Queens University of Charlotte is proud to host the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year event, continuing a rich tradition spanning over 35 years of honoring and developing female talent in our community. Established in 1986, this award honors the achievements of exceptional businesswomen based on their contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities in the Charlotte region.
2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year. The winner will be selected by a committee based on her contributions to business, civic and cultural life in the Charlotte region and announced in December.
We are pleased to present the 2022 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the year award to Diane (Di) Morais, President, Consumer & Commercial Banking of Ally Bank.
2022 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year
Diane (Di) Morais, President, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ally Bank
Diane (Di) Morais was named president, Consumer & Commercial Banking at Ally Bank in 2017. She is responsible for driving the growth, profitability, and digital evolution of Ally’s consumer and commercial banking division. Morais has oversight of the Deposits, Investing/Wealth Management, Credit Card, Mortgage, Lending, and Corporate Finance businesses. In addition, she oversees the company’s customer care channels, as well as the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program.
Morais joined Ally in 2008 and was instrumental in the creation and launch of the Ally brand the following year. Under Morais’ leadership, Ally Bank has achieved double-digit retail deposit growth each year, and now has more than 2.5 million customers and nearly $135 billion in retail deposits. Ally has received numerous third-party accolades, including being named “Best Online Bank” in America by Money® Magazine, as well as “Best Internet Bank” and “Best for Millennials” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
Prior to holding key leadership positions at Ally, Morais achieved a number of significant professional accomplishments in the financial services sector. During a career spanning twelve years at Bank of America, she served in senior roles in deposit and debit products, national customer experience, card services marketing and consumer mortgage vendor management. Morais also spent nine years at Citibank’s credit card division in a variety of marketing, risk and finance roles.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Morais holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University. She serves as Board Chair for Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas, and on the boards of both Charlotte Center City Partners and the YCMA of Greater Charlotte. In 2022, Morais was named to American Banker Magazine’s ‘25 Most Powerful Women in Banking’ list for the eighth consecutive year. Morais was also named one of the top 25 outstanding business women in the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2018 Women in Business Awards. She is active in the Charlotte community, serving as an “Executive in Residence” for Queens University and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Charlotte Catholic schools, and Dress for Success.
Contact Information
Allison Meyer-Tucker, CPCE
Director, Special Programs
meyer-tuckera@queens.edu
Presented to the Community by:
Previous Award Recipients
| 2022 Diane (Di) Morais | 2009 Cathy Bessant | 1996 Phyllis Schultz |
| 2021 Tanya S. Blackmon | 2008 Jennifer Appleby | 1995 Ruth Shaw |
| 2020 Dena Diorio | 2007 Lauri Eberhart | 1994 Katie Tyler |
| 2019 Peggy Brookhouse | 2006 Dee Dixon | 1993 Linda McFarland Farthing |
| 2018 Carol Lovin | 2005 Christie Taylor | 1992 Jill Flynn |
| 2017 Theresa Drew | 2004 Peyton Howell | 1991 Muriel Helms |
| 2016 Andrea B. Smith | 2003 Dana Rader | 1990 Patricia Rodgers |
| 2015 Debra Plousha Moore | 2002 Krista Tillman | 1989 Betty Trautwein & Elaine Lyerly |
| 2014 Susan DeVore | 2001 Vicki Wilson-McElreath | 1988 Dale Halton |
| 2013 Lynn Good | 2000 Mary Tribble | 1987 Bonnie Widenhouse |
| 2012 Laura A. Schulte | 1999 Jeannie Falknor | 1986 Joan Zimmerman |
| 2011 Ann Caulkins | 1998 Gail Brinn Wilkins | |
| 2010 Carol Hevey | 1997 Carol Pontis |