Susan Dunkailo

I moved to Arizona from Virginia in 1993.  After watching the 1996 Olympics and seeing Michele Timms of Australia severely threaten a Team USA lead, I was sold on the Phoenix Mercury when I saw her iconic spiky blonde hair on a billboard advertising the team.  I’ve been a season ticket holder since that first season in 1997.  Buying tickets felt like giving young women a chance that I’d never had as a sporty girl in the 60s and 70s – and that I was an investing in the future of women’s teams sports.  It motivates me to this day.

I started coming out at work in 1992 when I worked at Fannie Mae in Washington DC.  I’d taken comfort in Fannie Mae’s non-discrimination policy, and that the District of Columbia had made firing due to sexual identity illegal.  The culture plus the law gave me freedom.

After I moved to Arizona, the climate of acceptance was unknown to me, and at the time it was still legal in Arizona to be fired for being gay.  So I mostly stayed closeted, and when my personal life crumbled within months of moving here, I had to work as though there was nothing going on in my life.  It was the most stress, the most alone, I’ve ever felt.

I started living authentically again by opening up and sharing only with co-workers with whom I felt comfortable.   Over time, I was 100% out with my employer and I was blessed to work with a core group of mortgage professionals for many years who treated my wife and I no differently from anyone else.

When the mortgage crisis happened in 2008, I had to find a new employer and I was worried.  I didn’t want to hide again.  A former teammate told me Chase was hiring.  I’d had experience with Chase as my customer, and it was always professional and honest.  I was hired in 2010. 

One of the most amazing things about Chase is being able to work as my authentic self from the very first moment I walked in the door.   I felt there was no need to hide because the corporate culture is welcoming and supportive, no matter your background, experience or perspective. The bank is committed to an inclusive workforce, which we believe is critical for generating the best ideas, enjoying a stronger corporate culture and delivering better results for our shareholders and our customers. In fact, we established an Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs in 2021, which is a dedicated, full-time team focused on advancing equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees, customers clients and the communities we serve.

My Aunt once advised me that in business, never miss an opportunity to do someone a favor.  In 2023 I decided to give back again and joined Chase’s Pride Business Resource Group as a General Board Member and Site Lead. 

During my first board meeting, we discussed Pride Month and possible activities.  I suggested that since the Phoenix Mercury were not only the first sports franchise in Arizona to celebrate a Pride Day,  but also had players, coaches, executives, and staff who were LGBTQ+ themselves, maybe attending their Pride game would be a good idea.  There was immediate agreement, and our chairs contacted Chase’s group that arranges employee fun events, to discuss possibilities. 

That’s where it got really special.  Not only did Chase say yes, they said yes in a big way!  Everyone immediately bought into the idea and made it even bigger than we dreamed.  I must admit I burst into tears when I learned Chase would pay for up to 1000 tickets for employees and their families and friends.  654 employees and their loved ones attended the June 29, 2023 Pride game.  To see all those people enjoying women athletes competing at the world’s highest level was the happiest I’ve been at a game outside of a championship series!

At JPMorgan Chase, our purpose is to Make Dreams Possible for everyone, everywhere, every day. Doing so allows us to powerfully tell our authentic true story of who we are and the unique business impact we make.  I think Chase and the Phoenix Mercury share this purpose.  I’m so happy that two things I am passionate about were able to come together and create a night of fun and excitement for so many others.