The Community Connector: Arcy Muñoz
We visited with Arcy Muñoz, Vice President, Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo, to learn more about her professional journey, highlighting Wells Fargo’s incredible commitment to creating a sustainable future for all, and discuss how supporting Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Community Impact work has been an organic fit with Wells Fargo’s local areas of focus.
From Origins to Impact: About Arcy
Muñoz was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, where she began her career working at City Hall. While working for a city council representative, her passion for community engagement ignited, fueling her desire to connect individuals with essential resources. In 2012, leaving her friends and family behind, she moved to Houston, achieving her dream of moving to a larger city with more opportunities, and took a role at Houston First Corporation. There, Muñoz helped to promote Houston as a tourist destination and the city-owned entertainment facilities while managing community relations and sponsorships. Her vast experience in plugging into the communities in which she lives and building strong relationships has helped Muñoz maintain authentic knowledge about the various community needs in our area.
Q: Looking back, how do you think your upbringing shaped the person you are today?
Reflecting on my upbringing, I realize how much it shaped the person I am today. Coming from humble beginnings, as the youngest of eight, I could not wait to join the workforce at an early age. While working full time during the day and going to school at night, due to much encouragement from my mentors, I became the first in my family to graduate from college. Observing my mentors taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I learned that true wealth isn’t measured by material possessions but by the relationships and love we cultivate. Hard work is more than just a phrase; it’s a daily practice. My mentors instilled in me the importance of dedication and the belief that nothing worth having comes easy. This helped me develop a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility, and the drive to overcome challenges.
Also, my parents helped to instill my Chrisitan values. As a result, my faith has always been my guiding principle, grounding me through the ups and downs of life. It has been a source of strength, helping me stay hopeful when things seem difficult. My belief in something greater than myself has allowed me to keep perspective, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and that there’s always a path forward.
Along with faith, the golden rule (treating others the way you want to be treated) is deeply embedded in me. It’s been my moral compass, guiding my interactions with others and reminding me that kindness, empathy, and respect go a long way in building meaningful connections. This principle has shaped not only how I see the world but also how I contribute to it.
Q: You mentioned growing up in El Paso. What was your community like?
Growing up in a border town, the community was warm, friendly, and incredibly tight-knit. Everyone seemed to know each other, and there was always a sense of support and connection among neighbors. People were welcoming, and it felt like everyone was an extended family member. However, back then, there were not a lot of women that looked like me in senior leadership positions. Although the sense of community was strong, I often noticed that representation amongst positions of power was limited, whether in local government, business, or other influential sectors. I didn’t see many women who shared my background or experiences. It wasn’t something always openly discussed, but it was certainly felt. It made me more aware of the work still needed for diverse voices in leadership.
Q: What values were instilled in you based on your upbringing?
Along with the principles and Christian faith instilled by my parents, my mentors taught me some of the most transformative lessons in my life. One of the foundational values they instilled in me is the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals. This practice keeps me grounded and gives me a clear sense of direction. Whether a daily goal or a lifelong aspiration, having a road map helps me stay focused and motivated.
They also introduced me to the power of positive thinking, emphasizing that our thoughts shape our reality. One of the most impactful ideas they shared with me was from Earl Nightingale: ” You become what you think about.” This simple yet profound philosophy has reshaped how I approach challenges and opportunities in life. It reminds me that by focusing on positive, constructive thoughts, I can cultivate a mindset of growth and possibility.
Q: Much of your career seems dedicated to driving strategic investments to make Houston a better place. What fuels your passion for this work, and how has it shaped your approach to corporate citizenship?
For me, there has always been a deep-rooted belief that business has the power to create lasting positive change if done right. When businesses align goals with community needs, they help the community and contribute to the overall well-being of our city and those most vulnerable to our community.
Q: Beyond your role with Wells Fargo, what other philanthropic organizations or causes are you actively involved with? How do they align with your personal values?
Being in Houston, there are a number of nonprofits making an incredible impact. I am currently on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, opening pathways for young women to achieve dreams, connecting them to resources, and breaking down barriers to create a more inclusive and diverse future.
I also serve as an Advisory Board Member to Latin Women’s Initiative, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Latin women and children by providing financial and volunteer support.
I also serve on the Houston General Go Texan Committee for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, as I am really passionate about western heritage and agriculture. The Houston Livestock and Rodeo is incredible, it’s the largest rodeo in the world, put on by 100% volunteers, and proceeds are donated back into the community to support scholarships.
In addition, I am also a part of Leadership Houston’s Class XXXIII and had the honor of Chairing Class XXXVIII. Leadership Houston empowers community leaders to deepen knowledge about Houston and increase civic engagement.
Aligned in Purpose: Wells Fargo
Q: Among Wells Fargo’s various initiatives, which programs or investments are you most passionate about, and why do they stand out?
