English and economics alumnus applies leadership skills throughout eclectic career in financial services

Donald Dennis ’86 sees change as an opportunity for growth. In his almost 40 years as a leader in the financial services industry, Dennis has managed information technology teams, developed learning solutions, and implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. In 2025, as executive vice president and community development director at Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio, he strengthens communities by ensuring they have access to affordable loans, investments, and other financial products. 

Dennis credits the education he received at The College of Wooster for providing him with the skills he needed to thrive, no matter the job. “My ability to transition through different roles at different companies with different people was built on an architecture that began with a liberal arts education,” he said. “It teaches you how to go into an environment that is foreign to you, communicate effectively, build relationships, and think critically. Those are all tools that help you succeed.” 

Wooster drew Dennis in because he knew he could receive a world-class education while continuing his athletic career. He played basketball for two years and ran track all four. He also was a member of the Black Student Association and the Men of Harambee. His experiences with these teams and groups taught him how to connect and work with others. “I’m a Philadelphian, so moving to a small college town like Wooster gave me the opportunity to engage with people from a variety of backgrounds, including international students,” said Dennis, who majored in English and economics. “It made me curious about people and the experiences they had that were perhaps different from mine.” 

Dennis began his career as a management consultant and has steadily moved up the ranks over the years. As he began taking on more leadership responsibilities, he found that he relied more and more on the interpersonal skills he developed at Wooster. 

“Leaders must be able to listen for understanding and listen with empathy. They must have the ability to coach and accept coaching,” he said. “The most important thing is to be your authentic self. We all come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives on things, and when we add that to the mix, it becomes a more diverse and inclusive collaboration of ideas. That authenticity and collaboration unlocks potential and ultimately is how innovation occurs.” 

Whether serving as director of enterprise applications, senior vice president of learning and leader development, or chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer—all titles he has held throughout his career—Dennis strives to lead with humility and motivate his teams to perform at their highest level. “There is an accountability to those who choose to follow you. I do think that’s a choice,” he said. “People are looking for inspiration. They’re looking for someone to follow who has a vision for a way forward and a plan for how to achieve it. What’s implied in leadership is that we’re going somewhere. We’re leading to something or somewhere or some outcome. People are paying attention to what you do and what you say, and they will choose to follow you if they believe that you are genuine in your approach to taking them somewhere.” 

In his current role, Dennis is leading his team to drive positive change in the community. His position is, in many ways, his dream job. “I believe I have the best job in the bank,” Dennis said. “I wake up every day with the opportunity to ensure that communities are sustainable for years to come. My work aligns very closely with my personal passion of looking out for people and ensuring that all people have fair and equitable access to the resources they need to live their lives to the fullest.” 

For Dennis, that includes access to higher education. He thinks liberal arts colleges in particular are more important today than they have ever been. 

“Employers value the skills that the liberal arts education supports, including critical thinking, communication, curiosity, and self-awareness,” he said. “Those are all things that are in high demand in today’s world, and things that The College of Wooster and other liberal arts universities are best suited to deliver.” 

Featured image: Donald Dennis ’86, photo provided by subject.

This story originally appeared in the summer 2025 issue of Wooster magazine. 

Posted in Alumni, Magazine on July 2, 2025.