BusinessWoman of the Year Celebration Brings Charlotte Leaders to Queens Campus

Leaders from across the city gathered for a luncheon on the Queens University of Charlotte campus to honor Ally’s President of Consumer and Commercial Banking, Diane “Di” Morais, as she became the 38th Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year.

“Many of you are very aware of Diane’s accomplishments in the business world,” said Belva Wallace Greenage, vice president of the U.S. broker sales division at Aflac and close friend of Morais. “Today, I want to share my intensely personal story of resilience and the role this woman has played in helping me survive and thrive.”

In a vulnerable and optimistic keynote speech, Greenage illustrated how Morais’ leadership extends far beyond the boardroom. She expressed gratitude for the impact Morais has had in her life during periods of life-threatening sickness and immense sadness, while offering attendees four life lessons she learned throughout it all.

As president of Consumer and Commercial Banking at Ally Financial Inc., Morais is the driving force behind the nation’s largest digital-only bank. Morais has demonstrated her commitment to financial and social inclusion as a servant leader throughout her career. Under her leadership, Ally became the first bank to fully eliminate overdraft fees – a burden that had been shown to greatly impact some of the nation’s most financially vulnerable consumers.

In her remarks, Morais expressed gratitude to all of the friends and mentors, both personal and professional, who have spurred her on throughout her career. She reflected on her journey with Ally since the bank’s early days in 2008.

“Three fundamental pillars have guided everything we do at Ally throughout this entire time: do it right, tirelessly innovate, and obsess over the customer,” said Morais. “It has been a dream of mine to be part of this incredible company and help shape the direction of where it is going. Thank you all for being my allies.”

During the luncheon, three female students from the McColl School of Business received the annual businesswoman scholarship at the event including undergraduate students Maria Duran Colin and Tanyita Jimenez; and MSTOD graduate student Michelle Martin.

“Queens began as a bold vision and that bold vision continues today as we work to establish a community free of biases, free of stereotypes and discrimination, and where we promote equity in everything that we do,” said Queens President Dan Lugo. “I believe that progress is being made, thanks in large part, to the inspiration and the achievements of the incredible women in this room.”

“A leader is someone who inspires change by empowering those around her. I think that is what you have done Di,” said previous Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year Tanya Blackmon, former executive vice president and chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer for Novant Health. “You have impacted Ally. You have impacted the community. You have impacted your family. We are here today to see you and celebrate you.”

For 37 years, the Queens University of Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award has celebrated the achievements of exceptional women professionals who exhibit leadership as defined by the values of Queens McColl School of Business – competence, character, and commitment to community.

Previous Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year winners include Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County manager; Peggy Brookhouse, former president of Luquire George Andrews (LGA); Carol Lovin, executive vice president and system chief of staff for Atrium Health; Theresa Drew, retired managing partner of Deloitte; Andrea B. Smith, former chief administrative officer of Bank of America; Susan Devore, former president and chief executive officer of Premier, Inc.; and Lynn Good, president and chief executive officer of Duke Energy.

To learn more about Diane Morais as well as the history of the award, visit our Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year webpage.