Member Spotlight | Chris Hermann

ACG WI Member Since: 2019

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Why did you join ACG?
I joined ACG to enhance my learning through the wide array of outstanding resources available, expand my professional network to include many of Wisconsin’s most influential leaders and advisors, and to create opportunities for my colleagues at PNC to experience the same growth and development I did, including participation in ACG initiatives and with ACG NextGen.

How has ACG WI helped you in your career?
ACG WI has provided me with insight and networking connections that have helped me become a better advisor, leader, and peer.  These invaluable relationships continue to create learning opportunities from some of the best professionals in Wisconsin.

What has your ACG membership meant to you?
ACG has created opportunities for me to build meaningful friendships and develop, valued connections that I rely on for continued professional growth.

What lessons have you learned during the pandemic that you think you will carry over in the long term?
Two key post-pandemic lessons come to mind. First, the importance of how and when companies, leaders and colleagues communicate - especially during times of distress and uncertainty. Solid communication served as the single greatest source of stability and direction during the storm of the last year.

Second, the pandemic further highlighted critical issues including health, mental health, physical security and job security that our colleagues, clients and communities face, and the importance of considering and addressing these issues in the decisions that we make.

What do you think are the biggest challenges your industry will face in the next 5 years, and what actions is your business taking to position it for success in the future?
Technological innovation will continue to play a disruptive role in banking and finance—creating distinct opportunities and challenges. This will increase the gap between the players that can meet customers rapidly evolving expectations for product enhancement and data security and those that cannot. At PNC, we view this as an opportunity. We seek to work with our clients and help them harness the power of technology to provide them with deeper control and enhanced insight over their business cash flow and finances, as well their personal finances with our new Low Cash Mode^SM solution, a game changing digital capability that help our Virtual Wallet^® customers avoid overdraft fees.

Workforce development also will play a key role in the financial services industry. Our most critical asset is our employees. PNC remains firmly committed to attracting, developing and retaining diverse and high-performing teams. The rapid pace of change in technology has created new opportunities to train and adapt our workforce to meet customer demand and industry innovation. 

What do you do for fun?
My family and I love food – be it cooking together or dining out at one of our fantastic Milwaukee restaurants. Trying new things and exploring different cultures through food has always been a passion of ours. Over a recent dinner, our daughter Lila (9) told us that in school she had been learning about the country of Vietnam including about the country’s food. Unprompted, she checked out a cookbook from the library, found a recipe for a Vietnamese dish, prepared it for our family dinner, and provided us with a brief lesson on Vietnam while we ate.  A proud moment for us as parents as we think about the importance of inclusion and awareness of diversity.

We also love spending time as a family exercising and learning outdoors. I have the privilege of serving on the board of the Urban Ecology Center (“UEC”), an outstanding organization that connects people in cities to nature and builds environmental curiosity, understanding, and respect for the outdoors. We love walking, hiking, or biking the UEC trails as well as exploring other outstanding Wisconsin trails.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Easily and regularly appease a two-year-old. As the father of three children this would be a welcome superpower.

What is the best book you have read this past year?
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. I frequently serve as a proselytizer for this book and will take this opportunity to do so again.

We make the greatest impact by intentionally focusing our attention, energy and time on what matters most. In today’s fast-paced world there are constantly numerous demands on us. As a result, it is easy to lose focus on what truly is and is not impactful.  Essentialism helps provide the tools and mindset to enable making the greatest impact.