Jessica Lovell is the SVP, Director of Customer Experience at First National Bank Texas, President of Financial Women in Texas, and founder of Raevolution Speaking. With 27 years of dynamic experience—from sales to operations—under her belt, and no stranger to building career resilience, she balances innovating CX for her customers and inspiring audiences with her journey.
The CCWomen Summit stage was where Lovell redefined strength by embracing vulnerability, and since then, she’s gone on to speak for several more events. Known for her candor and courage, she continues to seek ways to empower her larger community, either through mentorship or storytelling.
Shiwon Oh: How have your career experiences influenced your decisions to explore public speaking?
Jessica Lovell: My career definitely influenced my decision to explore public speaking because it gave me a foundation and a message. I started in banking at 18 as a part-time teller and, over the course of more than two decades, worked my way into senior leadership. From the outside, that story can sound like a traditional success story, but what really shaped me were the deeper lessons underneath it. For a long time, I thought strength meant holding everything together and having all the answers. But over time, I realized that it's about being real.
As I grew, I began to see that the moments people connected with most were not just my accomplishments, but the honesty behind them. The more I shared my setbacks, insecurities, and lessons behind my success, the more I saw people feel free to be open, too.
I learned that the parts of my story I once wanted to hide were often the parts that helped others most. Public speaking became a natural outcome. I didn't step into it to talk about achievement or to inspire from a distance. I stepped into it because I believe stories can change people. Your story has power, especially when you're willing to tell the truth about it.
In 2023, I was going through something akin to a midlife crisis. I kept asking myself, what is my purpose? Why was I put on this earth? I loved my bank and what I did, but I felt called to something else. At the same time, the rational side of me said, You're finishing your degree; you don't have time to figure this out right now.
Then I spoke to a Women in Banking group at Texas Tech. One of the students messaged me about how my words impacted her and helped her feel hopeful about her future. She gave me courage, and I'll never forget how she inspired me. A year or two ago, I said, I want to be a speaker. Then it became, I'm going to do this next year. Then, I'm doing it in January.
Speaking gave me a way to turn my lived experience into something that could encourage and empower others. At some point, I realized it was what I was called to do.
SO: What accomplishments do you celebrate today? How do you lean on your community as you create a roadmap for what’s ahead?
JL: First and foremost, I celebrate my courage. I’m proud of my career and the impact I’ve had.
I’ve reached a point in my life where I care less about appearing accomplished and more about doing work that feels honest, meaningful, and aligned with my values. I’m still a work in progress, and I think it’s meaningful to say that out loud. We talk about growth as if it’s polished and complete, but so much of it actually happens in the messy middle. It’s brave of us to build while still becoming.
I cannot say enough about the power of community. Networks like CCWomen, Financial Women in Texas, and the Texas Bankers Association have surrounded me with authentic women who achieve incredible wins and help me feel seen. So many of them have allowed me to consider different perspectives and have pushed and challenged me very honestly. They refuse to let me stay small.
SO: How do you plan to empower others through your future career aspirations? What legacy do you want to build?
JL: I want to build something deeper and more intentional. While speaking is a major part of that plan, I may also begin consulting and coaching to support people more directly.
I love walking leaders through common struggles, like navigating difficult conversations, maintaining healthy communication, and building trust. I want to help people evolve, so that in turn, they elevate their entire organizations.
I’ve never been performative because I’m not good at being someone I’m not, but I used to hold back the real me. I was more buttoned up. Within the last few years, however, my give-a-damn meter just decreased.
Raevolution is deeply personal. “Rae” is a name shared by three generations of women in my family: my mother, me, and my daughter. Paired with “evolution,” it reflects the heart of my work: becoming more fully who you are meant to be.
The dandelion in my logo represents resilience and growth. Despite being overlooked, the flower is incredibly strong. Its seeds carry far beyond their point of origin, and to me, they symbolize words that persevere and take root. I hope my message operates similarly.
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