Donna Kelley
Chief Financial Officer
First National Bank, Bainbridge
Vice Chair, 2021-2022 GBA Asset/Liability Management Committee
Q: What was your first job, and was there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: My first job was as a waitress at a small restaurant in rural Southwest Georgia. I learned the value of treating people the way you want to be treated and how to anticipate the customer’s needs, i.e., never let that tea glass get empty!
Q: What led you to a career in banking?
A: In the late ‘70s, I started working at the local bank as a proof operator and eventually worked in every area except lending. One of the advantages of working in a small community bank is the opportunity to learn multiple areas of the bank. After working seven years at the bank, my husband and I moved to Bainbridge and I decided to try something different. Two years later, I was more than ready to get back into banking. It was then that I decided a career in banking was the life for me.
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing professionally?
A: I’m most proud of accomplishing all that I have without a formal college education.
Q: If you could thank someone for becoming the professional you are today, who would it be and why?
A: Without Judy Powell and Tracy Dixon, I would not be where I am today. Judy was the CFO and COO at my prior bank. She taught me the operational and financial side of banking and understood my desire to know how things worked. Mr. Dixon was president of the same bank and President of First National Bank. He had confidence in my ability and knowledge and offered me the CFO position. I will always be grateful to both of them.
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: I grew up as a military brat living everywhere from the east coast to the west coast and as far north as Churchill, Canada.