Mollie FRY DIRECTOR OF WELLBEING & TOTAL REWARDS – FIRST FINANCIAL BANK, CINCINNATI What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I was a cashier for Tractor Supply Company when I was in high school! I can remember starting that job thinking it was going to be so easy and I would finally be making my own money. My second day on the job, it was closing time and the general manager told me he wanted to train me on the closing procedures. I proceeded to the back of the store with him, where the store office and restrooms were. The GM handed me a pair of plastic gloves and a toilet bowl cleaner and told me I was going to learn how to clean the restrooms for closing as he proceeded to show me what to do. I don’t recall everything I said to him, probably something about “I’m a cashier, not the janitor,” but his response taught me one of the biggest life lessons I could have learned and still practice to this day: “It doesn’t matter what your role is. A great leader leads by example, rolls up their sleeves and contributes.” What drew you to banking? I always felt banking was personal and highly regarded. I can still remember growing up and my parents taking me to our hometown bank to open my first savings account, and then later, when I got that first job, opening a checking account. I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to work for an organization that helped make dreams a reality for individuals and families. How do you stay innovative and forward-thinking in an ever-evolving industry? In my profession, HR – specifically Total Rewards – I network with like-professionals. I seek out what other organizations are doing, do lots of reading and join as many different webinars/seminars as I can cram into my calendar, plus listen to podcasts during my commutes. What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in banking? Get connected, no matter what area of the bank you work in. Make connections and find mentors to help you understand the other areas and how each business unit makes money. If you weren’t a banker, what would you do for a living? I would love to have the opportunity to volunteer and give back more to my community. Specifically, I would love to help mentor young people who haven’t had the easiest path, being a positive BANKER PROFILE 32 HOOSIERBANKER
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