This week, the Everybody Leads podcast welcomes Sarah Duggan, the Executive Director of Wholesale Banking / Seniors Housing Healthcare Lending at Synovus Bank. Sarah graduated as an accounting major from the University of Alabama. She worked at Ernst and Whinney, South Trust Bank, and GMAC Commercial Mortgage before joining Synovus to help start the Seniors Housing and Healthcare Lending Group. Synovus is one of the country’s most respected financial institutions, and its senior housing and healthcare lending team brings over thirty years of experience in providing various services, including construction, value add, acquisition, and mini-perm loans to owners and operators in the senior housing and skilled nursing industry. Sarah’s leadership has influenced her team through pillars of strong industry reputation, certainty of execution, and creativity.

Listen as Sarah discusses her leadership journey, passion for her industry, and team-building philosophy. She also delves into best business practices for succession planning, recruiting talent, minimizing mistakes, and timing decisions. Sarah also highlights the importance of trusting your team and delegating responsibilities that can help them develop their leadership skills.

Other Topics Discussed Include:

Sarah’s Leadership Journey and How She Developed a Passion for the Senior Housing and Healthcare Lending Industry
Developing Leadership Skills Through Mentorship
The Importance of Succession Planning and Empowering Your Team
How to Recruit and Hire Good Talent Who You Can Trust
The Power of Preparation and Avoiding the Word “Never”
What Motivates Sarah to Keep Going and Finish Strong Before Her Upcoming Retirement
Leadership Resources That Helped Sarah Develop Her Leadership Skills and Talents
Managing a Team During the Pandemic by Creatively Solving Problems
Lessons Learned and Advice to Young Professionals Launching Their Careers
People During Sarah’s Leadership Journey Who Had an Influence and Impact Without a Big Title

Additional Resources:

Charity:

This episode is in support of Sarah Duggan’s designated charity, STAIR of Birmingham. We have made a donation to STAIR of Birmingham as a thank you to Sarah for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about STAIR of Birmingham, please visit https://www.stairbirmingham.org/

Additional Reading

Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall

Synovus Bank

Website: https://www.synovus.com/

Contact Sarah Duggan:

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

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Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo