Celebrating Women's Day with Gloria Turner Heath and Olivia Bondurant

At First Bank and Trust, we recognize that women have always played a pivotal role in shaping industries, communities, and futures. In honor of International Women’s Day, we are thrilled to spotlight the inspiring mentor-mentee relationship between two women in agriculture—Gloria Turner Heath and Olivia Bondurant, located in our Clinton, NC Loan Production Office. Through their shared experiences, we see the power of mentorship, community, and the significant role women play in the agricultural industry.

The Path to Agriculture

Gloria and Olivia’s journeys into agriculture were shaped by personal experiences that sparked a passion for the field.

For Olivia, agriculture was not an immediate interest, despite her parents' involvement in farming. It wasn't until high school, when she joined the Future Farmers of America (FFA), that she truly discovered her calling. Through competitions like the Creed Speaking contest, she developed a deeper appreciation for the industry, realizing how much agriculture and FFA could teach her. Olivia says, “The impact that the experiences and relationships in FFA had on me was what made me decide that I wanted to pursue agriculture as a career.”

Gloria’s story is quite different, though no less compelling. Growing up, she worked on a turkey farm and learned at a young age that girls could handle tough farm work just like anyone else. From there, she built her career by managing a turkey brooder farm, working at a CPA firm, and later transitioning into ag lending. With 21 years of experience in agricultural banking, Gloria has seen firsthand how the industry has evolved. She shares, “Agriculture has a lot of opportunities for women and is a rewarding career.”

     

The Power of Mentorship

The bond between Gloria and Olivia highlights the importance of mentorship in both the agricultural community and at First Bank and Trust Company. For Olivia, Gloria has been much more than a colleague; she’s been a guiding force. Olivia credits Gloria with shaping her both personally and professionally, saying, “How she helps customers, interacts with co-workers, and lives her life is nothing short of a perfect example and has helped to shape me in more ways than I can articulate.” Through Gloria’s extensive knowledge and experience in banking and agriculture, Olivia has gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of the industry.

As a mentor, Gloria believes that the most important part of the relationship is giving Olivia room to grow while offering the right amount of guidance. She reflects, “Olivia has a desire to learn and cares about the clients. As a mentor, I feel like I am here to offer feedback and guidance but also need to give her room to develop her own style.” In return, Gloria has been equally inspired by Olivia’s fresh perspective and enthusiasm. Gloria notes, “Working with Olivia has given me a new outlook. Sometimes our years of experience keep us from learning new ways to do things or we make assumptions based on how things have turned out in the past.”

A Relationship Built on Community and Care

One of the most valuable lessons both women have learned from one another is the importance of building strong, lasting relationships. Olivia highlights Gloria’s ability to connect deeply with clients, not just in terms of their businesses but also their families. She notes, “Most customers that I see walk into the Clinton office are ones that Gloria personally knows. She truly cares about their business, but also their families.”

A touching moment from their mentoring journey was when Olivia’s mother drove over an hour to meet Gloria and the team after hearing about the impact the internship had on Olivia. “That meant a lot to us and made us feel like members of her family,” Gloria recalls.

Looking Ahead: Women in Agriculture

Both women are excited about the future of agriculture. Olivia reflects on how women are now majoring in agriculture at universities in greater numbers, even surpassing men in some areas. She says, “Women in ag is more of a norm than ever before.” Gloria echoes this sentiment, noting how women are taking on critical roles in farm management and leadership positions. She believes the success of women like herself and Olivia will inspire future generations of women to believe in their own ability to succeed in the industry.

Their message to young women looking to break into agriculture is clear: Find a community. Olivia emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with mentors, friends, and organizations that can provide guidance and support. For Gloria, the advice is to seek out experienced mentors who can help lay the foundation for a successful career. She says, “You need to build your career on a strong foundation of knowledge and be flexible as things change.”

Making an Impact Together

Together, Gloria and Olivia are not just shaping each other’s careers—they are helping to shape the agricultural community as a whole. Their mentor-mentee relationship is a testament to the power of support, guidance, and a shared commitment to excellence. They hope to continue fostering a culture of mentorship and community, inspiring others to do the same.

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Gloria and Olivia’s journey, along with the countless women who contribute to agriculture and other industries.

A Message to All Women:

“Agriculture is important to the world, and it’s a career where you can make a difference in your communities and beyond. We need passionate, dedicated people to make impactful contributions to agriculture in the future.” – Gloria Heath

We are proud to support and celebrate the achievements of women like Gloria and Olivia, whose leadership and commitment continue to inspire us all.

About First Bank and Trust Company

First Bank and Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations throughout southwest Virginia and the state’s Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valleys. First Bank and Trust Company also operates throughout northeast Tennessee and North Carolina. Financial solutions are addressed by offering free checking products for personal and business accounts, savings, money markets, and time deposit accounts. Lending solutions are managed by mortgage, agricultural, and commercial lending divisions. Comprehensive wealth management solutions are available through trust and brokerage service representatives.

For more information, visit Who We Are | First Bank & Trust Company or contact Marketing at marketing@firstbank.com.

SOURCE: First Bank and Trust Company