Written by Trish B
Nicole Elam, the youngest President and CEO of the National Bankers Association (NBA) since its founding in 1927, is making remarkable strides in advancing financial inclusion and supporting minority-owned banks across the U.S. With nearly two decades of experience in public policy and public affairs, Elam brings a wealth of knowledge and a clear vision for economic equity in underserved communities.
Elam joined the NBA in May 2021 after a distinguished career at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she served as Vice President and Director of Government Relations. In that role, she developed public policy strategies and led national engagement efforts, working to advance JPMorgan’s commitment to invest $30 billion over five years to advance racial equity and drive inclusive economic growth. Her experience with such an important initiative underscores her commitment to driving systemic change in the financial sector.
Prior to her tenure at JPMorgan Chase, Elam led government and external affairs for ITT Educational Services, Inc., serving as the principal spokesperson and liaison with policymakers, trade organizations and the public. She also held senior positions at Ice Miller Strategies LLC, a government affairs firm, where her work focused on building relationships across sectors to influence positive policy outcomes.
Nicole’s foundation in law and policy is extensive. He held positions as an attorney at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, focusing on congressional investigations and government enforcement actions. In addition, she gained experience as a legal clerk at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Washington, D.C. Her early career also included roles as director of communications at the Black Leadership Forum and as a legislative assistant at the NAACP Washington Bureau.
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Elam holds a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Howard University School of Law, where she served as a solicitation editor for the Law Review. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University. Her academic achievements and leadership roles have prepared her for the challenges of leading the NBA and advocating for financial inclusion on a national scale.
Driving the future of minority-owned banks
As CEO of the National Bankers Association, Elam is a leading voice for minority-owned banks and financial institutions. Its goal is to empower these banks to better serve their communities, improve access to capital and promote generational wealth. By building partnerships with larger financial institutions and enhancing the flow of capital to minority banks, Elam is actively working to bridge financial gaps and create a fairer financial landscape.
Her tenure at the NBA has been characterized by a vision of financial inclusion, community empowerment and strategic alliances. Nicole Elam’s leadership sets a new standard for what it means to drive meaningful change in the financial sector by ensuring that minority-owned banks have the resources and support they need to thrive.
