As students and teachers wrap up another successful school year, Regions Bank associates are helping communities celebrate the milestones, achievements and progress happening both inside and beyond the classroom.
Across the bank’s footprint, schools are hosting year-end awards ceremonies recognizing hard work, growth and leadership. At Regions, we’re taking a similar approach – highlighting programs and partnerships making a meaningful difference in education and workforce readiness.
Classroom Changemaker Award
Regions Bank recently sponsored the 15-Year Celebration of Teach for America (TFA) Alabama, with Regions leaders Marta Self and Tom Speir serving as event co-chairs.
Both bring a strong personal commitment to the organization. Self has long supported TFA through her role as executive director of the Regions Foundation, while Speir, head of Investor Relations, Corporate Development and Strategy, serves on the TFA Alabama board.
Teach For America works to address educational inequity by placing trained teachers in underserved schools, where they commit to two years of service while receiving coaching and professional development.
Regions Bank has supported TFA Alabama since its early years through corporate contributions. and the Regions Foundation has provided more than $300,000 in grant funding over the past five years. Most recently, that funding is helping recruit more than 80 new teachers, expanding classroom capacity and supporting student achievement in reading, math, science and ACT readiness.
The Regions Foundation – funded primarily by Regions Bank – supports initiatives that strengthen education and workforce development, while also investing in programs that enhance economic opportunity, financial wellness and community development.
In Alabama, TFA Corp members serve students in Birmingham, Greensboro, Marion and Selma, helping address teacher shortages and strengthen learning outcomes.
“Teach For America plays a critical role in strengthening classrooms and communities across Alabama,” Speir said. “At Regions Bank, we’re proud to support an organization that is committed to ensuring every student has access to an excellent education.”
Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation, and Tom Speir, head of Investor Relations, Corporate Development and Strategy at Regions Bank, hosted the 15-Year Celebration of Teach for America Alabama.
At Regions Bank, we’re proud to support an organization that is committed to ensuring every student has access to an excellent education.
Tom Speir, head of Investor Relations
Future Ready Award
Regions Bank recently served as the presenting partner of the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, where students from across the country showcased their skills on a national stage.
Through classroom instruction, mentorship and real-world experience, JAG equips students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed, while helping them overcome challenges such as poverty, trauma or limited access to opportunity. JAG has an impressive track record, including a 98 percent high school graduation rate — nearly 100 percent success rate in some local regions. Most of these students successfully transition into college, careers or the military.
At the Salt Lake City event, Regions Bank Financial Education Manager Cecilia Bailey and associates from Regions Home Improvement Financing division presented $1,500 scholarships to outstanding students and led Reality Check budgeting simulations to help build financial literacy and decision-making skills.
“More than 1,000 young people stepped onto a national stage this year, were celebrated for their talent and hard work and left with a stronger sense of what’s possible for their futures,” said Karin Wu, Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs at JAG. “Regions Bank made that moment real for them. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to the two things that change the trajectory of a young person’s life: financial literacy and a real pathway into the workforce.”
Regions Bank made that moment real for them. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to the two things that change the trajectory of a young person’s life: financial literacy and a real pathway into the workforce.
Karin Wu, Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs at JAG
Support extends beyond the national event. In Birmingham, Regions Bank associates volunteered at the JAG Alabama State Conference, which brought together approximately 1,300 students. More than 50 associates served as judges for student competitions and led financial education sessions.
Along with conference and financial education support, Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation have supported the organization financially for many years. Regions Head of Private Wealth Management Leslie Carter-Prall, who serves on JAG’s national board, sees the result of that impact every day.
“I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this program is in helping students realize their potential,” Carter-Prall said. “JAG doesn’t just prepare young people for graduation, it gives them the confidence, skills and support to take meaningful next steps toward college, careers and long-term success.”
Financial Education MVPs
Cecilia Bailey, along with Financial Education Trainer Keren Treme and Regions Next Step Ambassadors, works year-round to deliver Regions Next Step financial wellness education across the bank’s footprint. As the school year wraps up, that commitment shifts into high gear.
In recent weeks, teams have led Reality Check simulations for students at Shelby County High School and Crossroads School – helping students build practical money management skills. Bailey also provided financial coaching at the Second Chance Summit in Atlanta, an annual event dedicated to empowering justice-impacted individuals.
The momentum continues into late spring, with Treme traveling to Jackson County, Alabama to work with students from Hollywood Elementary, introducing age-appropriate lessons on saving, spending and smart financial habits.
And this work doesn’t take a summer break. In June, Treme and Regions Bank volunteers will participate in Breakthrough Birmingham’s Career Day, leading financial literacy sessions and supporting career exploration activities.
Regions Bank associates work year-round to deliver Regions Next Step financial wellness education across the bank’s footprint.
Opportunity Accelerator Award
Beyond Teach for America, the Regions Foundation continues to invest in community partners working to improve educational outcomes, expand access to learning and remove barriers to success.
Recent investments include:
“At the Regions Foundation, we believe education is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting pathways to success,” said Marta Self. “By investing in literacy, supporting students facing challenges and connecting learning to real-world success, we’re helping build stronger communities for the future.”
Together, these community partnerships reflect Regions Bank and Regions Foundation’s commitment to meeting students where they are and helping them build the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to succeed long after the school year ends.
Like any great awards day, the recognition points to something bigger: the shared effort behind every student’s success story.
More than 50 Regions Bank associates volunteered at the JAG Alabama State Conference earlier this year.