Patty Juarez is one of the highest-ranking executives at Wells Fargo, and she has earned that distinction every step of the way. Juarez began her career at Wells Fargo in 1995 where she has had several leadership roles. She served as the president of the Wells Fargo Latin Connection for four years, an employee resource group with more than 15,000 members and 47 chapters across the country. She’ll also attend this year’s AVANCE Global.
“I’m really excited about coming together with such outstanding trailblazers and incredible thought leaders around the country,” Juarez says. “Every year, the topics are so relevant and top-of-mind for the participants, and this year is no exception.”
Those topics span AI, real estate, and sports as well as the Thrive and Lead track, but just as important, the EVP says, is the chance to connect, in person, with longtime colleagues and new friends—and to forge the kind of relationships that turn into long-term partnerships.
Over three decades at Wells Fargo, Juarez has built those kinds of partnerships, focusing on access and wealth-building. In 2016, she built the business case for a new commercial-banking role, helping establish a more intentional strategy for serving entrepreneurs. In 2023, she began focusing on strengthening the bank’s engagement with communities.
Juarez’s practice is grounded in what she calls the “Three C’s”: customers, community, and colleagues. Whether someone is opening a first account, managing credit, buying a home, or launching a new business, the EVP believes financial literacy is a critical skill that can help turn goals into actionable plans for the bank’s clients.
The executive’s dance card is eternally full. One look at her LinkedIn is enough to underline Juarez’s dedication to being a true community representative for Wells Fargo.
“I travel all over the country so I can be present with our partners, because I know that showing up is critical,” Juarez says. “That can be tough to balance with my role as a mother, but I make it work. I have to relearn that lesson every once in a while, when my body reminds me, but I’m just grateful to be passionate about these different roles I have in my life.”
As Juarez’s own children have gotten older, she’s seen firsthand the importance of financial literacy in action. The EVP says she did her best to make sure her kids understood basic budgeting, saving, and money management from an early age.
“I’ve seen young people get to college, receive all of those credit card offers, and I just want to help as many young people understand what it means to make responsible decisions,” Juarez says. “It’s such an overwhelming time, and I think there’s a lot that needs to be done to help kids understand their finances. That focus has remained hugely important during my time at Wells Fargo.”
Whether you have a question about building lasting financial partnerships, internal resource groups, leadership advice, or you’re just trying to get your kid to care about their financial future, make sure to say hello to the Wells Fargo executive.
