Moira Kowal

Head of Sales Strategy & Customer Development, Asset-Based Lending, TD Bank

Biography:

Moira Kowal is head of sales strategy & customer development for TD Bank Asset Based Lending. She has over 30 years of experience in driving commercial growth for corporate finance organizations. In her current leadership role, Moira is responsible for developing and executing key strategies to maximize shareholder value in alignment with business growth and risk objectives; managing business strategy, sales effectiveness, market analytics and reporting, communications, employee experience and business improvements.

Throughout her career, Moira has held several roles in marketing, salesforce effectiveness, administration and strategy. In these roles, she managed customer service programs and events, was a team lead in building and deploying CRM systems and integral in design and execution of business strategies, as well as championing an employee advisory committee. Moira started her career with GE Capital, where she spent 23 years, and has also worked at RBS Commercial Finance and CIT Group, Commercial & Industrial. She has been with TD Bank for seven years. Moira currently serves on the Metro NY D&I Council on behalf of TD Corporate & Specialty Banking (CSB). She also serves on the development committee for Notre Dame School of Manhattan. Moira is a graduate of Fordham University with a BS and is Six Sigma Belt certified.

What advice would you offer to someone just starting out who wants to be a difference maker in their organization?

First and foremost, be authentic. Authenticity allows you to always demonstrate your greatest qualities.  Raise your hand, either for projects in the workplace or with volunteer opportunities; these are valuable learning experiences and will broaden your skills and knowledge while allowing others to witness your contributions.  Be solutions-oriented. Instead of raising a problem, offer a suggestion for improving or overcoming the challenge.  Even if your idea is not selected, you will demonstrate thoughtfulness.   Whatever you choose to make a difference in, don’t forget to be your best at your day-to-day job! 

Your charitable activities are focused on improving the lives of women. Please tell us about the organizations you are involved with and why their missions are important to you.

I find satisfaction in supporting the development and education of women.  I currently sit on the development committee of Notre Dame School of Manhattan.  Although it is a private Catholic college preparatory school for girls, the student body represents the melting pot of New York City with a diverse ethnic and religious population. Tuition is beyond reach for so many applicants and the school’s development committee works to ensure that deserving students can achieve their potential. The faculty provides not only a superior education to enter college, but prepares students to be leaders who serve their communities.  100% of students are accepted into college and 97% win academic scholarships. 

Through TD Bank, I have also worked with The Coalition for the Homeless in their First Step Program.  It is a 14-week curriculum to empower homeless and low-income women to build a better life for themselves through education, training, social support and work experience.   Helping these women through their resume review and mock-interview process enlightened the plight of women less fortunate.  These women are inspirational in their strength and tenacity to feel empowered and strive for success.  

You’re also involved in TD’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. Please tell us about that.

I have been involved in D&I initiatives for the last six years and currently serve on the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Council for Metro NY, which is incredibly gratifying. At TD Bank, we take pride in creating a culture that celebrates individuals’ unique talents and contributions. By fostering an atmosphere of belonging, colleagues are motivated and inspired to perform to their highest potential.

For me, I choose to focus on helping to advance women, and work with other women at TD to develop initiatives that foster a path towards leadership. Through leadership programs, mentoring, roundtables with leadership and lunch & learns, we have been able to provide experiences and insights for women at all levels to help them define and forge their path.

How do you balance work/personal time?

I think the term “balance” is a misnomer because rarely are life demands balanced between two choices; typically, one area requires prioritization over another at any given time.  To manage this successfully requires sacrifice and support.

My recipe in managing life is to be honest and transparent with expectations for whomever or whatever needs attention.  Once you prioritize what you will focus on, be committed, be present and be engaged.  It’s important to leave regret at the door, otherwise it will be harder to fully commit.  While this sounds practical and logical, it isn’t easy and may require time and practice to get comfortable making choices.