Page 8 - Crossroads: September 2015 | Issue 9

Employee Profiles
Zhanna Fish
From Latvia to LA
What is your top work issue?
Competition is fierce. My clients are constantly being pursued by other institutions. They insist on immediate access to matters that, traditionally, can take a while. That disconnect can be a challenge.
Do you have any words of advice for your colleagues?
“When in doubt, wear red,” said fashion icon Bill Blass. To me, that means go for it even when you doubt yourself. Also, some days call for a great pair of red heels.
What were the biggest challenges in your career?
I think my biggest challenge has always been caution. I measure twice and cut once. But sometimes you have to seize the moment. .
What is your life/work philosophy?
I believe in working hard and smart and being respectful of others and their opinions. Also, education is vital. The bank’s investment in professional devel- opment is immensely useful.
Whom do you admire most?
The two women who made me who I am today are my mom and Robin Vahoviak, Branch Manager, Los Angeles Main. My mom is decisive, resilient, and reliable. “A Russian woman will not be afraid to run into a house on fire or to stop a galloping horse” is a Russian saying that perfectly describes my mom. Robin is my friend, mentor, and role model. I am lucky to be the recipient of her wisdom, efforts, and guidance.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Riga, Latvia, USSR. I have fond memories of Latvia including
Soviet-era parades and gathering berries in the forests. When I was 12, we moved to California where there were 100 different candy bars and 45-cent ice cream cones. In the USSR, we needed special coupons just to buy sugar and flour.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher, and I think I became one because I teach folks how to use money every day.
What are some of your favorite places?
I love New York and Las Vegas. Each is so full of life, and you can always catch a show!
How do you balance your career and family life?
As newlyweds, my husband and I are still learning how to balance our professional and family time. We make a point to eat dinner together and spend time with family and friends.
How do you reenergize after work?
I take a 30-minute “Me Moment.” I don’t talk to anyone or read, or watch anything. I just hang with Roma, our dog, and after 30 minutes I’m ready for the world again.
What do you have on your Kindle?
Books. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan has been a staple for years. Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson is a recent favorite.
What are three words that describe you?
Loyal, resilient, and dependable.
For internal use only
Crossroads
After growing up in Latvia, Zhanna Fish moved with her family to California and is now a Private Banker with the Los Angeles South Team, where she brings the breadth of the bank’s resources to our most affluent clients. In her 17 years in the banking industry, she has been a teller, operations assistant, account representative, and sales manager. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Computer Science. Then the Internet bubble burst, and while searching for programming work, she says, “I realized that banking was more fulfilling.”
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