Meet Amrit Walia, Senior Vice President, and Regional Managing Director of Wells Fargo Private Bank, who believes in living life to the fullest, facing each day with courage and purpose and doing her best to help others and improve the world around her. “I have been blessed with a wonderful family and diverse and culturally rich upbringing. Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by strong and inspiring people and provided with opportunities to learn and grow as a person,” says Amrit. She considers herself lucky or perhaps better defined as blessed.
She is inspired by a quote of Blaze Olamiday “Success in life is by opportunity and preparation, instead of sitting around waiting for luck, get up and go find your luck.”
“Building meaningful connections with your team and clients, move forward with clear purpose and strive to make a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives”
Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between Insights Success and Amrit Walia:
Give a brief overview of your background.
Amrit is the Regional Managing Director for Wells Fargo Wealth Management, responsible for leading the Private Bank business in New Jersey. As a senior leader in the region, Ms. Walia is responsible for leading a team of over 300 financial professionals committed to delivering an exceptional experience for clients of Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Private Bank. She actively leads advisors who help clients meet their wealth management needs through a variety of wealth planning, investment management, private banking, trust services, insurance and integrated financial solutions. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Ms. Walia worked at Merrill Lynch Private Bank and Investment Group, where she was a National Sales Manager. She has been in the financial services industry for more than 20 years. Ms. Walia earned her MBA from Hofstra University. She is also on the Board of Princeton Day School, Board of Trustees of the Princeton Healthcare System Foundation, Board of Trustees of the Arts Council of Princeton, and Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She is a supporter of the All Stars Project, Boys and Girls Club of America, the Arts Council of Princeton, the American Cancer Society, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the Developments in Literacy Organization. Ms. Walia resides in Princeton, New Jersey with her family.
As a leader how is Covid- impacting your life as well as business and what’s your plan about it?
The global pandemic has had a far-reaching and detrimental impact on our personal lives and the overall state of our communities. My primary focus is to provide for the health and safety of my family, my colleagues and our local community here in New Jersey. While the current environment imposes limitations on the way we go about living our daily lives and serving our clients, we remain focused on providing proactive support to those we are committed to serve and care for and have been able to do so in a virtual environment for the most part. In addition, it is critical to the long-standing welfare of our local communities that we remain committed to supporting the non-profit organizations and municipal and healthcare workers that safeguard our residents. It is through the work that my team and I do with these important organizations that we can better support our communities in need during this challenging time.
As a leader or a colleague what is your plans to keep your employee safe from this Chinese virus?
Covid 19 is a global pandemic that has endangered people across the globe both physically and financially. On the local level, we have done all we can to provide opportunities for our team to work virtually in the security of their own homes. In addition, we have provided education and resources to safeguard their health should they need to move about locally with masks, gloves, sanitizers, and other necessary resources. We have also built dedicated support teams to provide guidance and support on how to get medical care and other services should they need it. In our offices, we have enhanced cleaning services in our facilities and provided the necessary infrastructure and social distancing guidelines where team members need to go into the office.
After all this success, what do you struggle with now?
My personal and professional lives have been truly fulfilling. With many interests and responsibilities, the greatest challenge always seems to be finding balance across the broad spectrum of activities I am engaged in. Time is one of our most precious and fleeting resources and often seems to be in short supply.
Do you think women feel intimidated in business?
I think everyone can find themselves feeling intimidated in business at different points on their professional journey. Women as a whole have had to overcome many obstacles throughout history to have the same opportunities as men in most industries, as well as in politics and government. The struggle for equality is real and has impacted women socially and professionally. It is through courage, persistence and a commitment to moving forward individually and collectively that we will succeed and overcome the odds.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
The most honest and direct response to that question is, no. I say this not because every decision I made was perfect, but because I don’t believe in looking back or living with regret. Setting my sights on the horizon and moving forward with purpose is the way I choose to live my life. I try to learn from my mistakes and grow as a person but I don’t look back.
What specific advice would you have for young women who would like to become an entrepreneur?
My advice to women and young people as a whole is to fearlessly pursue their dreams, to be true to themselves and live each life with courage, imagination and their whole heart and soul.
