Dana Zeller | COO, BHI — AI, Operations & Authentic Leadership in Banking

What does it take to lead operations at a growing commercial bank in today's rapidly shifting financial landscape? In this episode of the Women of Community Banking Podcast, we sit down with Dana Zeller, Chief Operating Officer at BHI — a US commercial bank backed by an Israel-based parent institution — for one of the most honest, unfiltered conversations we've ever had about banking leadership, technology adoption, and building a career on your own terms.Dana's story is one nobody plans. A math major who almost ended up at a fashion magazine, she stumbled into financial services via a newspaper job ad — and never looked back. Over 25 years, she's held roles across Morgan Stanley (15+ years), Citizens Bank, Bank Leumi, a Bitcoin startup, and now BHI, where she's helping build the bank's US operations from the ground up.In this episode, Dana gets real about:— Why leaving Morgan Stanley after 15 years was the scariest and smartest decision she ever made— How BHI is approaching technology adoption without alienating employees or regulators— The truth about AI in banking — what's actually happening vs. what's just hype— Why "buy-in" always beats "best idea" when driving innovation in operations— The fax machine still sitting in her storage room (yes, really)— How in-house AI models will be the next major leap for community banks— What it means to find your "home" as a woman leader in financial services— Why her employees are becoming technologists without even realizing itDana doesn't sugarcoat. She talks about being told to change her style, her approach, even her hair — and why finding a workplace where you can show up authentically is the single most important career decision any woman in banking can make.Whether you're a banking executive navigating digital transformation, a woman building her career in financial services, or a fintech professional trying to understand how community banks really think — this episode will give you frameworks, perspectives, and honest insights you won't find anywhere else.🎙️ Guest: Dana Zeller, COO — BHI🏦 Topics: AI in banking, operations leadership, women in finance, community banking strategy, data governance, technology adoption, career pivots