Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services.
Our new Leading Light category recognises individuals who play a pivotal role in progressing equity and inclusion and is open to individuals from organisations that serve the corporate treasury community.
Atta Barlas, the Highly Commended Winner in EMEA, has worked for Bank of America since 2017, when he joined the bank from Wells Fargo. In his current role, he partners with global coverage teams to provide tailored treasury solutions to corporate clients.
A worthy recipient of this prestigious award, Atta has a long history of championing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, from mentoring new hires to facilitating discussions about unconscious bias.
DEI initiatives
Raised by parents who immigrated to the UK in the 1960s – and cognisant of the challenges they encountered as they worked to build a better life – Atta has championed diversity and inclusion from an early age. He is a strong advocate for attracting talent from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and a supporter of the bank’s Africa Recruitment initiative. His achievements in this area include being named the Global BofA Culture Champion for driving DEI and developing junior talent.
Atta has leveraged numerous DEI initiatives to arrange both internal and external events. These include panel discussions on unconscious bias, as well as cultural inclusion discussions in which panellists from different backgrounds speak about adapting to change, as well as the similarities and differences of working in new cultures. Atta has also delivered client panels in which treasury professionals from Fortune 500 companies share the work being done by their employers in the DEI space.
An effective mentor who has coached more than 15 colleagues around the world, Atta also acts as a technical mentor in order to impart industry knowledge to others. And where recruitment is concerned, Atta plays an active role in making sure hiring activities are carried out through a diversity and inclusion lens.
“In terms of what it means to me in receiving the award, from early on in my life I have championed both inclusivity and diversity personally and professionally. I am passionate about ensuring our industry and the workforce in general continues to be a true representation of the societies we operate within, be it from a Race and Ethnicity or Gender and Socio Economic background perspective.
Having worked at Bank of America now for the past eight years, being involved in multiple initiatives focussing on such issues, it is amazing to have won such an accolade which I know will mean so much to my 11 year old daughter and 15 year old son, who both have to put up with my passionate speeches most evenings of the week over dinner.”
Opening up possibilities
On another note, Atta has taken a proactive approach in collaborating with charitable partners. These include Inspiring the Future, which opens up possibilities to children by bringing real-world experiences to the classroom, and the Amos Bursary, which aims to positively shape the future of young people of African and Caribbean heritage.
Particularly noteworthy is the Global Payments Career Day which Atta pioneered in 2023 in collaboration with the Amos Bursary. This involved welcoming 39 students aged between 16 and 19 from diverse backgrounds to learn how payments sit within the banking ecosystem – an initiative which has subsequently led to a number of applicants successfully applying to BofA’s graduate programmes.
Following the programme’s resounding success, it has become an annual event, with 2025 marking its third consecutive year and over 50 students expected to attend. The programme has an important role to play in demystifying the world of payments and addressing any unconscious stigma that might be associated with banking and finance in some communities.
Last but not least, Atta is a member of a global taskforce raising awareness on DEI. In this capacity, he has orchestrated and delivered speaker sessions on topics such as attracting female talent to male-dominated industries, managing a career alongside carer duties, and working across different cultures.
“I’ve partnered with Atta Barlas over the last three years, and his support of local charities has been exceptional. He has led events with organisations such as Amos Bursary, and I know directly from the charity how important this work has been to further their engagement with young people. Atta is passionate and committed to supporting partners in the community where he lives and works.”
– Kelly Jo Lihaven, SVP, Head of Philanthropy and Social Investment, Bank of America
“I’ve worked with Atta in several capacities over the past few years. He works closely with my US-based treasury sales team to advise our corporate clients on European cash management trends and best practices. He also plays a lead role in driving our global subsector strategy to deepen industry knowledge and expertise around the world. Most recently, I’ve seen the results of his D&I leadership in my former role as co-Chair of the Employee Engagement & Inclusion Council.
“I’ve been so impressed with Atta’s leadership and commitment to Global Opportunity & Inclusion initiatives across our business. He has pioneered and twice led BofA’s annual career day with the Amos Bursary, creating opportunities for roughly 50 ethnically diverse students each year to spend time with BofA employees to learn more about career paths in banking.
“Atta has also organised and facilitated a variety of internal panel discussions focused on cultural awareness, unconscious bias, and the importance of ‘S’ within ESG. In addition, he’s fully invested in developing rising talent, mentoring over 15 colleagues around the world. Atta’s inclusion impact has been broad and his passion inspiring!”
– Brittany Marten, Managing Director, Global Industrials Treasury Sales Head, Bank of America
Treasury Today Group’s Within Awards celebrate exceptional talent and dedicated individuals changing their corporations from within. To find out more please visit treasurytoday.com/women-in-treasury/awards/
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