Aileen Thomas, Synovus | Next 2023

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Senior Director, Consumer Product

Aileen Thomas joined the $60 billion-asset Synovus as a consumer product team member in 2018. Within just two years, she was promoted to consumer product lead. Thomas was promoted, according to nominating executive Liz Wolverton, head of consumer banking and brand experience, because it was "evident she possessed high leadership potential and what we look for in executive leaders. Her exceptional intellect, courage, expertise, work ethic and people skills allowed her to quickly expand her visibility and responsibilities."

Thomas oversees the six-member consumer bank product management team, which includes consumer and business banking: deposits, home equity and personal lending, debit and credit cards. She joined Synovus after a seven-year stint at SunTrust, which is now Truist Bank, where she started as a corporate risk quantitative analyst and rose to become a consumer lending product manager.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935, Thomas created a comprehensive disaster response plan, rapidly deploying foreign ATM and overdraft fee waivers for the bank's clients and established loan and credit card payment deferment plans.

Over the course of the last two years, Thomas has developed strategies to help Synovus build a path forward around digital assets and overdraft practices. As a result of her research and recommendations, Synovus suspended its bitcoin efforts and is currently reviewing its overdraft structure.

Thomas leads a yearly "day of service" for Synovus's consumer bank culture team, during which employees across the bank's five-state footprint volunteer to strengthen their local communities. As a result of her leadership, more than 300 Synovus team members volunteered a combined 1,000 hours for 55 organizations in 2022. This was a 30% increase in volunteer activities and a 65% increase in team member participation compared to 2021.

Outside of the office, Thomas ​frequently volunteers with Junior Achievement USA, using her financial expertise to teach elementary school students the principles of personal finance. She is also a regional coordinator for USA Ultimate club championships, a disc competition for athletes.