90 in 90: Abby Mrozinski, Wilmington Trust
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Before taking over Global Capital Markets at Wilmington Trust, Abby Mrozinski served as chief financial officer for the firm’s wealth and Institutional Client Services for four years and guided institutional clients for more than 15 years, by providing strategic support as a relationship manager and in various other capacities. In 2011, she was a key leader in the merger of Wilmington Trust and M&T Bank, making strategic recommendations to executive management in the risk management and long-term planning phases of the $351 million transaction. In 2019, Mrozinski was named to the national American Banker Most Powerful Women in Banking: NEXT list, which recognizes the top 15 women in the banking profession, under age 40.
In looking back at her rise to the upper echelons of the investment giant, she recognized three key areas to her success: consciously advancing her career, leading with empathy, and taking care of herself.
In rising through the ranks from her initial role in finance, Mrozinski broke out of her comfort zone with the support of mentors to take on relationship management. While she wanted to remain “among her spreadsheets and formulas,” it turned out that she had a knack for working with clients.
Mrozinski also recounted a change in career that she regretted and taught her she really did want to work in finance. In returning to her employer and apologizing for leaving, her new boss told her, ‘Don’t apologize, you learned more about your career in a few weeks than many do over years.”
As she grew to taking on leadership roles, she confessed that one concern that she had was that she doesn’t golf. Her boss then told her that he didn’t either and that it wouldn’t preclude her ability to succeed in her role. Being authentic allowed her to connect to her team and succeed.
In building trust with her team, she also stopped offering vague reasons for why she needed to leave the office to attend her children’s school events, games and meetings. Mrozinski started listing her family events on her company calendar to encourage her employees to do the same and realize that work shouldn’t interrupt a family life.
Here are all of Mrozinski’s suggested tips:
Advance your career
- Be strategic and intentional when making career decisions.
- Be open to trying new things.
- Raise your hand for the project work
- Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.
- Trust your instinct. Say no when it doesn’t feel right.
Lead with empathy
- Be authentic.
- Model a balanced approach to work and life.
- Build trust.
- Prioritize individual meetings throughout your organization.
Take Care of Yourself
- Build a diverse village.
- Know that it’s OK to not be OK.
Abby Mrozinski serves as the head of Global Capital Markets at Wilmington Trust.
