Deborah Catchings-Smith
International Grand Basileus
Vice President, Operational Risk Management Governance, Citibank
2018 Candidate for Re-Election to International Grand Basileus
Biography
My Sigma journey began more than 39 years ago and continues to be filled with memorable moments of true Sisterhood, service and leadership. Being an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated has been one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my adult life. It has been an honor to serve you as International Grand Basileus for more than a year. We have accomplished so much together. The Sisterhood has been central to my life and has helped me to build upon the foundation laid down by my parents.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi and reared in the Chicago, Illinois area, I was fortunate to witness the entrepreneurial spirit of my stepfather, Hillman Patton. He opened the first African-American Insurance Brokerage in Joliet, Illinois in the late 1960s. He then went on to open a fresh seafood market and when our family relocated to Decatur, Illinois, he opened a barbeque restaurant.
I was able to learn a great deal working alongside my parents in these successful business ventures. Witnessing the passion, hard work, dedication and brilliance of my parents engaged in these business enterprises had a significant impact on me, which has served as a driving force throughout my life. What attracted me to Sigma Gamma Rho was meeting members of the Sisterhood on my college campus who epitomized the same values of passion, hard work, dedication and brilliance. Sigma Gamma Rho was a clear choice for me.
Upon graduating from Illinois State University with a business major and finance minor in hand, I began my professional career and my Sigma Gamma Rho leadership journey. Today, I celebrate more than 36 years of leadership in our Sisterhood and 29 years in the financial services industry.
Sorors, we are bound by the courageous vision of our Founders. Nearly 100 years ago those seven school teachers found a way, through the dark days of racism, to form this Sorority. Like you, my commitment to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is unwavering. As a servant leader, I have felt the power of our Sisterhood. It is mighty strong, Sorors. I know what we can accomplish when we unite – I have experienced it!
We have been intentional as we have worked to strengthen our Sisterhood. Our commitment to service is powerful and continues to have lasting and measurable impact on the world around us. For these reasons and many many more, I announced my candidacy for re-election to the position of International Grand Basileus.
With your vote, I will continue to lead with 20/20 Vision and remain Focused on the ‘Strength of Our Sisterhood and the Power of Service.’
Vote for a leader with results. Vote for Deborah Catchings-Smith International Grand Basileus.
PROFESSIONAL AND SIGMA VITAE
- Illinois State University - B.S. Business Administration; Minor, Finance
- Graduate Mortgage Bankers Association - School of Mortgage Banking
- Citibank - Vice President, Operational Risk Management Governance ~ 2000 to Present
- Proactively engaged in the Consumer Real Estate Lending Business, Operations, Technology and other global support functions management of operational risk through governance and policy development.
- Accredited Mortgage Professional Designation – Mortgage Bankers Association
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Mortgage Loan Underwriter Designation
- Veteran Administration (VA) Mortgage Loan Underwriter Designation
- Citibank Certified Financial Literacy Educator
August 23, 1978, Epsilon Chapter
Supporting Life Member #425
Current Chapter Affiliation:
Eta Mu Sigma – St. Louis, MO (Charter Member and Charter Basileus)
39 Years of Sigma Membership
36 Years of Sigma Service in various leadership roles on the Local Level:
- Basileus
- Anti-Basileus
- Grammateus
- Anti-Grammateus
- Tamiochus
- Epistoleus
- Nominations Chair
- Elections Chair
- National Budget and Finance Committee
- National Boule Planning Committee
- National Recommendations Committee
- Habitat for Humanity National Committee / Regional Co-Chair
- Blanche Edwards Award Chair
- International Board of Directors Member
- National Membership Committee
- Honorary Membership Committee
- Personnel Committee Member
- Cultured Pearls Induction Committee Member
- National Membership Intake Committee Member
- Co-Chair of the first Sigma Gamma Rho / Omega Psi Phi Joint National Founder’s Day Celebration
- “Precious” / Project Reassurance National Movie Screening – National Project Manager
- Awards and Achievement Banquet Chair
- HIV / AIDS AAALI Grant National Project Director (volunteer role) responsible for achieving grant program goals and objectives, management of grant employees and fiduciary responsibility for grant funds
- White House Office of Women’s Health STI Awareness Campaign/Task Force for Teen Girls – Appointed Sigma Gamma Rho Representative
- Strategic Planning Committee: led internal environmental scan team, chair for Goal 1-Membership Growth, June 2013 - present.
