Jim Kankula is Vice President, Senior Leadership and Philanthropy Facilitator at Truist Leadership Institute. Kankula facilitates leadership development programming from student and emerging leaders to executives. He has held this position since August 2023 and is a member of Truist Leadership Institute’s Leadership and Philanthropy Programs team.

Previously, Kankula held multiple roles as a leadership development facilitator directly contributing to the Truist teammate experience beginning in 2010. Kankula also served as a facilitator and learning strategist for Wachovia Bank from 1998 until 2008. During this time, he partnered with leaders to understand performance objectives, establish tailored development solutions, and deliver programming and senior leadership coaching. Prior, Kankula oversaw the professional development of employees of 160 bank branches and led the management training program in which he began his career. Kankula also served in the U.S. Army for five years, including three permanent duty assignments and one year supporting the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt.

Today, Kankula leverages decades of experience in learning and development with a focus on inclusion and leadership authenticity to support participants in building a deeper awareness of their motivations and leadership capacity.

Kankula serves as a subject matter expert and keynote speaker for a variety of events. He is an active volunteer at the Forsyth County Humane Society and patron of the Children's Home Society of North Carolina.