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Meet our team
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Jennifer S. Upshaw

Chief Enablement Officer

Upshaw began her banking career as a Management Associate with Synovus in June 2003. After several years in branch banking leadership roles and leading key strategic initiatives, such as consumer lending centralization, execution of retail strategy, and consolidation of 30 separate bank charters into a unified branding conversion, she was named group executive for marketing in 2017. Upshaw then was named Chief Retail Banking Officer in 2019, managing consumer and small business client segments, branch network and product development, before her appointment to Chief of Staff in May 2021. Serving a vital role as trusted advisor to the Chairman, CEO and President and the broader executive team, Upshaw leads critical strategic and operational initiatives and collaborates across the organization, managing relationships and optimizing partnerships to champion the company’s top strategic priorities. She was named Chief Enablement Officer in March 2024. This expanded role brings the marketing and analytics, corporate communications, team enhancements and community investment functions under her leadership.

Education

  •  Bachelor of Arts, Finance, University of Georgia

Affiliations

  • Board of Water Commissioners, Columbus, GA
  • Muscogee County Library Foundation Board
  • Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc., Board
  • Piedmont Columbus Regional Board
  • Leadership Georgia Class of 2020-2021
  • National Infantry Museum Board

Awards

  • Recipient, Synovus Game Changer Award, 2018
  • Honoree, American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking: NEXT, 2019

Summary of Responsibilities
As Chief Enablement Officer, Upshaw executes on her chief of staff duties for Chairman, CEO and President Kevin Blair and leads the marketing and analytics, corporate communications, team enhancements and community investment functions. Under her leadership, this center of excellence enhances specialization, knowledge sharing and overall consistency for the company in the areas of communications, marketing, and social responsibility.