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32 | Th e M Rep o RT Power Players Special Section P erseverance. Determination. Humility. These are the values that I respect in others and embrace in my own leadership style," said Kathryn Madison, CEO at HSBC Finance Corporation. Accomplished on many fronts, Kathryn first joined HSBC in 1988, but prior to that she led CML's originations business as an EVP, received her bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin, a master's degree in business administration from DePaul University, and a master's degree in management from Northwestern University. Throughout her life she has had strong role models who have encouraged her to reach these great heights. Growing up in Chicago, Kathryn's mother was a teacher and her father was an engineer. "My mother always reminded me that to get ahead you need to work hard and do well in school," she said. And throughout the journey Kathryn's husband of nearly 30 years has always encouraged her in her career and to take on new roles. "My husband encouraged me to take on my first really large operational job that one, a woman had never done before and two, was out of my comfort zone. As women we need to take on risks and know we are going to succeed. If you want something you need to speak up," she counsels. During her 30-year tenure at HSBC Kathryn has taken on many roles, but one thing has never changed—her love for interacting with the consumer. On what drew her to the mortgage in- dustry, Kathryn says, "I've always been interested in banking, even as a young person in school, and when I looked at financial ser- vices I realized I could couple my interest in finance with being able to interact with the consumer. Working with the consumer al- lows you to see the benefits of the product offerings you're providing." It's not just the relationships with customers Kathryn values. Central to her success is the connection she forms with a collaborative, creative team of colleagues. "I figured out that marrying determination and the ability to connect with people would lead to success. Tasks end up so much better when you ac- complish them as a team. Bring people along with you on the journey," Kathryn advises. When building a team, Kathryn loves diversity of thought. "When I build a team, I want people on the team that have different views than me because I think that it's when you are able to fully debate an issue from all sides that you get the best outcome," she says. Kathryn notes that being a leader doesn't mean having all the answers. "I don't believe that you always have to be the smartest person in the room. I appreciate having people way smarter than me on the team, but I would never ask someone to do something that I wouldn't do myself," she explained. Today, it's the personal con- nections that she has built throughout her career that makes Kathryn excited to go into work everyday, saying, "I am blessed to work with an incredible group of people. I do whatever I can to help the people I am close to get to their next opportunity. I want to make sure they have the toolkit to succeed. Frankly, this is what I am most proud of in my career." Kathryn Madison "I figured out that marrying determination and the ability to connect with people would lead to success. Tasks end up so much better when you accomplish them as a team. Bring people along with you on the journey." CEO, HSBC FinanCE COrpOratiOn "