As deputy general counsel and assistant corporate secretary of SunTrust, Shelli Willis led her company’s legal team through the largest bank merger and one of the most significant transactions, regardless of industry, since the financial crisis of 2007. She was also a significant influence in the integration of SunTrust and BB&T, including combining her company’s 10-person board and the 11-person BB&T board.

Willis, who graduated from Emory University School of Law and worked for nearly 24 years at Troutman Sanders, is now deputy general counsel at Truist’s legal team.