How did you get started in the banking industry? I can best be described as an “accidental banker.” After graduating from college, I was unsure what direction I wanted to go with my career. I applied for a job at a local community bank to give me a place to work until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. They hired me as a mortgage loan processor, which seemed crazy to me since I had no experience in lending. I fell in love with the job and the bank, and 23 years later, I’m still here. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Getting the opportunity to live and work in the same community is amazing. The people we help at the bank are the same people who teach my children, who I run into at the grocery store and who I consider my friends. The same goes for our employees. I love working with a group of people who are as invested in our community as I am. What is the most important thing you have learned from your career in banking? Be prepared for the unexpected, and never get too comfortable. I never have any idea what situation is going to arise on a given day when I walk into the bank, and there have been things that came up in my career that I never could have anticipated. Learning to pivot directions quickly and be flexible with plans has been imperative to success. Change is good! Who is one of the most influential figures in your life? I have two! My girls, Nola, 13, and Rilynn, 11, have taught me more about life than anyone else. Watching them deal with adversity, navigate the unknown, understand the demands of my career and everything else that goes along with growing up is truly amazing. I call them my North Star — they have given me direction and understanding in life that has provided me with such a different perspective, both personally and professionally. Niki Stotler President | CEO High Country Bank GOING BEYOND THE DESK TO HEAR THE STORIES OF COLORADO BANKERS How did you get started in the banking industry? I moved from Mexico to the United States 12 years ago with a background in Engineering and Technology. I settled in a small town in Colorado’s Western Slope, where job opportunities in my field were limited. But I needed a job, and my neighbors who worked at Alpine Bank encouraged me to apply for an Electronic Banking Support Specialist position. Alpine Bank ended up being a great fit for me! I found opportunities along the way that allowed me to grow and fulfill my aspirations in the banking industry. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? As Director of Staff Development, helping our most valuable asset (our employees) reach their full potential. Encouraging them to see beyond the glass ceiling and giving them tools to accomplish what they thought they wouldn’t be capable of doing. What are you most proud of in your professional life so far? Being able to adapt to a new culture in a foreign country. Making a dream come true full of opportunities, challenges and rewards. None of this came to fruition until I learned how to believe in myself. I had to learn how to trust the process and find joy through the journey. I had several key people cheering me on along the way, for which I am immensely grateful. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a cashier at a clothing store. The idea of using a cash register, handling money and selling goods to customers seemed fascinating to me. I remember arranging my bedroom as a fully functional boutique, using clothes from my wardrobe and selling them to my imaginary customers. What do you geek out about? Inspirational quotes. I am all about self-motivation and development. I love learning from the past, making the best of the present and creating an extraordinary future. Some people find inspirational quotes annoying or overrated. But I believe that, when they speak truth to you, they can do wonders, and as a result, we begin to behave differently. “As a man thinks, so is he.” Susana Salamun SVP – Director of Staff Development Alpine Bank 15 Colorado Banker
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