Punto Final!
The Power of Mentorship
By Patty Juarez
EVP, External Engagement, Public Affairs
Wells Fargo
In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving workplace, mentorship provides an opportunity to accelerate professional growth and transform careers in monumental ways. For Patty Juarez, a 31-year veteran at Wells Fargo and executive vice president of External Engagement, mentorship has been an essential part of her own career longevity. Whether as a financial analyst or an executive, mentorship has allowed her to embrace the principle that “learning never stops.” From early credit roles in commercial banking to driving enterprise-wide strategies, the focus for Juarez remained clear: create room to grow, feel seen, heard, and supported. Juarez shares her advice on what has allowed her to succeed on that journey.
Why Mentorship Matters
Juarez began her career at Wells Fargo in 1995 as a Commercial Banking financial analyst, where she was exposed to a network of champions who supported her growth. Reflecting on the role that mentorship has played throughout her career, Juarez says, “Mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it is about opening doors you did
not know existed. A great mentor helps you see your potential, navigate challenges, and build confidence along the way and it’s one of the most powerful investments you can make in your career.” Juarez believes that mentorship is the cornerstone of sustainable career growth. She also views mentorship as reciprocal. “There are opportunities where you can learn from each other. Some of the best lessons throughout my career have come from mentoring others.”
Mentorship as Career Accelerator
Juarez credits many of her career advancements to professional development programs at Wells Fargo, which strengthened her skillset as a leader and allowed her to build a network of mentors. Shortly after joining Wells Fargo, Juarez completed the bank's Credit Management
Training Program.
“This program exposed me to a network of seasoned leaders who also provided honest feedback that would strengthen my skills,” says Juarez. “I made sure to remain curious and prioritized learning because it was essential for long-term success.” For Juarez, mentorship is a partnership that can shape a career. Her participation in the program eventually led to leadership roles across the company. Meeting the Challenge Juarez believes that the ability to solve challenges is essential for career growth. “Challenges are where you learn the most,” she says. “They push you out of your comfort zone and force you to think differently.”
In addition, resilience and adaptability are key. “The financial industry is constantly evolving,” she explains. “If you shy away from challenges, you miss out on growth. Embrace them, and you’ll discover strengths you didn’t know you had.” Juarez believes that later in an individual's career, mentorship can evolve into Sponsorship, which is about your network vouching for you and raising your name for bigger opportunities.
Parting Advice
Her advice to emerging professionals? Seek mentors who challenge you and offer honest feedback. Mentorship is about building confidence and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Leveraging internal resources can position you for success in a rapidly changing workplace. “The resources your company provides can be pathways to your next opportunity. Do your best to never leave them on the table,” says Juarez.
Patty Juarez is Executive Vice President of External Engagement, Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. Juarez has 31
years of experience in banking and 27 years in Commercial Banking across leadership and strategy roles.