When I think of my time with Wells Fargo, the one program that stands out the most is the Open For Business Program. Wells Fargo donated roughly $420 million in loan fees the bank received from administering the Paycheck Protection Program back into the community to help small businesses. This program has demonstrated how Wells Fargo’s commitment to the community during times of need stands out from others. Through this initiative and being involved with it, I have met a number of grant recipients and heard their empowering stories about how their small businesses have been impacted by receiving the grant and enabled their business to grow or stay afloat. Hearing their stories has been really inspiring and will stay with me for years to come. It demonstrates that Wells Fargo is truly making a difference in the communities we serve.
Q: What drives Wells Fargo to prioritize corporate social responsibility within its overall business strategy?
Wells Fargo is committed to building an inclusive, sustainable future for all through a focus on opening pathways to economic advancement, championing quality, affordable homes, empowering small businesses to thrive, and driving an equity-focused transition to a low-carbon economy.
Wells Fargo is the bank that puts people and communities first. Wells Fargo walks the walk and takes action. The Wells Fargo Foundation collaborates with national and local nonprofit organizations to support housing access and affordability, financial health, small business and entrepreneurship, and sustainability and climate resilience. Those are really our main philanthropic priorities. Through the Wells Fargo Foundation, we align resources and business expertise to positively impact communities and address complex societal issues that help build a more inclusive, sustainable future for all.
Q: In Houston, what are the primary issue areas of focus for Wells Fargo? Why are these areas critical for the community?
Our local areas of focus mirror the pillars of the Wells Fargo Foundation. We provide grants to nonprofits working to strengthen the resiliency of the community and planet. We focus on supporting nonprofits that strategically align with our funding priorities (financial health, housing affordability, small business growth, and sustainability). We focus on organizations that have a broad reach to meet the needs of underserved communities.
We also look for volunteer opportunities, a huge part of the Wells Fargo philanthropy program. It is so robust because of how our employees impact their local communities individually and collectively. In addition, each year, every Wells Fargo employee receives up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time annually.
Overall, we aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise to collaborate with community organizations and help solve complex societal problems.
Q: How are diversity, equity, and inclusion modeled through Wells Fargo’s philanthropic support?
We are committed to creating a company where we have diverse representation, perspective, equity, and inclusion across the bank. We also aim to respond effectively to the evolving needs of our colleagues, customers, and communities. Our work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion is not restricted to our company and its employees, as Wells Fargo has a long history of supporting the communities we serve and has placed a new emphasis on helping underserved and underrepresented communities.
Championing Strategic Philanthropy: Supporting Greater Houston Community Foundation
Q: Wells Fargo was among the first catalytic funders for the Foundation’s Community Impact work, beginning with a lead contribution to help us launch Understanding Houston in 2019. Tell us more about how Understanding Houston aligns with Wells Fargo’s philanthropic support strategy.
I want to start by saying that we are so thankful for our partnership with Greater Houston Community Foundation and its leadership. Specifically, the Understanding Houston initiative, a partnership between Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and Greater Houston Community Foundation. It’s a central resource featuring independent research, organized in a way that enables Foundations like the Wells Fargo Foundation to really understand the needs of the community at large in an effort to make a meaningful difference.
Q: What comes to mind for you when you think about Greater Houston Community Foundation and the direction in where it is headed with its community impact work through Understanding Houston and Greater Houston Disaster Alliance. How do you feel about the direction we are headed?
Wells Fargo and Greater Houston Community Foundation have an amazing partnership that I feel continues to grow and strengthen. I couldn’t speak more highly of the work of Greater Houston Community Foundation and its efforts to aggregate data to help us understand the needs of the community. This enables the Wells Fargo Foundation to deepen its impact within the Greater Houston market.
Also, the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, recently established by Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston, enables our bank to quickly respond to a crisis during times of need in Houston as the Wells Fargo Foundation is always looking for ways to support our community after a natural disaster. For example, recently in addition to funding the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, Wells Fargo also donated to LiftFund and partnered with them for the Hurricane Beryl zero-interest loan program.
Wells Fargo also partnered with Texas State to launch the ‘Before, During, After Disaster’ preparedness website. It is a free resource providing small businesses access to information to help them maneuver through a crisis.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Muñoz wanted to acknowledge her mentors, especially Jack Winton and others who know who they are and have always been willing to guide and consistently help open new doors. She will always be eternally grateful for their kindness. Muñoz said, “It is always important for us to remember where we come from and who has helped us along the way, and commit time to doing the same and offering help to others.”
More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation:
- How to Give Back to Your Community
- The Importance of Charitable Giving in Financial and Estate Planning
- Aunt E’s Radical Generosity
- Philanthropy Made Easy: 3 Do’s & Don’ts for Donor Advised Funds
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