Program will provide mentoring and financial education to women of color in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta
U.S. Bank is teaming up with Project Destined and the WNBA for the second consecutive year to support the next generation of women leaders through its “She’s Invested: Supporting Emerging Female Leaders.” This season, U.S. Bank will provide mentoring and financial education to 35 women of color from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as universities around Chicago, Washington D.C., and Atlanta.
Following a successful first year of the program, which was the first ever Project Destined cohort of all women, U.S. Bank and the WNBA are collaborating again with a focus on career development and financial fundamentals in the Midwest and Eastern part of the country.
“I am extremely grateful for the Project Destined community and the students and professionals that have supported me through my journey thus far,” said Davina Phears, a recent college graduate and a soon-to-be commercial real estate analyst for U.S. Bank. “Through the summer internship with Project Destined and U.S. Bank x WNBA, I gained hands-on experience to sharpen my technical and soft skills which are essential for commercial real estate. In addition, I was introduced to a community of professionals ready and willing to help me pursue my career. I highly recommend Project Destined to my peers, as I am confident that anyone who puts in the effort will greatly benefit from the program.”
The program will include a weekly speaker series with U.S. Bank and WNBA leaders, specialized training and workshops and dedicated mentorship sessions with U.S. Bank employees. The focus this year will include supporting students in building and maintaining financial health and telling their personal stories. The program will run from June-July with a culmination event at a Chicago Sky game.
“We learned so much from the first all-female cohort last year and are already underway with our second group of talented young female leaders this season,” said Kaori Yamada, senior vice president of Financial Education Strategy for U.S. Bank. “We believe everybody needs to not only know the fundamentals of managing their finances but also how to advocate for yourself by sharing your story.”
U.S. Bank and the WNBA first became associated with Project Destined last season during U.S. Bank’s first year as a WNBA Changemaker, a collective of purpose-driven companies that harness their power to elevate women in sports and support the league’s mission around advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a support of the league, U.S. Bank also serves as the Official Bank of the WNBA.
“The WNBA is excited about the return of ‘She’s Invested: Supporting Emerging Female Leaders’ and the commitment of U.S. Bank and Projected Destined to this program dedicated to the advancements of young women,” said Bethany Donaphin, Head of WNBA League Operations. “Since becoming a WNBA Changemaker, U.S. Bank has continuously demonstrated that it shares the league’s vision of not just empowering women athletes, but all women.”
About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 77,000 employees and $682 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
About WNBA
The WNBA, which tipped off its 27th season on May 19, is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.
In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s partnership platform, WNBA Changemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and NIKE, Inc, and subsequent additions Google, U.S. Bank, and CarMax. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing conversations about race and voting rights, among other important societal issues.
About Project Destined
Project Destined is a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools, and non-profits to deliver training using its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students work with executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition to industry leaders. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences, and network needed to secure a competitive entry-level job and become stakeholders in their community. If you are interested in partnering, please visit https://bit.ly/3Lr5vUH.
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