Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ramon O. Looby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ramon O. , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.
My story is an anomaly. I grew up in what would be considered a disadvantaged portion of Miami-Dade County. I attended a public school that needed more resources than schools in other areas had. I was fortunate to be a part of a program that allowed me to attend a “gifted” program hosted by an elementary school some 15 miles away from where I lived. While attending that program, I was exposed to the principles of capital markets – specifically the stock market. I participated in the first statewide “Stock Market” Game for elementary students in Florida. Not to date myself, but I was a part of the winning team in the Fall of 1993. Three decades later, I serve as the Maryland Bankers Association’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
There is no doubt my experiences helped to shape the interests and trajectory of my career. This exposure also helped me better understand how to navigate important discussions impacting my financial journey and financial health. However, like I said in the beginning, my story is rare. Society can benefit from a commitment to offering financial literacy education to everyone from kindergarten to seniors in high school. Empirical evidence suggests that the more financial education a consumer has, the greater the likelihood she will make better choices and, taken together over a lifetime, offer an incredible advantage to those who do not have the same level of financial savvy.
My recommendation is simple: support the addition of financial education as a core component of our education system;. At the same time, not everyone will leverage what they learned in biology class, and students have a real chance to empower themselves for a lifetime of better decisions and achieving the financial goals they set forth for themselves.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As President and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA), the only Maryland-based trade group representing the interests and needs of over 60 banks and thrifts in the state. I lead a team of professionals who promote the strength and success of Maryland’s banks and bankers and foster a positive and collaborative relationship with regulators, legislators, media, and other stakeholders.
I am closing in on two decades of experience in a public affairs career that has taken me around the world and back. I have a proven track record of developing and implementing effective strategies to represent and advocate industry priorities and influence at all levels of government. I have testified before various committees and agencies, managed complex policy issues, and served in leadership roles in national and international organizations.
I have also received multiple awards and honors for my professional achievements and dedication to the community. Additionally, I have been featured and quoted in several publications and programs as an expert in banking and finance. I currently serve on the boards and councils of several economic development and educational nonprofit organizations, contributing to their missions and goals. I am passionate about advancing the role that banks play in our communities and supporting their vital role in Maryland’s economy.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Engage, engage, engage. Be there for them to support and offer guidance. Be there to set the collective goal and to ensure the team doesn’t lose the objective. Most importantly, be there to lead by example. Words set the frame, actions set the culture.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media involves a combination of strategy, consistency, engagement, and content creation. But most importantly you should strive to add value to followers and stakeholders at large. I was an early social media adopter. However, I did not learn to leverage the platform properly until the last decade or so. By adding value and honing your message or brand, you can become a source that adds value to all those who engage with you in the social media space.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mdbankers.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonlooby/
Image Credits
Washington Post; Maryland Bankers Association; Ramon O. Looby