Finance/Insurance: JANET N. TOPE

Nearly five years ago, Wells Fargo made Tope its regional head for parts of the Richmond, Peninsula and Hampton Roads regions. She oversees 118 retail banking branches and serves as the company’s community ambassador.

Tope has worked in banking for more than three decades in Florida and Virginia. Previously, she served as the greater Richmond area president for Wells Fargo. She was also the community bank president for Southeastern Virginia for Wachovia. 

Tope sits on the board of the Virginia Bankers Association. She’s also a board member of Communities in Schools, a Richmond nonprofit that supports students in high poverty neighborhood schools, and the Richmond Forum, a nonprofit that sponsors a speakers series featuring national and global celebrities, politicians and thought leaders.

Although Tope received a business degree from Florida State University, she grew up in Gainesville and cheers for the University of Florida Gators.

PERSON I ADMIRE: My dad. He always helped others — even if it meant he had to sacrifice something himself.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Look in the mirror and ask, “Would I want to work for me or with me?”

WHAT MAKES ME PASSIONATE ABOUT MY WORK:  The people, my team