Life's journey takes one on twists and turns. When you're prepared, "luck" and opportunities present themselves and good outcomes may be enjoyed. In this episode of Discover Lafayette, close friends and work partners Beth Ardoin and Beth Trotter (affectionately known as "B1 and B2") share their unique journeys which led them to IBERIABANK leadership positions and the paths they follow to help others thrive and excel.

Beth Ardoin has been with IBERIABANK since 2002, at a time when the bank was in a transition, being converted from a thrift to a more traditional commercial bank. With a background in print media and publishing, she brought needed experience in marketing to their target audience of privately-held commercial businesses. In the 17 years she has been with the bank, it has grown through the acquisition of 25 banks across the Southeast United States. With that expansion came additional opportunities for Beth to manage operations affecting IBERIABANK's 3600 employees. Beth now serves as Senior Executive VP and Director of Communications, Facilities, and Human Resources, as well as chief of staff for CEO Daryl Bird. Beth also just concluded service on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's New Orleans branch.

Beth Trotter, a Tulane Law School graduate, joined IBERIABANK ten years ago as a staff attorney and is now an Executive Vice President and CRA officer. "CRA" stands for the federal Community Reinvestment Act, a law that directs banks to help meet the credit needs of low-and-moderate income neighborhoods in the communities in which they operate. Lending, Investment, and Service are the focus of the CRA. While the CRA doesn't directly mandate that banks provide grants to low-income homebuyers, the bank has chosen to implement a program that assists first time home buyers with up to $4000 in down payment assistance. "First responder" first time home buyers are eligible for up to $5000 toward their down payment. For the past few years, up to $1.5 million per year has been granted to first time home buyers affiliated with the CRA program; a total of $3 million per year has been granted to CRA-related programs. Beth's outstanding work in this field has garnered her a national reputation as a sought after expert.

One community partner which IBERIABANK is proud to partner with is the non-profit Habitat for Humanity, with its approximately 12 to 15 branches across the nine-state region in which the bank is located. Beth Trotter served on Lafayette's Habitat board for five years and chaired the Women Build committee in 2017 and 2018. Habitat not only builds homes but is a mortgage lender. The bank buys back loans extended by Habitat so as to allow the non-profit to invest back in the community and have available funds to loan to deserving participants. Habitat's success is exemplary, building approximately 12 homes per year, with an extremely low default rate (less than 5%) by their clients. All Habitat homebuyers must first qualify by having taking financial literacy classes as well as money-management and home maintenance classes. Clients must also invest at least 100 hours working to build their home and other Habitat client homes.

"Looking back over the past twenty years or so, the conversation was you were either a stay at home mom or you were a working mom. Today the conversation is completely different as 50% of the workforce is occupied by women. It's not about whether you will work, but how are you going to be successful as you work and provide a great life for your family. The banking industry is changing with lots of opportunities for women in leadership positions. There is no better time than now for women to find their spot and take opportunities that are there for them." Beth Ardoin

Approximately 60% of IBERIABANK's workforce is f...