Keonna Johnson is currently a District Director of Operations, overseeing store operations and Team Members across North Georgia. She began her career with the TMX Finance® Family of Companies at Equity Auto Loans, a former brand of the Company, in 2012 as a Store Manager. Her career progressed, and she transitioned to a General Manager position with the Company’s InstaLoan® brand, formerly in Georgia. As she continued her career with the Company, she served as a General Manager for our TitleMax® brand in the Norcross, GA market before being promoted to District Director of Operations in 2022.
Throughout my career with the TMX Finance® Family of Companies, I have had the opportunity and the encouragement to participate in Team Up, the Company’s mentorship program, that pairs Team Members with Company leaders to help guide and enhance their careers. Numerous District Director of Operations and Regional Vice Presidents have mentored me and helped mold, develop, and motivate me throughout my career. Other mentors that hold a special place in my heart are Sr Director of Field Talent Management Kate Andersen and Director of People Development Store Operations Amanda Barnes. They supported me through my decision to take the next step in my career and were always there rooting for me.
The TMX Finance® Family of Companies also offers other ways to feel supported at work. The Empower Resource Group (ERG) program are small groups where we can discuss workplace and societal topics then collaborate freely to help spark innovation, drive creativity, and advance our skills through talking about our unique perspectives. I joined the BELIEVE: Black Employee Leading Innovation through Elevating Visions & Empowerment ERG, and it has allowed me to strengthen my voice and partner with multiple Team Members across the Company. Having multiple empowerment opportunities has led me to what I believe is the most empowering moments in my career: when I participated one of the Company’s “Leaders Making History” panel in early 2023. This panel was beautiful way to share my experiences being a successful African American woman in the workforce; the memory will live rent free in my head for years to come!
While helping lead a Company-wide panel discussion is my most empowering moment, I have to say my proudest accomplishment during my career thus far was bringing in the highest number of interviews to our largest hiring event of the year, National Hiring Day, and earning the recognition for it! As a newly promoted DDO at the time, this was no small feat, and I have the support of my leadership team and district to thank for helping accomplish this personal achievement.
I feel like every day with the TMX Finance® Family of Companies is special. I have a career that I love and have been able to work with a great team of talented individuals who perform and who are results-driven. I am able to coach, develop, and mentor my Team Members as we navigate through the Company. I enjoy all of these things and they’re impactful to me because I get to see Team Members grow to new heights and excel in their own careers every day.
If I could give advice to someone just starting their career journey with the Company, it would be to believe in yourself, work hard, and you can go far in your career here. If nothing else, trust the process!