Position: Lead Regulatory Reporting Analyst Employer: Discover Financial Services Age: 36 Rachael Mears knows how to work under pressure after serving as a financial specialist at the then-Delaware Economic Development Office just as the 2008 financial crisis hit. Soon after, Mears was promoted to the office’s director of capital resources and appointed to the Governor’s Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Now, she works as the lead regulatory reporting analyst at Discover Financial Services, where she ensures that the company is following federal regulations. Once again finding herself in a national emergency, Mears has helped her company implement the evolving regulatory changes that are coming in response to the pandemic. Aiding that transition while working from home full-time with a 1-year-old and 4-year-old has been no small feat, but Mears has learned to stay positive, communicate openly, and remain focused on her goals while navigating challenging situations. During her four years with Discover, Mears has been promoted and received the company’s highest internal award for her work in regulatory education and compliance. She was also appointed to serve on an internal committee focused on expanding Discover’s community relationships throughout Delaware. Inspired by the people working on the front lines of the pandemic, Mears donated her time as a certified group fitness instructor in lieu of pay at a fitness facility that provided free meals to teachers, health care employees, delivery and grocery personnel and first responders. Mears serves as treasurer for True Access Capital, a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution that provides affordable access to capital and technical assistance to small and minority-owned businesses in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Mears performed the salsa alongside her partner Dr. Anthony Falvello in the 2020 Delaware Dancing with the Stars to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club and Mom’s House of Dover. In her free time, Mears enjoys reading, listening to lectures, and diving into podcasts. She has recently been captivated by the work of Malcolm Gladwell.