Meredith Reedy profiled by CBJ for Women in Business Award
Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Farm Credit Lending Meredith Reedy was profiled by CBJ for the “Women in Business Awards: Winners talk big wins, hard lessons and more” article published March 15. Every year since 1997, the Charlotte Business Journal has recognized outstanding women who are creating an impact in the region through their work in the public and private sectors.
Meredith French Reedy
Member, co-head of Farm Credit Lending team, Moore & Van Allen
Responsibilities: I am a member of MVA’s financial services team, representing lenders in connection with credit facilities of all types, with a specific focus on representation of Farm Credit System banks. I also co-lead WoMVA, our business resource group for the female professionals at the firm.
What professional achievement are you most proud of? I’m proud of the growth of our Farm Credit Lending team and the relationships we have built with our clients at those institutions. We were able to recognize an area of lending that was ripe for expansion and put in the time to make ourselves subject-matter experts where others may not have seen the opportunity. Our clients view us as strategic partners in their growth.
Why did you choose your field or profession, or how did you get started in it? My parents would say I’ve been fine tuning my negotiating skills from a very young age. With respect to agricultural lending specifically, I was fortunate to have the opportunity as a fairly junior associate to work closely with seasoned bankers who were really seeking to grow the Farm Credit System’s reach. The senior partner I worked with regularly encouraged me to take an active role in growing that new practice area for the firm.
What inspires or motivates you? I’m motivated by the junior members on our team — I want them to see that there is not a single path to success and that success looks different for every person and at every stage in your career. And, of course, my daughter and son inspire me. While efficiency may be paramount at work, in my personal life, they help me to slow down and appreciate the small things.
Are there any extraordinary obstacles you’ve had to overcome, or was there a moment when you got a big break? There was no particular moment — in fact, I think the ability to see the practice of law and the growth of our agricultural lending practice through a longer-term lens has served our team well.
What’s the most common mistake you see young professionals make? Thinking they need to do everything on their own. While some may not view practicing law as a team sport, working with your colleagues yields much better results for your clients and makes for a more fulfilling career.
Hobbies: Water skiing and being on the water; snow skiing; spending time with my family and our dogs; and exercising