Growing up in Florence as the youngest of nine children, Janice Pride learned at an early age the importance of working with others.

“When you’re in a big family, you don’t know the difference,” she said. “So my life consisted of sharing a bedroom and bathroom and setting my alarm early so I could take a shower and do my hair before high school.”

Today, as Bank Independent's senior vice president of team member care, Mr. Pride said his job is gratifying to help team members succeed.

“I'm really lucky to be able to work with people. That's really where my joy is,” Pride said.

In his role at the bank, Mr. Pride will focus on the team member experience by building guardrails around the organization's values ​​and culture and leading strategic efforts to prioritize succession and recruitment. I can.

“I’m passionate about customer service and I’m passionate about people,” she said.

Pride's passion for identifying leadership potential and providing development opportunities paved the way for the creation of the Team Member Care Department in 2021.

She was promoted to vice president and asked to lead a new department.

“We are a division that focuses on the personal and professional growth of our team members, ensuring they have what they need to do their jobs and do their jobs well,” Pride said. said. “We're looking at how we can help them grow and become long-term engaged and fulfilled members of their work teams.”

Founded in 1947, the Shoals Area Community Bank is now a regional power and was recently named one of the “Best Companies to Work For in Alabama” by Business Alabama magazine and Best Companies Group. This is the fourth year in a row that Bank Independent has been named to this list.

Macke Mauldin, president and CEO of Bank Independent, said Pride's role at the bank is critical.

“Janice has always demonstrated the values ​​every day that drive our mission to make a positive difference in people's lives,” Mauldin said. The way she cares for our team members and our culture sets Bank Independent apart from other companies, and she is a custodian of that culture.

“Her steady leadership and ability to connect with people from all walks of life will be invaluable in making Bank Independent an employer of choice and bank of choice in the communities it serves throughout Alabama. She plays her role and definitely makes her a “woman of influence”. She is honored to have Janice on the team. ”

Pride believes her role is the same as Bank Independent's role in the community.

“That's what it's all about. Our mission is to make a positive difference.”

Despite having extensive success in the banking industry, 20 years ago Ms. Pride did not initially consider herself a banker.

“My understanding of banks was that they were just places to keep your savings and checking accounts and get mortgages,” she says. “And at the time, I didn’t know what it took to run a bank or an organization.”

Pride, an Auburn graduate, joins Bank Independent after a 10-year career at design firm Billy Reid.

“I remain extremely passionate about Billy's company's success and what he has accomplished for our community in northwest Alabama,” Pride said. “I think he did an incredible thing.”

Pride's career at Billy Reid developed many relationships within the community, including one with Fennell Mauldin, who hired her at Bank Independent.

Following Mr Mauldin's advice, Ms Pride joined the bank's human resources team in October 2013, taking on the role of employee assistance manager.

“As a bank, we have a philosophy that if we take care of our employees, they will take care of each other, our customers and our communities. This is a big part of what Bank Independent is about,” said Pride. said.

In addition to his role as senior vice president, Pride also serves on the board of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce.

“Revival, the arts, the talent here, the music, all of that is just a part of who I am,” she said. “So I am very proud to work for an organization that is growing and investing and making significant contributions to our community.”

Pride credits much of her success to her family.

“They instilled in me a strong set of core values,” she said. “I was raised with core values. Our priority is to work and live according to our values. It's just part of the core of who I am.”

Pride's advice for those just starting out in their careers is simple.

“Find something that you really enjoy, that you're passionate about, that brings you fulfillment, and work hard and do the right thing,” she said.

“I wanted to take it seriously and take on challenges. And helping others and being of service to others has opened incredible doors for me.”