Avril Leonce: Motivated & on a mission

AVRIL Leonce’s journey in the banking world is a delightful tale of twists, determination, and success. Despite not initially envisioning a career in banking, she has spent over 20 years charting success in the banking and finance industry with unwavering dedication, keen insight, and a talent for building lasting relationships that transcend borders and generations.

“I didn’t always see myself as a banker,” said Scotiabank’s Senior Vice-President, Sales Support Unit. “But now, I can’t imagine doing anything different. I am a walking billboard for a successful career in banking and finance, as I always tell younger people, whether they have an interest in banking or not, to consider the sector as a great place to achieve personal and professional advancement.”

From her start as a relationship officer at another regional bank in St Lucia, to being invited to manage a portfolio of large corporate clients for Scotiabank in Jamaica, Leonce’s professional voyage reads like a treasure map of exciting opportunities and achievements.

Her career began after completing an undergraduate degree in management studies at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She swiftly returned to St Lucia, where she embraced the role of a relationship officer with her then employer.

In a testament to her talent and tenacity, she was soon entrusted with managing and growing the credit card portfolio, leading to the opportunity to oversee a larger portfolio of retail lending clients. It was in this role that she found immense joy in helping people become financially better off through retail loans and credit cards.

After winning the Best of the Best award for Top Sales in St Lucia at that banking institution, her growth and development soon caught the attention of industry leaders, propelling her into a new phase of her career. This resulted in her being recruited and relocated to that bank’s Capital Markets unit in Jamaica where she focused on bond structuring, and the creation of investment products for distribution in the local market and the wider region.

One particularly noteworthy aspect of Leonce’s journey is her mobility, not just within the financial industry, but also across various territories. Besides working in St Lucia and Jamaica, her experiences in Barbados, The Bahamas and Trinidad have equipped her with a profound understanding of the nuances of each country, allowing her to provide sound advice and solutions while effectively working with different personalities and cultures. This experience also served her well for her current role.

“Coming to Jamaica allowed me to develop even more, especially in terms of my leadership, networking and management capabilities within the financial industry,” she said.

“The move to Jamaica in 2000 marked a turning point in my career, as it provided me with invaluable opportunities that may not have been accessible in St Lucia. Embracing these new challenges, allowed me to thrive in my new roles,” she furthered.

After an extremely successful stint in capital markets, Leonce was then invited to join the Scotiabank team in Jamaica in 2006 as senior manager, corporate and commercial banking, where she was tasked with managing a diverse portfolio of large corporate clients, focusing on financial advisory services, cash management solutions and the structuring of corporate loan products.

In this role, she assumed additional leadership responsibilities, driving revenue growth, and enhancing operational efficiency within the bank. She became known for her meticulous attention to detail and quickly developed a reputation for inspiring her teams to operate at peak performance while safeguarding the institution’s integrity.

Between 2008 and 2018, Leonce’s career skyrocketed due to her unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and her mastery of the art of relationship management. She was subsequently promoted to branch manager, then director, small business and professional partnerships. Success in these roles helped propel her to her current position as senior vice president for the Sales Support Unit.

In her current role she heads the Sales Support Unit with oversight of key support functions for the retail, small business and non-branch sales team for Jamaica, Cayman, Bahamas and TCI. This includes processing of mortgages end-to-end, and all retail lending products, portfolio management, digital onboarding  and anti-money laundering compliance. She also has oversight for the Scotia Building Society. Throughout her journey, she credits her ability to manage high-net-worth clients and her dedication to nurturing strong relationships as essential elements of her growth and mobility within the financial industry.

In addition to her career accomplishments, Leonce considers her master’s in business and finance one of her proudest academic achievements. Her impressive list of certifications, including  Project  Management (PMP), Canadian  Securities, and  Risk  Management (CARICRIS) qualifications, underscores her dedication to continuous learning and improvement.

She is also a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Scotiabank, and passionately advocates for embracing the many avenues for skill development and knowledge acquisition that the financial industry offers, emphasizing the opportunities that await those willing to fully embrace them.

While attributing much of her success to the opportunities within the sector, Leonce also reserves high praise for Scotiabank.

“Scotiabank is a fantastic place to work. Here, people, especially women, are given the opportunity to fully demonstrate their talents and abilities and climb the career ladder as far as their skills and abilities can take them.”

Her enthusiasm for professional networks and the shared knowledge they provide further enhances her career, emphasising the significance of fostering these connections within the financial industry.

As a proud alumna of Florida International University, Leonce stays connected to her roots, highlighting the significance of professional networks in the financial industry. These memberships provide a platform for shared knowledge and opportunities, further enhancing her career.

Outside of work, Leonce enjoys listening to music of all genres; however, the pulsating, high energy of soca has captivated her for decades. This love is only eclipsed by her love for sports and English Premier League Club team – Manchester United.

She also finds balance with her career ambitions through outdoor activities like running, riding, and hiking. This passion has been furthered as a long-standing member of the Pacers Running Club.

“For me, the discipline of going to the gym at 5am daily keeps things grounded and focused for the day ahead,” Leonce shared.

Travel also ranks high on her list of hobbies and so far, she has visited at least 20 countries globally. A trip to the African and Asian continents are high on her list of places to visit next.

Even after so many years, she says she is still highly motivated to achieve in the financial sector. “There is still tremendous opportunity to add value by helping to educate colleagues and clients to simplify what they do, mitigate risks, and provide solutions where possible. I love to help people, solve problems, and make life easier for whoever I encounter. The industry is also evolving rapidly, and I would like to continue to contribute to embracing that change.”

As someone who’s achieved so much in her career, Leonce has a few words of advice for young professionals leaning towards a career in the financial industry.

“Focus on looking for the opportunity to learn something new,” she said. “This can sometimes mean switching jobs at the same level to learn a new skill set. The finance industry presents numerous opportunities, and the best way to take advantage of them is to prepare to learn as much as you can. Don’t focus on how much money you make in your first job. Instead, focus on gathering knowledge that will make you marketable and better able to take advantage of greater opportunities when they arise.”