Interview with Meg Mueller

What is it like being a woman leader in the banking industry?

I certainly have had the experience of watching this industry evolve over the years. It has evolved, and there have been many women who preceded me who were really paving the way here at Fulton. Being a woman leader has really felt no different than any other leader. We have an extremely supportive culture, and I've always felt that I've been treated no differently than anyone else in the organization.

What was the biggest challenge that you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge that I faced in my career was the credit crisis in 2008, when we had significant challenges in the industry. It was really difficult to deliver bad news over a fairly extended period of time about how we were doing, and how our portfolio was performing.

I was fairly nervous going in front of senior management at the time, but I did my homework to lay out the challenges and what we needed to do, and made sure we were transparent and got the problem on the table. And I was extremely supported in my efforts.

What advice do you have for women in their careers?

The advice that I have for young women starting out in their careers is first and foremost to be themselves. Be authentic, be confident, be curious, ask questions, do their homework, and make sure that they surround themselves with people who will help them grow.

What do you do to bring balance to your life?

I work really hard to bring balance, but I will tell you that it's very difficult to find true balance. I have great friends who will occasionally tap me on the shoulder and tell me that I need to pick my head up and think about things a little differently. I've always had a lot of time to devote to family and to friends outside of work, which to me is very much a part of mental health in our society.

I also exercise, and I'm an avid audiophile. I love music, and that's a little bit of my escape. On my drive to and from work, it plays rather loudly.