"I just knew I had to keep going."

At 25, Brandon Brown was sleeping in his car in Dallas. During the day, he worked at a homeless shelter, helping others get back on their feet. At night, he parked in quiet corners and hoped no one would notice.

"I used to ask myself, is this a joke?" he said. "I was helping people who were going through the same thing I was. They didn't know I was homeless, too."

That season wasn't the end of his story. It was the beginning.

Brandon is now a technical analyst at BOK Financial^®. His path into tech didn't follow a straight line. It wound through grief, job loss, instability and reinvention; however, the one thing that never changed was his willingness to keep moving forward.

"Through trials and tribulations, Brandon has maintained his eagerness to learn and willingness to help others," said Dana Noteware, senior manager of bank operations at BOK Financial. "He inspires pride in those of us who have the privilege of knowing him—we all can learn a lot from Brandon."

A journey with no roadmap

Brandon grew up in East Texas and returned home at age 21 after his father passed away. He had just completed basic training with the Army Reserve and planned to continue his education, but the loss derailed him.

"I didn't know how to process grief, and I didn't go to college like I planned," he said. "Back home, there just weren't many options. If you wanted a decent job, you worked in corrections or the oil field. So that's what I did."

Brandon worked at a prison for two years. Then he took security jobs in Houston and briefly worked in law enforcement in Louisiana. Struggling to earn enough for housing, he stayed with relatives until that was no longer an option. With nowhere else to go, he moved to Dallas—eventually living in his car, uncertain of what the future held.

"I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I couldn't stay stuck."

A fourth grader with a gift

While working at the homeless shelter, a friend's mother suggested Brandon apply for a role as a special education paraprofessional. He was hired on the spot. That job became a turning point, thanks to one fourth-grade student.

"This young boy was making websites for him and his friends, teaching himself how to code," Brandon recalled. "This kid didn't have his parents in his life. He lived with his grandmother. He had learning disabilities—and he was figuring out the tech on his own."

Watching that student reminded Brandon of his own potential. If a 10-year-old could chase something difficult with curiosity and joy, so could he.

Brandon began a passionate pursuit to learn the basics of cloud computing and automation. He enrolled in Holberton School Tulsa (now Atlas), working diligently to earn certifications in computer science and DevOps engineering. Three months before graduation, he attended a career fair where he met representatives from BOK Financial.

Investing in people's success

That conversation opened a door.

At BOK Financial, leaders understand that being competitive in tech means thinking beyond traditional career paths. The company actively welcomes candidates with nontraditional backgrounds, investing in people who bring drive, adaptability and potential, even if they don't hold a college degree or have a linear résumé.

"Brandon is truly special," said Rochelle Quincy, vice president of digital experience at BOK Financial. "He showed grit and determination in reshaping his future, and that resilience made him a strong fit here. At BOK Financial, we're committed to building a workforce that reflects both skill and character. In technology especially, adaptability and certifications matter just as much as degrees, and Brandon's journey is a powerful example of that."

Brandon was hired by the company in 2023. In his current role, he creates automations for the company's wealth operations. He helps streamline internal systems, improve workflows and eliminate unnecessary steps, making complex processes easier for the teams that rely on them.

When Brandon got the job, his Holberton School classmate Courtney Brown wasn't surprised. "Brandon's story is powerful because it is truly a testament of self-motivation," she said. "He wanted better and did everything in his power to give himself a better life."

For others looking to make similar career pivots, Quincy said Brandon's story proves what's possible.

"Having a growth mindset is so important, so is your network," she said. "Just like Brandon, you have to put yourself out there, ask for help, tell people what you want—and go for it."

Finding his place

Since joining BOK Financial, Brandon said his life has changed in ways that feel both practical and profound.

"I used to stress about the basics—gas, rent, groceries. Now I can breathe. I've traveled for the first time. I've been to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, places I never imagined going."

More than that, he feels like he belongs.

"I've had people here believe in me, invest in me. That's what stands out the most—the culture, the support, the way people look out for each other. It feels organic. It feels real."