- International First Grand Anti-Basileus, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. –- 2012 – Present
- International Grand Basileus 2016 - Present
- Regional Credentials Committee
- Regional Scholarship Committee
- Regional Undergraduate Concerns Committee
- Regional Vendor Committee
- Regional Budget and Finance Committee
- Regional Habitat for Humanity Regional Co-Chair
- Regional Recommendations Chair
- Regional Nominating Chair
- Regional Grammateus
- Regional Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator
- Regional Syntaktes
- Implementation of Revised Membership Intake Program
- Streamlined Membership Intake Certification Tracking Process
- Enhanced Membership Intake Risk Management Monitoring Controls
- Significant Revisions to Membership Focused Campaigns Resulting in Expanded Reach and Growth
- Development of Strategic Tools Designed to Strengthen Chapters
- Implementation of Revised Undergraduate Advisor Certification Program and On-line Platform to Strengthen Support of Advisors
- Development and Implementation of Revised National Honorary Membership Tools
- Development of National Membership Committee Collateral Materials
- Member Needs Assessment Outcomes and Process Improvements Implemented
- Expansion of Technology-based Membership Educational Training Tools
- Implementation of Operational Risk and Financial Controls
- Membership-focused National Strategic Plan Initiatives Developed and Implemented
- Developed and Enhanced Operational Processes and Procedures at International Corporate Headquarters
- Introduced and Launch the Inaugural 360 Review of International Corporate Headquarters for Improved Customer Service Experience
- Drove Implementation of Expanded Managerial Staff at International Corporate Headquarters
- Implementation of Revised Disciplinary Action and Code of Conduct Standards
- Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors – Member: Organization of University Greek Affairs Directors and Greek Professionals – 2002 – Present
- Order of Omega - Member: National Honorary Greek Society recognizing members who have attained high standards of leadership in their respective organizations, local communities and exemplary community service – 2007 – Present
- Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Whitney M. Young Society Leadership Giving Inaugural Member – 2013- Present
- United Way St. Louis / Citigroup Financial Education Foundation - Impact Panel Member: Review and select Area Agencies for funding of Financial Literacy Programs totaling over $1,000,000 to date – 2005 – 2014
- Fathers’ Support Center St. Louis - Executive Board Member & Board Secretary: Agency providing support to non-custodial fathers strengthening their financial and emotional involvement with their children – 2008 – 2015; Personnel Committee Chair – 2008- Present
- Urban Financial Services Coalition St. Louis - Board Member & Treasurer: Financial Services professionals offering Financial Literacy Programs to youth in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area – 2008 – 2012
- Professional Organization of Women (POW) – Member: Organization designed to provide leadership training, mentoring and networking opportunities for African American Female Corporate Executives – 2000 – 2005, 2009 - 2012
- Order of Kentucky Colonels – Member - National Honorary Community Leadership Society – 2009 – present
- Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club Sky Is the Limit Program - Volunteer: Career Readiness and Financial Literacy Programs Instructor for Middle and High School Girls – 2005 – present
- Citibank Certified Financial Literacy Instructor – Teaching financial literacy curriculum to youth and adults – 2003 – Present
- 2015 Honorary Citizen; Key to the City of Jackson, Tennessee
- 2015 U.S. Presidential Life Time Achievement Volunteer Service Award
- 2015 Citibank Volunteer Service Award – Recognition for more than 4,000 hours of community service
- 2015 Outstanding Community Involvement Award – Kingdom House Neighborhood Association
- 2015 Civic Leader Award: Women in Leadership – Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
- 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 U. S. President Barack Obama National Community
- 2011 Citibank African Heritage Network St. Louis - Community Service Leadership Award
- 2010 Professional Organization of Women, Inc.: Women of Distinction Award recognizing high level African-American Women Executives and Entrepreneurs
- 2010 Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. National Award of Achievement: Meritorious Service Award
- 2010 Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. National Exemplary Leadership Award
- 2009 Racial Harmony Phenomenal Woman of Metropolitan St. Louis: Female Executive and Community Leadership Award
- 2009 City of St. Louis Civic Leadership Award: Community Leadership and Volunteerism Award
- 2009 Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inductee: Governor’s Award and Society representing Community Leaders and Community Service Volunteers
- 2008 Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Visionary Leadership Award
- 2006 YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis Women Leaders in the Workplace Award: Recognition of Accomplished Female Executives
Soror Catchings-Smith has several, nieces, nephews, godchildren and mentees. She has been married to her best friend, greatest supporter and Sigma Gent, Robert, for 30 years and is a member of St. Alphonsus “Rock” Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
