Majda Hadzic

Market director, Iowa and Nebraska, JPMorgan Chase

Age: 35

Spouse: Haris Hadzic 

Children: Two boys, Kenan and Kian  

Mentor: Marta Codina, former region bank president, Wells Fargo, currently senior vice president branch growth and administration.

Reasons she is a Forty: Majda was selected as the executive director of banking for Iowa and Nebraska in an effort to expand the nation’s largest bank into all 48 contiguous states. She helps countless individuals reach their professional goals and is a mentor to many in the community. Her love for culture, diversity and inclusion is displayed through her deep involvement with CultureALL. Majda is involved with several local organizations and chambers. She engages with them monthly — her involvement helps her and her team identify where to give back in the communities. 

What are your goals in your role at your company? My goals at JPMorgan Chase are to fuel economic growth, help our communities and those within to thrive, and hire diverse talent that reflects the local community in which we serve, with an overall focus to enhance financial confidence for all. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? Continue to demonstrate my love and passion for the Des Moines community with the support of Chase. As an organization we’ve had the opportunity to “bridge the gap” in communities across the U.S. I’m pleased that I can expand those efforts in Central Iowa through volunteerism, philanthropic giving and involvement. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? My passion is to help others thrive. Whether it was learning a new language, assimilating into a new culture or helping me through my career, I’ve always had someone selflessly and voluntarily help me out. Now it’s my turn to reach out and help people prosper professionally and personally. 

What is it that drives you? As a refugee, fleeing war-torn Bosnia, moving numerous times, I’ve watched my parents overcome challenges. I always think if I were in my 20s with children, how would I handle being ripped from my home and placed into a foreign land, living in refugee camps, without speaking the language? 

What are your future aspirations? Keep building confidence in others, help individuals feel self-assurance by recognizing their own skills and strength, and develop talent in hopes to make a small impact on their lives, and in turn the success of our community. 

Three hobbies: I work out every day; it gives me focus, energy and balance. I love to spend time with my family. I like to travel as much as possible. 

Fun fact: Majda never attended seventh or eighth grade. She went straight into ninth grade as a 13-year-old. 

One word to describe you: Tenacious. 

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? “We’re talking not where these people are going to live, but whether they’re going to live.” - Robert Ray

My wish is to be the “welcoming state” for refugees, the first to say, “We’re here to help and support."

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? I am a refugee, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend. My upbringing has given me some cuts, bumps and bruises, but with it there’s also been a tremendous amount of gratitude, satisfaction and success. These experiences shaped who I am today and have instilled in me a profound desire to succeed, to appreciate, and most importantly, to help others succeed. The only way to rise is by uplifting others. 

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? Build your legacy. At your retirement party, what do you want people to say about you? Every day, you can build that legacy. Even on days when you don’t feel like building your legacy, someone is noticing your moments, and your actions show up to the best of your ability.