Dr. Maria McLendon, DBA, is the dynamic Chief Marketing Officer at First South Financial, where she leads brand strategy, digital innovation, and member engagement with creativity and purpose. With more than two decades of experience in financial marketing and a passion for connecting people with meaningful solutions, Maria drives integrated campaigns that elevate First South Financial’s presence across digital and traditional channels while strengthening the organization’s reputation for trust and community impact.
Maria’s leadership has driven significant gains in member acquisition, product adoption, and primary financial relationships by aligning creative vision with performance metrics. She is especially passionate about designing journeys that meet people where they are—whether they prefer fully digital self-service or high-touch human connection.
A collaborative and purpose-driven leader, Maria champions cross-functional alignment between marketing, technology, and frontline teams to scale impact without losing authenticity. Her perspective blends emotional intelligence with execution discipline, offering a practical roadmap for organizations seeking to win both hearts and balance sheets in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
