With a keen eye for untapped talent and a heart for service, Debra Moore brings more than 25 years experience to her role as Community Lending and Relationship Director, Vice President at Renasant Bank. Ms. Moore draws upon her humble beginnings in nurturing the grit of novice entrepreneurs and minority business owners, and increasing Renasant’s market share among diverse populations.
In her leadership capacity, Debra spearheads the bank’s commitment to increase consumer lending, capacity-building, and financial literacy in the minority community. Ms. Moore is a mentor, advocate, and facilitator of the Renasant Bank Roots Small Business and Capacity-Building Program, which educates and empowers small and minority-owned businesses to grow to their full potential, increase their revenue, networks, and business acumen.
In addition to helping businesses flourish, Debra is also a trusted financial advisor pivotal to the creation of generational wealth for her clients. She pays her success forward through service to the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Council for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, the Nashville Chamber West Advisory Council, and as a Director for the Greater Music City Kiwanis Foundation.
Ms. Moore also invests in the future by sharing her expertise with youth and the marginalized. She assists with the career readiness of promising young people in North Nashville through Goodwill Career Solutions. Debra addresses affordable housing through her service on the Advisory Committee for The Housing Fund. She serves on the board of the Tennessee Youth Courts and is a past Board Member of the Northwest Family YMCA and Metro Board of Fire & Building Codes.
Prior to joining Renasant Bank, Debra excelled as a Business Banking Relationship Manager and Financial Center Manager with First Horizon Bank; as an Account Executive with Bank of America; a Client Service Administrator at Deutsche Bank, and as an Agency Manager for Allstate Insurance. Ms. Moore graduated from East Nashville High School, attended MTSU and earned her Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University.
Who is Renasant Bank?
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, we have grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with approximately $17 billion in assets and 198 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Renasant’s success stems from each of our teammates’ commitment to diversity and inclusion, and investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people we serve.
What should we know about you?
I am a Nashville native and my roots run deep in Tennessee. I have worked in the financial services industry my whole career in banking, insurance, mortgages, and business banking. My passion of teaching financial literacy and mentoring has always been my way of giving back to my community. I enjoy traveling, music, and spending time with family and friends. I am a sports enthusiast who fell in love with soccer. Renasant Bank is the official bank of Nashville Soccer Club and the club’s inaugural MLS jersey sponsor. I also enjoy football (Titans), hockey (Preds), and golf.
What value do you see in Chamber involvement? How would you recommend getting involved at the Chamber?
From early in my career, I have always been involved with Chamber activities. The connections and the exposure have been pivotal to my success. I am grateful for the relationships that I have developed with many of the employees and other members. As a financial advisor, I will always suggest to entrepreneurs and relocating companies to get involved with the Chamber by joining the Area Advisory Councils, the Academies, and networking at Business After Hours to name a few.
What and who has inspired you professionally?
This is a tough question, as there have been many people who have been an inspiration to my life. I have been blessed to have had very good role models in my educational journey, within my family, and the leaders in my professional career.
My mother would be first pick, and then my paternal Grandmother who was a graduate of Tennessee State University, who owned her own home with my Grandfather. She encouraged me in my educational and professional pursuits. She also opened my eyes to the possibilities despite my circumstances and financed some of my training.
