When she’s not in the kitchen dishing up her signature prawn curry, NAB Senior Transactional Banking Manager Yusra is helping her customers decipher the complex world of payments.

Yusra was four years old when she moved from Sri Lanka to Melbourne and says the blend of cultures has become a cornerstone of her identity and professional journey.

Fresh out of university, she landed her first role in collections at NAB and never looked back.

“I’m a Nabbie through and through,” she says.

“My first day in the Transactional Direct team was a turning point in my career and life, it really set me up to work in an area I am very passionate about.”

Yusra works in the Melbourne Transactional Banking team where she helps customers with their everyday banking needs. She said it’s here where she feels most energised and where she sees herself making an impact.

“I get a lot of satisfaction from helping clients manage their finances. Everything from supporting them to improve their cashflow and their processing methods to helping them mitigate the risks of fraud and cybercrime.

It might sound nerdy to some, but I’m passionate about making things simple and easy for customers, especially when it comes to the systems and processes customers use every single day. Transactional banking is the bread and butter of banking, it’s critical,” she said.

In her early career, Yusra faced numerous challenges, but her resilience and determination kept her moving forward. Her ability to connect with clients on a personal level, understanding their unique needs and backgrounds, set her apart as a leader in the industry – winning her the Emerging Leader Award at the Women in Payments Symposium last week.

“As I navigated the corporate world, I found myself increasingly drawn to my cultural roots and really leaned in to embracing my identity as a Sri Lankan Muslim woman.”

“I’m a proud representative of cultural diversity at NAB. My connection to my heritage has allowed me to build deeper connections with customers and colleagues.”

Winning the Emerging Leader Award has been an unforgettable experience for Yusra, marking a significant milestone in her career. This accolade is not just a recognition of her professional achievements but also a celebration of the cultural values that have guided her.

Yusra attributes her success to being authentic and representing her true self, a piece of advice she holds dear and shares with others. “Best career advice? Be authentic and don’t be afraid to represent your true self”, she said.