For Judy Spencer, her proudest professional accomplishment is a photo in an advertisement.
The ad highlights BancorpSouth’s lenders and Spencer is the only woman pictured, something her daughter took note of.
“I have always considered myself just another member of the team, not fully realizing I am the only woman among many male leaders,” says Spencer, BancorpSouth senior vice president. “However, when my daughter saw the ad, she quickly called me and expressed how proud she was to see her mother standing among a group of men and being the only woman. She took the opportunity to thank me for not only being her mother but serving as a role model to never let her physical attributes stop her from reaching her goals.”
Spencer began her banking career in 1968 as a vice president at Union National Bank in Springfield, a position she also held at Boatmen’s Bank. Spencer continued to build her career through roles at Bank of America, The Bank and The Signature Bank before joining BancorpSouth in 2007.
Her approach to leading includes speaking less and listening more.
“I have been blessed by others helping me achieve success, and it is my obligation to make sure I do the same,” Spencer says. “How that influence happens is quite simple. Listening to others and discovering their true passion and then connecting them with others and mentoring them along the way to turn their passion into a reality of success.”
Although Spencer doesn’t see herself doing anything different from what other women do, Kim McNealy disagrees.
“Judy Spencer is one of the most influential people in my life,” says the vice president of operations for Mid-Missouri Bank, who has known Spencer for more than 30 years. Spencer hired McNealy as a part-time bank teller with no previous experience.
“She taught me, groomed me, believed in me and set an example for what I would become someday,” McNealy says. “She earned my respect by respecting me.”
Spencer’s community involvement includes her long affiliation with the North Springfield Betterment Association, a tie that dates to the 1980s. The group had disbanded, but with the help of Springfield attorney Ann Reed, the two women breathed new life into the organization. Spencer is NSBA’s treasurer, a board member of the NSBA Foundation and, last year, received the Pioneer Award in recognition of her work.
Spencer also has been active with Kiwanis International since 1992, having served her club three times as president and winning the Outstanding President Award in the process.
After losing her husband to a fast-moving cancer five years ago, Spencer joined forces with the American Cancer Society. Since its inaugural year in 2009, she has served as the finance chairperson for ACS’ annual Southwest Missouri Cattle Baron’s Ball.[[In-content Ad]]
