Board Member Spotlight – Joyce Odongo
We are pleased to introduce you to one of our outstanding board members, Joyce Odongo! Joyce is the Florida Community Development Officer for Bank OZK, a large regional bank concentrated in the southern U.S., with more than 200 branches in five states: Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.
Joyce has more than 20 years of experience in both the corporate and not for profit industries. She is passionate about financial literacy and has been instrumental in developing key relationships within the community, managing philanthropic efforts, addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income families and providing financial education seminars.
Prior to her current role, Joyce was the Vice President, Senior Community Development Consultant at Wells Fargo for the Central Florida Region where she represented the company in community and economic development activities. In this role, she established and maintained relationships with community organizations, such as activist groups, community agencies, nonprofits, and minority organizations.
Prior to working in the financial industry, Joyce was Community Relations Manager in Detroit where she focused on community advocacy for affordable housing, senior programing, small business and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance from Wayne State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Public and International Affairs with a specialization in Economic and Social Development as well as a Certificate in Managing Not for Profit Organizations.
Joyce is passionate about her community and currently serves on the following boards: Chair, City of Orlando Affordable Housing Advisory Commission; Board Secretary, the Black Business Investment Fund; UNCF Advisory Council; the Orlando Real Estate Foundation Board and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware (CCCSMD). She is married to her husband of 18 years and has two children. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and listening to music.
Joyce has some great advice to share with individuals who are seeking to improve their financial health:
“Your financial wellbeing is determined by your ability to control your spending and enhance your income. If you are trying to increase your financial health:
- Pay yourself first
- Create a budget
- Manage your credit wisely”
