LaToya Rowell serves as the Vice President and National Community Affairs Manager for Comerica Bank. In this role, she is charged with overseeing external community initiatives and partnerships, Business Resource Groups (BRGs), and corporate volunteerism.
“Volunteerism is really ingrained in our culture,” Rowell explains. “We have a nationally recognized volunteer program, and it’s something that we’ve worked very hard to build here. When people come to Comerica, I think they see a lot of us being in our community. And that’s one of the things that draws a lot of people to Comerica, having that ability to be a part of your community and giving your time and sweat equity.”
In addition to managing the 19 BRGs that support diversity outreach efforts across the bank’s five primary markets, Rowell also helps develop and implement Comerica’s corporate responsibility strategy. She works in partnership with the external affairs market managers to identify volunteer opportunities that strengthen the bank’s community outreach and financial education initiatives.
“We served more than 100,000 individuals last year,” Rowell says of Comerica’s financial education and empowerment efforts. “I would say it’s been a great impact to our communities–helping to bridge an information gap.”
Rowell notes that Comerica’s financial education outreach allows company volunteers to be instrumental in steering the next generation of leaders, perhaps even future colleagues who are going to be one day working possibly in financial services.
Additionally, financial literacy can also help business owners strengthen their businesses.
“We know that when our communities thrive, we thrive, so it’s an equal partnership.”
She adds, “We also bring in the next generation of leaders, of customers, of partners, and make sure that they have the tools and the resources to be successful.”
In addition to her role in managing volunteerism for the bank, Rowell also oversees the company’s Business Resource Groups which are the boots on the ground in diverse communities that Comerica serves, they are the connectors to those communities.
Groups like LGBT, Hispanic, African American, Middle Eastern, Asian Pacific Islanders, Women and others. The BRGs go out and bring back information needed to support those communities and to support that demographic.
“Our BRGs work hand in hand with community partners, with business leaders, centers of influence to make sure that Comerica is doing all it can in support of those communities. And we believe that the impact has been astronomical,” Rowell explains.
A loving aunt and godmother, Rowell joined Comerica in 2006 holding various positions of increasing responsibility, including business affairs coordinator, contributions and volunteer coordinator, corporate contributions budget specialist, contributions officer, and community affairs coordinator.
In 2022, Rowell received one of Rolling Out Magazine’s Sisters with Superpowers awards, which celebrates multi-generations of women in entrepreneurship, business, fashion, the arts and entertainment for their career accomplishments and contribution to society and culture as well as creating safe spaces for others. Under Rowell’s leadership, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship South named Comerica its 2022 Corporate Volunteer of the Year.
Rowell, a proud University of North Texas Alumni Association member, earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree and a Certificate in Volunteer and Community Resource Management from UNT. She also holds a degree in Multimedia Design with an emphasis in Multimedia Production from the Art Institute of Dallas.
Rowell notes that her favorite of Comerica’s core values is “One Comerica.”
“I think that when we’re all pulling our weight, if we’re all doing things to impact the community, look at how successful we could be. When we’re all doing everything that we can to impact our customers and our potential customers–we impact our communities. Great things can be done, and I’ve seen it happen. I love working for Comerica, and I know that we are great corporate stewards, and that One Comerica value really shows up across the board.”