Photography by Danny Fulgencio
As vice president and private client advisor at Bank of America Private Bank, Annette Anderson connects high-net-worth individuals and institutions to solutions that can help them reach their financial goals. She serves on the boards of the Parkland Foundation, Dallas Arboretum and Booker T. Washington High School, where her 16-year-old daughter is a student. Anderson serves on a Cattle Barons’ committee to raise money for cancer research — a topic she is passionate about because her father is a survivor. She is a member of the Dallas Assembly and The Links, Incorporated, which is a volunteer group for African- American women who give back to the community by educating and inspiring girls, particularly in the areas of STEM or STEAM.

On Challenges

Most challenging career moment:

“In the private- and investment-banking world, there are very few African Americans and African-American women. I feel as though I’m establishing myself. I’ve had to stay the course. Some excellent women helped, and I’ve had wonderful support systems. I love the business.”

On Gender Discrimination

“Earlier in my career, a person who was supposed to train me had some biases against women. He just wasn’t sure that I was as smart as I was. Fast forward about six years after that, this gentleman told me how proud he was of me. You have to show up and do the best that you can. I think that proved to be a real help for me in the long term.”

On Hiring

What she looks for in employees:

“I look for people who are coachable and enjoy what they do. Private banking is all relationship based. People have to buy into that we’re all there to help the client. It’s not about you or me. It’s really about the team.”

On Intuition

Advice to her younger self:

Don’t be so concerned with what others think because at the end of the day, this is my journey. Each stage that you’ve gone through is preparing you for the future. Trust your intuition. It’s a gift.

On Accomplishments

Most proud of:

“I went through a divorce several years ago, and I am proud that my daughter and I made it through. We did not miss a beat, which I have so much gratitude for. We had excellent support systems and good friends.”

On Advice

The best advice she’s ever received:

“There’s always good that can come out of every situation. That has shaped how I navigate and move through my life.”

On Leadership

How she defines a strong leader:

“An individual who sees the end goal, but also understands that you can’t do everything by yourself. A strong leader is one who can bring those parts together to accomplish the end goal while listening, coaching and helping for the greater good.”

On Balance

Advice for achieving work-life balance:

“My work doesn’t feel like work. I love what I do, and I call it a lifestyle business. At this phase in my life, I look at what the return is on what I’m doing. If I don’t feel as though there’s an imminent return, then I feel as though that time is better spent with my family or improving myself.”

On Giving Back

How she would spend $1 million on her neighborhood:

“Given that our neighborhood has had some of the highest cases of COVID-19, I would utilize the money to partner with Parkland Hospital with a focus on public health.”

On Societal Issues

The biggest problem that our community faces:

“Affordable housing and education. At some point, we really are going to have to address the southern sector. We need to deal with issues there, such as food, education, housing and jobs.”

On Dallas

What she’s learned from her work on various boards:

“Dallas is a hugely philanthropic community, and there are so many wonderful things that this city offers.”

On Legacy

How she would like to be remembered:

“As someone who was passionate about what they did, loved life and lived the best life ever. I also want to be remembered as someone who made an impact in her community and on her family.”