrate that progress, and we’re committed to forging ahead for greater rights and opportunities for women – both within the banking industry, and outside of it.

Sharissa Ulrey, FVP, Director of Talent Development with First Merchants Bank and Founder and Co-Chair of the First Women’s Connections Employee Resource Group at First Merchants, has experienced that change – and that commitment to do better – firsthand.

“I started working in the banking industry while I was still in college, more than 30 years ago,” she shared. “At the time, teller roles were the most common position available to women.”

Sharissa put in her hours as a teller for three years as she worked her way through college. When she graduated, she chose to stay in banking – but quickly realized she would have to work harder than her male peers to be taken seriously.

That used to be a common theme for women wanting to enter the banking field, added Steph Madison, Diversity and Engagement Manager with First Merchants Bank.

“When I got into banking, I knew I would have to work twice as hard as my male coworkers, just to be seen as competent as they were,” Steph shared.

Sharissa and Steph both began working in banking in entry-level roles and worked their way up – but being a working woman could be a delicate balancing act – and it required a lot of sacrifice.

“For years, I did not mention my family or my children at work,” Steph shared. “I did not have pictures of them in my office. I did not leave to pick my kids up from school. Because, by virtue of being a woman, I was in competition with my male peers– though they wouldn’t have seen it that way. As a working mother, I had to sacrifice some parts of my personal life and make myself constantly available so that, when my manager thought ‘Who would be available to take on this task’ I wouldn’t immediately be dismissed as an option.”

Luckily, Steph had a strong support network of people cheering for her as she progressed in her career, including her husband.

But those choices were still difficult ones to make.

Now, Steph and Sharissa both hold leadership positions within First Merchants Bank, and they work hard to ease the path for other women as they advocate for greater equality in the workplace.

“You still see a lot of roles dominated by men – but things are improving as women take roles of greater responsibility in the banking industry. It feels good to have had some small part in helping blaze a trail for other women who may follow in my footsteps and take a leap of faith.”

Steph, in her role, directly oversees moving the needle on increased gender equality in the workplace.

“The work is humbling, and I hope I can have a small part in paving the way for other women to succeed in the banking industry as leaders and upper management,” she said. That work includes things like First Merchants’ twice-monthly Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Call, where team members learn from each other, discuss prevalent issues within the DEI space, and work together to create a more empowered workspace. It also includes groups dedicated to support and advocacy – like First Women’s Connections.

“There are great groups like First Women’s Connections which provide mentorship to women growing in their careers,” said Sharissa. “As a woman in a senior leadership position, I am honored to help lead that ERG and it makes me feel so valued as a part of the company, to be able to provide a format for other women across the bank to help them feel included and valued as well.”

Steph is pleased to share that, in recent years, thanks to the changes she’s seen in the industry and the welcoming environment First Merchants has created, she now proudly displays photos of her family in her office and shares family stories with co-workers.

“First Merchants has created a place where I am free to – and encouraged to – bring my whole self to work without fear of repercussions or being judged,” Steph shared. “And that is such an incredibly freeing thing. I’m so proud to work for a company that is so committed to having a tangible difference in improving the lives of its team members and clients.”

And, of course, there is more to be done to increase awareness of the challenges women face as banking customers, as well.

“A few years ago, I went to open a savings account for my child and was asked if I didn’t want to ‘go home and discuss it with my husband first,’” Steph explained. “Unfortunately, experiences like this one are very common when women request financial services. Correcting that takes open, honest conversations, robust employee education, and, most importantly, good people who are passionate about their work and attentive to the real needs of their customers. And I’m proud to say that First Merchants is really providing that and working to ensure that all our customers feel seen, valued, and are empowered to be the true captains of their fate – regardless of their gender, relationship status, or any other characteristic.”