WILMA’s 2021 Leadership Institute, an annual nine-month program, gives area women the opportunity to learn from leaders in the region, visit a range of local companies, and serve as each others’ personal board of directors.

The program is part of WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, created to help develop more women leaders in our area.

Meet institute member LEAH DEMASTERS.

      Leah DeMasters

Title: Construction Specialist

Company: Live Oak Bank

How long have you been with your current employer? Since November 2019

Alma Mater: James Madison University

Prior career experience:

Customer Support Manager II, Live Oak Bank

Digital Marketing Director, Wilmington Design Co.

Associate Integrated Marketing Manager, Hearst Corporation

Executive Assistant to the Publisher, Food & Beverage Director, and Fashion Director, Meredith Corporation 

Assistant to JMU Director of Multimedia Communications, James Madison University 

Current job responsibilities: “Ensures construction funding and disbursement process is handled in an efficient and timely manner for all assigned multi-advance loans. Provides a high-level of service and support to all internal and external customers from initial project review through project completion. Ensures all construction division standards are applied consistently and in accordance with Bank and SBA policies and procedures to promote a high-quality construction portfolio.” 

Hobbies: “I love spinning (at Recess!), running, reading, video production, pickleball, and paddleboarding. I am an all-dog-lover, listener to live music, and you can usually find me on the weekends with my amazing friends at Wrightsville Beach or eating dinner with my crazy Italian family.”

To learn more about WILMA’s Leadership Institute and Initiative, go to wilmamag.com/women-to-watch.

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