Breaking Through Barriers: Chris Hairston-White Shares her Journey from Drag Racing to Banking Leadership

At an early age, Chris Hairston-White played and competed to win alongside the boys. That time of play helped build the mom,

wife, philanthropist, and banking expert that she is today. VA Style Mag had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader who

is a woman on fire for economic, physical, and community prosperity for all.

Growing up in Charles City County gave Mrs. Hairston-White the space to learn the value of family, community, and service to others. Although the county was under resourced and lacked accessible public and private amenities, it did provide the self-described, scrawny and adventurous child with a safe place to be creative and curious about all that surrounded her and beyond.

“The sound of engines roaring early on Saturday mornings was like an alarm clock,” recalled Mrs. Hairston-White, whose family has been drag racing for over 45 years. “I knew from that sound I was to get up and go as fast as I could to the finish line.”

Mrs. Hairston-White’s upbringing was the epitome of a strong family unit that had consistent examples of teamwork, discipline, innovation, and leadership. The overarching environment in her family’s household was unconditional love and respect.

“I’m daddy’s girl for sure,” Chris chuckled. “Being the daughter of a man who served in the military and was a mechanical engineer made it difficult to be a delicate flower and the boys nervous to ask me out on a date.”

Mrs. Hairston-White’s parents made sure their children were exposed to the world beyond their small, rural county borders. They traveled the country by RV often for vacation and while at home mandatory family dinnertime was spent talking about current events, politics, and religion.What it meant to be a citizen of the United States of America was ingrained in Chris and her older brother. Because of that, they had a sense of belonging everywhere.

“I have never entered a room questioning whether I belong.” Mrs. Hairston-White emphatically stated. “I just unapologetically pulled up at whatever table even if I had to squeeze in.”

Mrs. Hairston-White closely observed and picked up best practices from her family. From learning how to prepare a well-rounded meal to running a household like a business, she did not realize how these chores would be useful later in life. Little did Chris know that those transferrable skills were necessary building blocks for what would become a solid foundation for success. Instead of squeezing in, she is creating the tables where she sits.

Attending college was a non-negotiable for Mrs. Hairston-White. “I wasn’t given any other options for what to do after high school,” Chris explained. “I always had hypnotizing affirmations spoken in my presence pertaining to continuing my education four more years beyond high school.”

After starting out at Old Dominion University as a Graphic Design major, then transitioning to pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene, Mrs. Hairston-White ended up graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Business Marketing.

“I married a year after graduating from college and very determined to succeed.” Chris recalled. “Societal standards of success became a part of my vision board; a professional career, married to a like-motivated partner, two children, a home with a white picket fence.”

She had achieved it all, at least she thought, within three years. It was not long after she became the sole wage earner in her household and survival mode kicked into high gear. The need to transition from a commission only pay structure as a radio sales executive to a more stable, predictable income to support her young family ignited a career in the financial services industry.

“After putting my resume out there on Monster.com I was recruited to be a Personal Banker by Bank of America’s Retail Banking Group,” shared Mrs. Hairston-White. “I always tell people banking found me at a time when I needed it the most.”

Although not familiar with the many roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry, Mrs. Hairston-White quickly realized she wanted to do more. So, she identified people who would take her on as a mentee and was willing to take a chance on a young, emerging leader. As fate would have it, the world Chris was navigating was largely white and male dominated, and she was ready. Banking mentors and champions like the late David N. Smith, Victor Branch, Matthew Steilberg, Darius A. Johnson, and Lawrence Mitchell, to name a few, took Mrs. Hairston-White under their wing and introduced her to the movers and shakers in the industry.

“I was not coy about finding a mentor,” said Chris. “I understood the power of establishing a network.” Each mentor opened the doors to the financial institutions Ms. Hairston-White was employed. Eventually, the mentee became the mentor to others.

Mrs. Hairston-White’s climb up the banking career ladder has been a feat of strength with many humbling moments along the way. “There were instances I wanted to give up and the pressure to beat the odds weighed heavily on me.,” she expressed. “God’s grace and the desire to show my daughters what is possible when boundaries are pushed still keep me going.”

It comes as no surprise that a leap of faith career change into the not-for-profit community development work would not be any different. Often people can see potential in someone beyond a job title on a business card. Greta J. Harris, President and CEO of Better Housing Coalition, is that visionary leader who was seeking to grow her leadership team with an “off the radar” fund development professional.

“I thought Greta was looking for a good banker,” Ms. Hairston-White laughed. “Next thing I know I was slowly replacing my dark business suits and pumps for a hard hat and sensible shoes.” The war wounds, scars, and tears building her career in banking were worthwhile, especially when those experiences were able to be leveraged in communities most deserving of the skills and training captured along the way.

When she thought she had settled in for the long haul at Better Housing Coalition, the financial service industry once again came back full circle at a time of social unrest and a global pandemic. The timing of this perfect storm moment was concurrent to Ms. Hairston-White’s return to banking when SWaM businesses needed equitable, flexible capital the most.

Mrs. Hairston-White joined Virginia Community Capital as VP, Director of Operations, in November of 2020 when the second round of CARES act Payment Protection Program funds were being deployed. “I, like most people, had no clue what a community development financial institution was before this time in our history.,” said Mrs. Hairston-White. “Today, I hear TikTok videos are being made about CDFI’s.”

The purpose-driven thread continues to weave in and out of Ms. Hairston-White’s personal and professional life. The thought, Mrs. Hairston-White said, that my career moves would lead me to where I am today never crossed my mind as a young person. I am still amazed that I get to show up daily authentic and bold for equitable access to all life has to offer all citizens.

With an ecosystem of community partners, social impact investors, and stakeholders, CDFIs work alongside community citizens to help address the social determinants of health with capital and advisory services. Each day they are working hard, listening and learning, to better serve entrepreneurs whose small businesses power the backbone of our economy.

Chris quickly progressed at Virginia Community Capital and was able to strategically lead and execute in operations, business development, and lending.

“I have deep, tangled roots in Virginia,” Mrs. Hairston-White said. “When I drive across the state and beyond visiting the communities I serve through my work, I often slow down, take a deep breath, and express gratitude for the journey and the road yet traveled.” - M.M.G

You can connect with Chris Hairston-White on LinkedIn! To do so, visit LinkedIn.com/in/chris-hairston-white.