Ensuring Diversity: FDIC

By Brian Elvir

Estefania Sasone, FDIC Compliance Examiner, never thought she would be working for the federal government. Destiny took charge and the rest is history. As a Latina employee at FDIC, Sasone understands that her job not only entails maintaining public onfidence in the U.S. financial system, but representing Latinos as well.

FDIC Compliance Examiner Estefania Sasone has seized her moment and taken charge. She will be the first to acknowledge, however, that opportunities are like golden doors. Her career in the federal government has confirmed the need for representation in leadership positions. She affirms, “The make-up of the government simply does not match the make-up of the U.S.,” respectively. The FDIC, along with Sasone, is working to stifle this disproportionate trend.

As a first-generation U.S. student, Sasone earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management from Woodbury University of Burbank. At Woodbury, she served as a peer mentor and teacher’s aide for macro and micro-economics. She began her career at a public relations agency in advertising, but felt compelled to do something more to help others in her local community. As she began seeking opportunities for professional growth, Sasone determined the mission and vision of the FDIC were cohesive with her personal and professional aspirations, and accepted an employment offer.

The FDIC, a leading financial regulatory agency, recognizes the need to fill their workforce with people like Sasone who have not only the qualifications and drive to meet its mission, but the perspective and passion that a diverse upbringing affords. The corporation strives to leverage the differences in others to create a positive work atmosphere that promotes equality and delivers on a high-performance culture. The corporation boasts of a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan that was created to prioritize equal employment opportunities within the organization. As part of that initiative, Sasone has served on the FDIC Chairman’s Diversity Advisory Council (CDAC), an employee-based committee that discusses areas of cultural diversity and inclusion. Each regional site has its own Council which reports to the headquarters board, thereby advocating a nationwide initiative for diversity in the workplace. In support of the advancement of initiatives designed to create opportunities for the FDIC to reach populations of women, minorities, and veterans, Ms. Sasone also serves as a Corporate Recruiter for the FDIC. Through this role, she provides students advanced money management skills to build wealth, and provide strategies for leveraging education to land impactful careers.

Sasone believes that her work at the FDIC has been rewarding to her in terms of benefits and the public service she provides. She admits that as a minority, both as a woman and Latina, working for the federal government was not on her radar. But even though it did not seem like an obvious career path at first, she can’t see herself working anywhere else. Her advice: Don’t limit yourself either by job description or lack of minorities in your industry. Be confident and authentic. Your bravery and success may inspire others like you to do the same.