- Name: Carlos Cardenas
- Title: Group Senior Vice President
- Company: Wintrust
- Department / Division: Commercial Banking
Where are you from?
Born and raised in Chicago, IL (graduate of Lane Tech H.S.)
What college did you go to and what was your major?
University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, BS in Accounting
What do you do at your financial firm?
Run a commercial banking division
Why do you like working in the financial services industry?
Enjoy meeting and working with clients in a diverse myriad of industries.
Favorite quote or life philosophy.
Work hard, play hard, enjoy life, and always treat people (family, friends, co-workers, clients) kindly and with respect.
Winston Churchill in a particular is an inspirational figure I admire
- “Never, never, never give up”.
- “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to the financial services industry?
Ask questions, be curious, and engage senior management. Don’t be shy. If you don’t understand something it is better to seek answers from those around you than to spin your wheels. Always give more than what you believe is expected of you. Volunteer for projects and seek out any leadership opportunities – go above and beyond, push yourself to learn more. Value the experiences you garner, both good and bad. Your early career should be about experiences and about trial and error – cherish this time and leverage it personally as best you can.