For Juneteenth this year, Fremont Bank in partnership with the Black Professionals at Fremont Bank would like to shine the spotlight on an associate who has been producing outstanding work since her arrival – Taisha Chappell! Taisha has 23 years of experience in information technology and has been with Fremont Bank for 10 years!
Taisha’s career path
Her role when she first joined Fremont Bank was as an Application Support Analyst for the Residential Lending department. This was a newer role that she was not familiar with due to the mortgage process associated with the position. The learning curve did not deter Taisha. The position included providing support for internal users with various applications that are used throughout the mortgage process. She updated and maintained an FAQ repository and trained new Application Support Analysts all while conducting multiple audits each year.
Taisha has gone above and beyond by developing relationships with each department she assists and quickly became known as the SME (subject matter expert) for these applications and troubleshooting scenarios. She was then promoted to Senior Application Support Analyst during the implementation of a new loan origination system that she had to learn, as it would be a new application to support. She was eager to learn all the new processes and become the SME in her new position.
Recently Taisha has been promoted again to a new role at the organization within the Information Security department as a Jr. Engineer and Analyst. Taisha’s new role and responsibilities are to maintain the health of our security devices and monitor network activity for anomalies. In addition, she actively prevents and responds to potential threats to the bank’s computing environment.
Taisha is also involved in the vendor management process and business continuity planning. She consistently demonstrates Fremont Bank’s core value of “Success through Partnership” since her arrival 10 years ago. We’re so excited to be able to share just a small piece of her exceptional and successful journey!
How would you describe your personality?
I would say I am a smart, funny, unique and shy individual. I have been told that I am a very bubbly person as well.
What advice would you give to a new hire at Fremont Bank?
Be open to the learning process and learning curves. Apply yourself diligently, knowing that over time – if it’s something new to you or you are not used to the work – you will acquire the knowledge base to perform the job successfully.
During your time at Fremont Bank, what project challenged you the most?
The Loansphere project. As I was learning about the new system, while continuing my existing work, I was also training the other members of the team. During this project, I received a promotion to a Senior Application Support Analyst for Residential Lending. Outside of learning the new LOS (Loansphere), I supported 27 other applications that I was the SME for.
What do you enjoy most about your job today?
Currently I am a Jr. Information Security Engineer and Analyst, but during my time here at Fremont Bank, I have found that I enjoy most working in a support role by helping many applications I manage and fixing issues as they arise. I love being part of a team that keeps the bank running by supporting their applications along with knowing that the users/associates can complete their daily tasks and assignments to perform their jobs well, without issue.
What led you to become an engineer/analyst for cyber security?
My interest in cyber security and to broaden my knowledge of the different security tools and applications that are utilized to protect the organization as a whole. I wanted to learn something new that continued to support others, and cyber security was missing in my skill set from the many years of IT support and knowledge I have.
What is your greatest strength?
I am a team player and enjoy working with my team and learning from my team.
Who is your favorite superhero?
My mother. Growing up, I watched her and admired her intelligence, strength, faith and the support she provided to me. Because of her strong character, her teachings instilled within me the belief that I would be able to accomplish my goals. Through my upbringing she is the reason I am the woman I am today.
What is your favorite phrase?
Well, I really have two phrases I really love: “Dance like nobody’s watching.” To me, this means to live your life freely without fear of judgment and doing what makes you happy. You can do and accomplish what is best for you on your own terms and not someone else’s. My other favorite quote is, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” To me, this means you show kindness because that is how you want to be treated.
Do you have a hobby outside of Fremont Bank?
Yes, I do. I love theater, and I have even starred in a few plays. “Alice in Wonderland,” where I was the queen, a murder mystery dinner play and I was the main character role at the Black Repertory Theatre in Berkeley for a play named “Makin History.”
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