Origin Bank Employee Spotlight: NaToyia Gates

When NaToyia Gates joined Origin Bank in May 2013, her job as a recruiter in the Human Resources Department was to identify and enlist new talent to join the Origin team.  Nearly eight years later, she is the first person to hold the title of Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources Regional Director – a new role with an important focus.

“My overall goals in my new position are to establish external partnerships to diversify our company’s talent pipeline, and to create DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs and awareness within the bank,” says Gates.  “I want to make sure Diversity and Inclusion are not just initiatives, but that they remain a part of who we are at Origin.”

To say she’s passionate about her role is an understatement. With a bachelor’s degree in business management from Missouri Western University and a master’s degree in human resources from Webster University, Gates has the expertise to take her passion and create a robust program that will guide Origin’s recruiting and hiring efforts.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to grow our company’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. My recent promotion is a pivotal moment for my career and I’m honored to drive DEI initiatives so that we can focus on retaining diverse talent and making all Origin employees feel included and supported.”

Her work as a recruiter was fundamental and she plans to maintain a hands-on approach in her new role. “Interviewing and meeting new candidates is my favorite part of my job.  I truly enjoy interacting with new candidates and can always count on something being unique about an interview.  Whether good or bad, there is never a dull moment.”

Gates credits the commitment of Origin Bank’s leadership as well as her fellow human resources team members in supporting her as she leads the DEI charge.  Together, they are exploring innovative ways to measure and monitor DEI in the workday, ensuring a culture of inclusion is felt company wide.

As the bank’s 2018 winner of the Unique from Within Award for Integrity/Core Values, Gates knows firsthand that culture is more than just a concept at Origin Bank. “It was definitely my proudest moment and I was astounded by the cheering, applause and compliments I received from my colleagues.  I felt like I won a Grammy Award!”

It’s this commitment to culture that drives Gates to bring others into the fold as part of the Origin Bank team.  Whether encouraging employees to identify and pursue their dreams through the Dream Manager Program, showcasing employee success stories during the bank’s annual Culture Celebration or helping employees give back to their communities through the Project Enrich volunteer initiative, Gates knows how valuable Origin’s culture is to the people who work there.

“At Origin, I am encouraged to be the best version of myself and am inspired by my teammates to aim for the best in everything I do.  That’s why I’m so passionate about recruiting others to join the Origin team, so they can also be inspired in their careers, and in their lives.”

To learn more about Origin Bank and to view the most current job openings, click here.