Our June AllStar is known for her helpful, humble, and caring demeanor. Latanya began her journey with AllSouth over 15 years ago and has lent a helping hand in various departments over that time. Let’s learn more about June AllStar!
Latanya applied at AllSouth after a friend, and current AllSouth employee, encouraged her to apply for an open position in our Member Answer Center (MAC). After a few years with MAC, Latanya made a shift to our back office. She worked in various departments like Card Services and Account Servicing before moving to the Member Account Support department.
Latanya is the team lead for our Member Account Support department. As team lead, Latanya serves as the first point of contact for the department. The Member Account Support department provides account assistance and support to our members ranging from managing deceased member accounts, quality assurance, and account research. They also work to ensure our member information is up to date and accurate.
The most rewarding part of her role as team lead is being able to provide support and guidance to her team, helping to answer questions as things come up. Even when she's unsure of the answer, Latanya is resourceful and will work hard to find the information her team needs.
Latanya shared that her favorite memory over the years has been the relationships she’s built with her co-workers. Latanya is known as the “party-planner” for her department. Latanya and her coworker Pepper plan a theme and decorate for each team member's birthday. "When I became team lead, I wanted to show my appreciation for the hard work our department puts in. I'm grateful to work with a group that doesn't hesitate to help or assist one another. And besides, who doesn't love a good party," Latanya said.
Her team says she goes above and beyond to make others feel celebrated and has a gift for giving back and making others feel special.
"Latanya is the glue that holds our department together. It’s so much a part of her nature to do things for others that I don’t think she realizes the incredible impact she has had on each of us individually as well as on the entire team. She is an invaluable employee who continues to learn and grow each day while serving our members and the AllSouth family." - Kristin, Member Account Support manager
While she still works closely handling member accounts, her current role is much different than her time spent in MAC. Latanya explained that she’s still on the phone quite often but spends less time speaking directly with members and more time assisting branch employees. She does, however, have the chance to provide support to the families of deceased members, guiding them through the necessary procedures to settle their loved ones' accounts after their passing. “When you get a call to help family members, you need to have a sincere and empathic heart,” she explained. “They already went through a tough time, and going through these types of documents and financials, you want to make sure these families are being cared for.”
Latanya’s passion for helping others isn’t confined to AllSouth. Outside of work, Latanya is committed to serving others through her volunteer work. On the weekends, Latanya and her friends get together to cook meals for the homeless as well as handing out clothing.
"Latanya's willingness to help others is evident and it shows in her work and everyday life. She is thoughtful, kindhearted and very talented, and those are just a few of the remarkable qualities that make her such a special person. She is well organized and efficient which ensures that our members receive the best service possible. She is a crucial part of MAS and an invaluable member of the AllSouth Team, and it is a pleasure to work with her. She is an amazing friend and co-worker." - Pepper, Member Account Support representative
In her free time, Latanya likes to spend her weekends crafting. "Working with my hands and creating things is calming for me," Latanya said. Most recently she created “money bouquets” for Mother’s Day and graduations. Latanya also enjoys thrifting, specifically shopping for vintage clothing, jewelry, and purses. While she's out thrifting, she's also likely to purchase items for a friend or family member that she thinks they would like. For those looking to get into thrifting, Latanya recommends knowing what you're looking for before you go into the store, check each item thoroughly for flaws, and be patient.
When asked about the best financial advice she’s received, Latanya said, “Start saving early. Also, create a budget and stick to it.”