Not-for-profit financial institution, GTE Financial, is proud to announce Dona Svehla, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, has been named a 2023 BusinessWoman of the Year honoree by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Chosen from hundreds of nominees, Svehla is among 31 honorees getting recognition this year.
"I could not think of a better person who deserves this incredible recognition than Dona," says Tabitha Roach, Vice President of Member Home Loans. "Dona has made a profoundly positive impact on not just myself, but the entire Lending team. She is an exceptional leader and mentor, paving the way for the next generation of female business executives."
As Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, Svehla has more than 27 years of experience in lending, loss prevention, and collections. Dona focuses on creating innovative products and solutions for members, while maintaining a strong revenue stream for the credit union. Additionally, Svehla was a Credit Union National Association Lending Council member with experience as a professional mentor to those looking to build their competency, leadership skills, and networking contacts within the credit union industry. She is also on the Board of Directors for Campo Family YMCA and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2023 BusinessWoman of the Year awards chose a smaller roster of honorees than in years past, resulting in a higher scrutiny of candidate submissions. This was done to raise the caliber of the honorees, adding more weight and value to this recognition in the years to come. Honorees were celebrated at a black-tie Gala and awards presentation at the Vinoy in St. Pete and were recognized for their successes and accomplishments.
