The CEO Forum Group Magazine Business 2023 (1) - Flipbook - Page 40
Dennis Devine
I started my career in professional services, practiced
law for a while and was a consultant with McKinsey.
My first job on the corporate side of business was
as a chief financial officer for a large retail bank.
I had always been a bit on the outside, making
recommendations about the future of a business.
I remember being on a long airplane flight with
the CEO of one of the predecessor companies to
PNC, who encouraged me to think about running a
business, operating a business or owning a profit and
loss statement (P&L).
That conversation caused me to think differently. It is
very different to make a recommendation vs. owning
the outcome. A mentor created the space for me to
do just that. As a former management consultant
and CFO, I suddenly found myself leading a team
of thousands across significant aspects of business
operations. That was a pivotal moment for me to begin
thinking differently about where my career could go,
and that is something I try to pay back every day.
And how about on a personal note, you’ve told me
in the past you actually worked for McDonald’s.
Did you learn anything there? I remember John
Mackey, the founder of Whole Foods, one thing
he told me was, “Everywhere I am, I learned
something.”
I remember being a student and working at
McDonald’s–the managers were tough. It was a time
38 The CEO Forum www.theceoforumgroup.com
to learn and frame a mindset of making the most of
every opportunity. I also remember that first 15-cent
bonus that I got in my compensation, which was a
big deal at the time, and I felt it was a tangible reward
for my hard work. That sense of grit can emanate
through great organizations. A lot of us have learned
from experiences like that.
Let’s talk boards as you are on one of the coolest
boards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Talk
about your experience there and what you’ve
learned from that.
When people ask me about where to give back and
where to become involved in their communities,
I encourage them to find something they are
passionate about.
I love live music. I started playing guitar with my
son while he was growing up. Music is a passion of
mine, and the Rock Hall is a special place where that
passion can connect to something greater. Its mission
is to engage, teach and inspire through the power of
rock and roll. When you think about contemporary
history, rock music has served as a soundtrack to the
powerful changes taking place in our country, with
influential voices bringing that to life and connecting
people. Through its educational component, Rock
Hall has reached more than a million students
over the last several years, helping them feel a more
personal connection to history and the role music