30 Years
Diana Ally
AVP & Commercial Loan Analyst
After joining Maspeth Federal at the Forest Hills branch as a Teller in 1995, Diana Ally worked her way up through Customer Service and a secretarial role before moving to the Loan Center’s Origination Department in 2003. When they split the department, she landed on the commercial side and was promoted to Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and finally to her current role as Assistant Vice President/Commercial Loan Analyst in Mortgage Lending. Prior to MFS, her background included secretarial work and retail buying. The Bronx native found the bank while looking for work in her newfound home of Woodhaven, Queens after her marriage. Back then, many businesses ran on pen and paper. Diana has watched the bank advance and thrive through technological and cultural changes. “We still talk about those days. We still have those paper records to fall back on, but it’s very different now. All for the better.” She credits her success to her work ethic and family as well as Rita Garofalo and the late Ada Morales, two mentors who gave her advice and pushed her to where she is today. “I’m most proud of my responsibilities and performance, and the kind of work I take on. I challenge myself. I deal with customers, and sometimes it can be tough.” Diana’s day to day involves examining deals, rectifying issues and gathering all the requirements to move them forward, which often includes handling pushy brokers. “I’ve learned a lot.” Despite all she’s accomplished, Diana hopes to continue improving herself, advising young employees to do the same: “Go out of your comfort zone to learn new things, but also—relax.” She unwinds by taking trips, enjoying spa and shopping days with her teenage nieces, and spending time with her husband and 25-year-old son—that is, when she can “book an appointment” on his busy calendar. But she also finds motivation in her colleagues. “I laugh and make jokes, especially when stressed. It can be very stressful doing what we do. I try to make it fun.” It’s clear that laughter is a source of energy for Diana, as she enthusiastically describes the jovial mood in the office and the many memories she has bonding with coworkers over lunch. “With the hours we spend here, I just try be friendly and joke around to make the environment happy for everyone.”
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