On October 29, 2024, Felicia Kadima sat down for an insightful informational interview, sharing her remarkable educational and career journey. Her story is one of determination, shaped by early experiences that sparked her interest in business and banking.
Felicia’s story begins with her immigrant parents, who moved to the United States from Africa, and her upbringing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One vivid memory from her childhood stands out:
“I remember being with my mom walking through the streets of downtown Milwaukee, with all these beautiful glass buildings, and I would see these ladies that would either be working in these buildings or coming out of these buildings.”
This image of professional women in the city’s heart ignited Felicia’s passion. “I told my mom, I want to work in one of those buildings, I want to be one of those ladies,” she recalled. This moment, though simple, set the trajectory of her future aspirations.
Felicia’s path took shape when she entered high school. There, she discovered a passion for business, thanks to an unexpected encounter with a typing class. Her typing teacher, who also taught business courses, encouraged her to enroll in accounting. “She was the person that introduced me to the business curriculum,” Felicia said. This introduction led to a deep interest in the subject and set her on the path toward a career in finance.
As her senior year approached, Felicia discovered an internship program called INROADS, which offers marginalized youth, internships with major corporations while they attend college. The program aimed to provide full-time positions after graduation. Felicia seized this opportunity and was accepted into a JP Morgan Chase Bank internship. “Since the age of 18, I have been in banking for my entire career,” Felicia shared. Although she briefly left the banking industry to work for a nonprofit as a case manager, providing financial advice to clients, she was drawn back to banking.
Felicia Kadima’s career journey has been shaped by her academic path and the opportunities she seized. When she first entered college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, she initially decided to major in accounting, thinking it would be her ideal career. However, as Kadima progressed through her coursework, her perspective changed. As a result, Kadima made a pivotal decision:
“I decided to change my major from accounting to an emphasis in finance.”
During her college years, Kadima didn’t just focus on her studies—she also worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank each summer, rotating through different departments such as retail, accounting, marketing, and commercial banking. During the school year, she continued to gain practical experience, which would prove invaluable to her career. Her hard work and commitment paid off. Upon graduation, the bank immediately offered her a position as an Analyst, reviewing and spreading company financial statements in their Corporate and Commercial Banking division. This transition marked the beginning of a long and successful career in banking.
For the past 30 years, Kadima has been deeply involved in the financial services industry working for large regional banks. Reflecting on her career, she emphasized the versatility of finance:
“In terms of finance, that’s the beautiful thing about it, there’s so many different ways that you can go. And whatever information you pick up from one, you can use in all different areas.”
These similarities between various sectors of the financial world have allowed Kadima to navigate different roles, bringing a wealth of experience to each position she’s held.
Felicia’s tenure in banking has allowed her to work in various roles within the Corporate and Commercial Banking sector, from credit underwriting, risk management and compliance, and portfolio management, to relationship management. One of Kadima’s favorite aspects of her roles has been working with various CEOs and CFOs of privately held companies. This has exposed her to hundreds of different business types, structures, and industries. She exclaims “ I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly”. “But what I love most was the opportunities that allowed me to connect with clients on a personal level”. “I have always had a knack for establishing good rapport with clients, gaining their trust, and adding value to them. “I really like what I do for the bank,” she shared. Still, she also envisioned something more.“I’ve always had that entrepreneurial mindset,” she said, explaining that she is in the early stages of creating a consulting company to help businesses develop solid financial strategies and systems to support their business objectives. Her entrepreneurial efforts also connect her to influential people like Dr. Alisha M. Franklin, who owns Hera Hub Temecula, a coworking space and business accelerator for entrepreneurial women. Kadima praised the platform, which provides women with educational workshops, connections to business experts, and visibility within the community. Kadima states,
“It is vital that women have spaces where they can receive support and resources to launch a business successfully, and Hera Hub offers that.”
Felicia Kadima’s career in the financial industry has been shaped by resilience and confidence, especially as a woman of color. Even now, she often finds herself as the only person of color in the room, frequently in meetings dominated by men. Rather than viewing this as an obstacle or a challenge, Kadima has learned to approach these situations with a positive and empowering mindset. “I had to deal with this many times as a woman of color,” she said. “Sometimes I would deal with situations and wonder, was it simply because of being a woman of color? But I decided that when I’m at work or in these meetings, I am there as a banker. I’m not there as a woman of color, I’m not there as a woman—I am there as a banker, just like everyone else.” This shift in perspective helped her embrace her role with confidence. This allowed her to build stronger relationships with colleagues, clients, and senior executives. “Once I was able to do that, it helped increase my confidence,” she shared.
Kadima’s approach to balancing her identity with her professional role is empowering. While she doesn’t feel the need to emphasize her African American heritage in the workplace, Kadima acknowledges that her culture and background shape how she interacts with others. “I’m not saying you should forget about your culture,” she said.
“I’m always going to be who I am. Part of who I am comes from my culture… How I engage with my colleagues and customers, and how I bring my unique experiences to the table, is part of who I am and how I show up.”
Felicia’s perspective is a powerful reminder that embracing one’s identity, while remaining focused on professional goals, leads to greater confidence and success in any field.
When asked what had been pivotal to her career advancement, Kadima responded straightforwardly: hard work and a commitment to excellence. “My willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done and add value made a difference,” she explained. She emphasized the importance of being a great team player and a reliable employee and consistently demonstrating the skill set needed to succeed.
“At the end of the day, no one cares about your education or if you’re nice—what matters is how you contribute to the department. “The key for me has been that spirit of excellence in everything that I do,” she said.
Kadima’s career journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of consistently delivering exceptional results, even in adversity. Her story inspires others to focus on their strengths and strive to make meaningful contributions.
Felicia Kadima is a seasoned financial services executive with over 20 years of experience, combining a keen understanding of asset protection with a sensitivity to business development needs. Her extensive background in corporate and commercial banking, coupled with her strategic approach to risk evaluation and market analysis, has established her as a thought leader in the industry. Felicia’s commitment to continuous improvement and community engagement drives her passion for setting businesses up for financial success, making her a valuable asset to any organization or individual seeking to optimize their financial strategies.
Felicia Kadima contact: www.linkedin.com/in/feliciakadimajohnson
Itsarely Palma Castillo, a proud Hispanic and first-generation college student, is in their third year at California State University San Marcos, pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on finance. They are passionate about building community and fostering connections, both on campus and beyond. Itsarely also serves on the CSUSM Foundation Board, where they contribute to discussions on university growth and financial strategies, gaining valuable insight into nonprofit governance and financial management. These experiences align with their goal of pursuing a career in finance, where they aim to make a meaningful impact in both the corporate and community sectors.
Itsarely Palma Castillo contact: www.linkedin.com/in/itsarely-palma-castillo-b77099215
