The NCBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council was established based on two key ideas:

  1. All Americans should have a truly equal opportunity to prosper, and
  2. Economic inclusion is absolutely necessary when creating these opportunities.

Members of the DE&I Council meet regularly to provide input on ways that the NCBA can provide leadership on racial equality and to identify resources the organization can provide for its members to help with diversity and inclusion efforts. We believe that strength comes from diversity and inclusion, and this council is an important step for North Carolina’s banking industry.


Together, we will advocate, influence and help to build sustainable Diversity, Equity and Inclusion capabilities that ensure racial, gender and ethnic equality in the banking industry. We believe in equality – we will work to ensure equality – that’s our commitment.

  • Workforce Development & Hiring
  • DE&I Strategy & Education
  • Community Partnerships & Financial Literacy

Are you ready to begin your DEI journey? Then look no further than the DEI Roadmap! Our council has put together a variety of resources that will lead you through the process of starting your own DEI initiatives at your bank.


Jumeekah Ingram

First Carolina Bank

jumeekahingram@firstcarolinabank.com

984-689-3686

Irene Kyere

Southern First Bank
ikyere@southernfirst.com
336-337-7338

LaQuan Lucas-Harris

First Bank
llucasharris@localfirstbank.com
252-373-0475

Ola McClean

Bank of America
ola.mcclean@bofa.com

Channing McDowell

United Bank
channing.mcdowel@bankwithunited.com

Sheldon Osborne

TD Bank
sheldon.osborne@td.com
980-221-4514

Shakeira Tennort

JPMorgan Chase
shakeira.tennort@chase.com
704-267-3548


Michael Atkinson

First Citizens Bank

mike.atkinson@firstcitizens.com

919-716-7280

Almeda Benefield

Providence Bank
abenefield@pbknc.com

Vivian Bolanos

First Citizens Bank

vivian.bolanos@firstcitizens.com

828-257-5758

Sondra Collins

North State Bank

scollins@northstatebank.com

919-645-4983

Philip Fintchre

Fifth Third Bank
philip.fintchreii@53.com

Sheldon Hilaire

TD Bank
sheldon.hilaire@td.com
803-324-1855

Johnathan Kearney

PNC Bank

johnathan.kearney@pnc.com

919-788-5816

Nick Means

Farmers & Merchants Bank
nmeans@fmbnc.com
704-762-2260

Eva Ogden

Pinnacle Financial Partners
eva.ogden@pnfp.com
336-881-3371

Eric Powell

M&F Bank
eric.powell@mfbonline.com
919-536-0123

José Sandoval

First Citizens Bank

jose.sandoval@firstcitizens.com

336-412-4143

Shannon Sutton

First Carolina Bank

shannonsutton@firstcarolinabank.com

919-665-3043


Janice Royster

Community Bank Services
janice@ncbankers.org
984-344-9998

Peter Gwaltney

North Carolina Bankers Association
peter@ncbankers.org
984-344-9999

John Sullivan

North Carolina Bankers Association

 johns@ncbankers.org
919-781-7979

Michelle Sutton

North Carolina Bankers Association
michelle@ncbankers.org
984-344-9980