Meet Lauren Dubé

We recently connected with Lauren Dubé and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

All of my best relationships, both professionally and personally, have been formed when I’m the most authentic version of myself. That means being transparent, whether it’s admitting I don’t have all the answers or sharing my feelings of self-doubt. What I’ve found is that, almost every time, others relate to those feelings, and it creates genuine connection.

I also remind myself that feeling this way usually comes from caring deeply about what I’m working on. Those intentions often lead to better outcomes than letting imposter syndrome hold me back. By focusing on the good work we’re doing at Climate First Bank and staying open with myself and others, I’ve been able to turn those feelings into opportunities for growth.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I started my banking career in 2013 working for one of the big banks. To be honest, I hated it. I had great co-workers but felt that the financial system was too ugly for me to want to have a part in it. However, someone convinced me that there was another side to banking, one that focused on using it for good. I took a job at Ken LaRoe’s second bank, First GREEN Bank, in 2014 and have been in the values-aligned banking space ever since. When Ken asked me to join the founding team for Climate First Bank it was to lead the Bank’s mission-aligned initiatives. Climate First Bank has done a lot of incredible work since opening its doors in 2021. We became a Certified B Corp, joined the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, have done over $150MM in solar lending, and have given over $200k to environmental nonprofits. It has been a blast and I’m glad I found this side of banking 10 years ago.

BASIC BACKGROUND
Climate First Bank is an FDIC-insured, for-profit, mission-driven financial institution committed to combating the climate crisis.

Founded in 2021 in Florida, Climate First Bank operates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and three countries, offering eco-conscious customers loan options for solar photovoltaic (PV), energy retrofits and infrastructure – among other projects – to invest in climate resilience.

Business is booming – with total assets growing to 850m in just three years, making Climate First Bank the fastest growing new bank in America since 2009. Specifically, our solar book has grown to be 150M in just two years. This is incredibly gratifying and a reflection of the overwhelming demand and commitment to fighting climate change.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the relationships I’ve built over the past 10 years have been the most impactful part of my journey. When I first entered this space, I actively sought out community—joining networks, attending events, volunteering, and learning from mentors. Along the way, I taught myself how to confidently articulate my “why,” step out of my comfort zone, and ask thoughtful questions.

Even now, these practices continue to shape me. They enhance my communication skills, strengthen my ability to build meaningful connections, and help me adapt to challenges while staying true to my values in the banking industry.

My advice would be to find your community and lean into the opportunities that come from it.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always looking to partner or collaborate with individuals and organizations who are passionate about creating positive social and environmental impact. At Climate First Bank we love working with professionals in sustainable business, climate action, nonprofits, fellow B Corps, and innovative thought leaders. If you share these passions, I’d love to connect—please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or email.

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