Stephanie E. Green

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

Age: 56

“Experienced leader who takes her clients, teams, and community service seriously, but not herself.”

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Family Members: Jim and Lola Butler (parents 85) Jack (husband), Cameron (son 31), Courtney (daughter 30)

Fun fact about yourself: I ran on the 4×100 relay team that set the state of Ohio high school record at the Ohio State University stadium, the Jesse Owens Track, and the record still stands. It was the last year yards were used as a measurement. I also placed 6th in Ohio in the long jump that year.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Hampton University, Hampton Virginia – BS Business Management

Where are you currently working? Fifth Third Bank – Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Wealth and Asset Management

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:

Executive Committee, Ohio Fair Plan Board of Governors (Governor Appointment) Vice Chair, Columbus State Community College (Governor Appointment)

Former Vice Chair, Wright State University (Governor Appointment) Board Secretary, Columbus Urban League

Board Member, Fifth Third Community Development Company, LLC (CDC)

Board Chair/Former Vice Chair & Treasurer, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) Vice Chair & Founding Member, African American Leadership Academy

Board Member, YWCA of Central Ohio

Tocqueville Ambassador, United Way of Central Ohio

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? My husband asked if my operations finished A3 project was a brochure. Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could produce a product with such detail and expertise. However, the real triumph was how valuable the project was in my workplace. I took my A3 project improvement process back to my division and implemented it successfully. l supervised the implementation of the new process, its continued evolution, and the culture of continuous improvement.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?

At the request of the Governor, I joined the board of a fiscally mismanaged university. During my time on the board, we saved the university from fiscal watch and managed through a faculty strike to reach a labor agreement resulting in 5 years of labor rest. I also chaired the committee to hire a new Provost and ultimately advocated for her to be named university president after serving a year in the interim capacity.

My male colleagues initially objected because “she had never been a President before.” I reminded them that they had not always been the head of their organizations, but had, at some point, received their first opportunity. I also asked the “girl dads” if they want their hard-working, high-performing daughters rewarded with promotional opportunities. I’m happy to say the university and the President continue to thrive. It makes me incredibly proud to leverage the skills I developed over 30+ years in finance, leading high-performing teams in various divisions to serve the community and advocate on others’ behalf.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? I found most of the professors extraordinarily knowledgeable and engaging. If forced to select my favorite professor, I would say, Angus Fletcher, as he delivered a learning and discovery experience unique to any other I’ve ever experienced. He brilliantly captured the attention and buy-in of the entire class. He leveraged his neuroscience and literature training to help the cohort think about leadership differently, boldly, and creatively. I’ve taken countless leadership classes and workshops over my 34 years in business, but none was more valuable than the few sessions we had with Angus in Creative Leadership.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I would not have chosen The Ohio State University had Anna Morris not called and then met me in person while the pandemic still sheltered some. After our discussion and further research, the international and west coast emersion experiences set the program apart for me. The international trip to Spain was an experience of a lifetime. The attention to trip details, the variety of companies visited, and the generous access provided by business owners was incredible. The food was delicious too!

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? One week after finishing the program, I was approached by senior leadership at the bank and asked if I would consider a Regional President’s role in our South Florida market. Before the EMBA program, I would have been terrified to leave the city where I was born and raised, where my career has taken hold, and move to a new state and recreate something similar on a much broader scale. But Angus said something on our last day of class that resonated: “Every step you have taken in your life has prepared you for this moment.” I not only repeated that statement to myself, but I also repeated it to the woman who would be my boss if I got the job. She said it gave her goosebumps. The selection process isn’t over, but I’m ready and excited to go if I am the candidate selected.

What is the biggest myth about going back to school? I’m too old! At least, that was my biggest myth. While I wouldn’t suggest waiting until you are 55 to start an EMBA program, I would argue you’re not too old. Yes, it’s been a long time since your last finance or data analytics (i.e., stats) class, but if you do the assigned work and have access to helpful professors, you can do it! It’s challenging, it’s a lot of work, but the enriching experience is well worth it.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Maged Costantine is the Division Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. In addition to actively participating in the EMBA program, he is responsible for saving the lives of high-risk pregnant woman and their babies. In addition, he has his own family, and he is actively engaged. Maged is as kind and funny, and he is brilliant.

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I knew my professional responsibilities would interfere too frequently with the part-time program. In addition, one of the most valuable discoveries of the program is those of the others in the cohort and the relationships developed over the 18 months. Relationships are magic, and it’s impossible to make magic happen online.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Regional Bank President and finally Corporate Board Director

What made Stephanie such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“I believe that Stephanie’s professionalism, positivity, leadership, and genuine personality make her an invaluable addition to the class of 2023. Stephanie was always prepared for class, was engaged in discussions, and was an amazing “cheerleader” for not only her team but for the entire cohort.

Stephanie has a high-level position in her organization and was able to bring her tremendous experience into the classroom to positively impact the learning of the others.

“Stephanie embodies many qualities which command respect (intelligence, inquisitiveness, being prepared, putting in the work). But, beyond the studious, intellectual, and professional side, Stephanie has the most bubbly, thoughtful, humble, genuine, and fun persona who I looked up to throughout the program. I love seeing how her kind and fun nature shines through her leadership style.”

“Stephanie has embraced the EMBA experience from the very beginning. Within the classroom environment, she is engaged in group discussion, continual learning and provides input throughout the sessions. Outside of the classroom, she encourages teamwork/team building, having fun and networking among the entire cohort.”

“Stephanie brought great experience and insight into the class discussions. Stephanie always contributed during class and was always well prepared. Outside of class, she is a joy to talk to and always shows genuine interest about her fellow cohort members.”

Stephanie is a student that everyone wants to get to know. She is engaging, kind and is always encouraging her team and the cohort to believe in themselves and to strive to be better than they were the day before.

I have immense respect and admiration for Stephanie Green and I echo the sentiments of the EMBA Class of 2023.”

Laurie Spadaro, MBOE
LSSBB Director Admissions and Operations
Executive MBA (EMBA) & Master of Business Operational Excellence (MBOE)
Fisher College of Business | Executive Education

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