In a landmark move, Wells Fargo has appointed Darlene Goins as the head of philanthropy and community impact, as well as president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. This historic appointment marks the first time a Black woman has ascended to the foundation’s presidency, as confirmed by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
“Darlene brings a deep understanding of consumers and communities to this leadership position, which will help us take our philanthropic investments to the next level,” said Wells Fargo Vice Chairman of Public Affairs Bill Daley in a statement. “With her banking expertise and track record in creating community impact, we aim to open pathways to economic advancement and strengthen historically marginalized communities.”
Goins brings a wealth of experience to this critical role. Previously, she led the diverse customer segments within Wells Fargo’s small and business banking division, where she leveraged customer feedback, analytics, and insights to cater to the needs of the bank’s diverse clientele. Notably, she also spearheaded the Bank Inclusion Initiative, a 10-year commitment aimed at expanding access to affordable mainstream accounts and facilitating easier access to low-cost banking and financial education for unbanked individuals.
Prior to this, Goins served as the head of financial health philanthropy at the Wells Fargo Foundation, where she played a vital role in empowering underserved communities by tackling debt, promoting savings, and fostering wealth-building initiatives. Before joining Wells Fargo, she honed her leadership skills across various roles at FICO, a leading data and analytics company.
With Goins at the helm, Wells Fargo Foundation is poised to chart a new course for philanthropic impact, prioritizing economic empowerment and inclusivity for historically marginalized communities.
