Matt Toles
Matt Toles ‘97
Dominican University Board of Trustees member
COLLEGE: Rosary College of Arts and Sciences
DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts with double major in European Studies and Political Science
JD from UIC Law, 2004
CURRENT EMPLOYER: PNC Bank
CURRENT OCCUPATION: Senior Vice President/Sales & Service Manager
Describe your career path:
After graduating from Rosary/Dominican in 1997, I worked at an import/export company in Chicago. I left there after four months to enter banking, where I have been ever since. In the banking world, I have held various positions supporting the branch network. Currently, I oversee the sales practices, goals, and service execution of a thousand employees across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. I was at Bank of America for twelve years and have been at PNC Bank for 16. At the same time, I started at PNC Bank, I started my part-time (and favorite) job as an adjunct lecturer at DU teaching law and in the seminar program.
Why did you choose Rosary College/Dominican University?
Coming from a small town in southern Illinois, I wanted a university in or near a large city that had an international program where I was not a number. The small class sizes let the professors truly know each of their students and helped me grow as a young adult. The professors challenged me in ways that helped me improve my critical thinking and presentation skills. I was able to participate in the London program in 1995, and it was hands down the best semester of my entire education. I learned quite a bit in one of the world's most interesting cities.
How did Rosary College/Dominican University impact your professional and/or personal life?
The friends that I made at Rosary/Dominican thirty-two years ago are still my friends today. We have supported each other through our professional and personal lives. Having that professional network has been helpful in many situations.
Who influenced you the most during your time at Rosary/Dominican?
Three people come to mind who have influenced me at DU and continue to be mentors to me today. Deb Kash, Ann Colmo, and Janice Monti. When I was at Rosary/DU, Deb Kash was our advisor for Student Government. She always engagingly pushed me to consider the different ways to approach a situation. Ann Colmo and Janice Monti, were two of my professors who never let up and always believed in me. I still remember our spirited debates about monarchy and the middle east. It was never about proving who was right or wrong, but about helping me expand how I looked at and thought about the world and how to express those ideas.
What is your fondest memory of college?
My fondest memory of college was participating in various clubs and Student Government Association. I use skills learned from those organizations in my current position almost daily. Leadership is an invaluable skill that helped me in all my post-graduation positions.
What is your greatest professional and/or personal accomplishment?
The development of over fifty people who were promoted to their desired positions. Few people would be where they are today without the support of others. So many people have helped me in the past that I take joy in helping others achieve their goals. It is important to give back.