A Black Executive – Marcus Hooper-Morton

Marcus Hooper-Morton (Greenwich, CT)
Career: Director of Finance

Steps towards becoming a Director of Finance: During my high school years, I had an internship through my school and worked at CitiBank. Through that experience, I found a mentor who guided me towards more opportunities. I grew as a professional at Citi, and it gave me a chance to explore various career options, which led me to finally reach the Director of Finance. In between those steps, I worked in Human Resources, Pay Roll, Wealth Management Advisor, Independent Consultant, and more. It has been a journey to reach the Director of Finance position. Raising in a career comes from lots of hard work and long hours, but it’s worth it.

1) What 3 tips would you give someone struggling to reach their goals?

The three most essential tips that have helped me along the way is to network with folks who have already achieved the goals, one is looking to achieve.

Second, claim your goals and never back down.

Last, learn as much as possible about what you are trying to achieve.

2) Name the top 3 goals that you have achieved in your life:

1. Accomplished every career endeavor I’ve set my mind to.

2. Achieved relationship goals in both in a significant other as well as some of my closest friends.

3. And most importantly peace of mind and knowing who I am.

3) What inspired you to reach your goals?

The main inspiration that pushed me to achieve my goals was from my grandmother, my favorite aunt, and my uncle. They were all very strong-minded, determined, and never backed down. I firmly believe they live within me.

4) How did you overcome obstacles and reach your goals?

I’ve had many obstacles in reaching my goals indeed.

The valuable advice my friends, my partner, my former managers, colleagues, and of course, my mom and uncle provides has helped me to push forward. As they say, “it takes a village to raise a child” … So very true!

5) How do you keep your inspiration from decreasing?

It’s been so long that I’ve been working, waking up early, taking care of my elders. So, its a cross between my conditioning as a child where I had to wake up 6am just to go to the grocery store. It was an expectation that we had to be the first one in the store to get the freshest and finest food before anyone else – it was all conditioning.

Also, I feel I’m living on through my ancestors who, were all no-nonsense, all about independence and never backing down. So, it is impossible for my inspiration to decrease.

A Black Executive