GOING BEYOND THE DESK TO HEAR THE STORIES OF COLORADO BANKERS Kari Coover SVP, Colorado Regional President Sunwest Bank What makes Sunwest Bank unique? Sunwest Bank combines the capabilities of a larger financial institution with the entrepreneurial spirit and relationship-driven approach of a community bank. We empower our bankers to truly know their clients and find creative solutions. What I love most is our culture — we value hard work, collaboration, accountability and doing what’s right for our clients and communities. Sunwest Bank was built for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs; it doesn’t get any better than that! What do you like to do to give back to the community, personally or as a bank representative? Giving back has always been important to me, both personally and professionally. I’m fortunate to serve on the boards of the AdventHealth Foundation and PGA REACH, while also staying actively involved with organizations throughout Colorado. I especially enjoy opportunities to connect people, support organizations doing meaningful work, and leverage my banking relationships to strengthen the communities we serve. What are you most proud of in your professional life so far? I’m most proud of the journey. I started in banking as a part-time teller and have been incredibly fortunate to learn from amazing mentors — some who are still in the industry and others who have since retired — nearly every step of the way. Their investment in me helped shape the banker and leader I am today. Now I’m able to mentor, develop and create opportunities for the next generation of Colorado bankers, which is incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to pass on what others so generously gave to me. What do you listen to on your morning commute? The soundtrack to my commute depends on the day. Sometimes it’s music to get me energized, sometimes a podcast and sometimes absolutely nothing! A quiet drive and a cup of coffee can be the perfect way to think through the day ahead. What do you geek out about? People, business and bringing ideas to life. I can easily geek out over a great business concept, a challenging deal, or connecting the right people and watching something great come together. Elizabeth Kretz SVP, Retail Market Sales Manager Vectra Bank How did you get started in the banking industry? I started my banking career in 2000 as a teller with UMB Bank and quickly discovered that I enjoyed helping people achieve their financial goals. What began as an entry-level position turned into a passion for leadership, relationship building and helping both clients and employees grow. Over the last 25+ years, I’ve advanced through roles including lead teller, assistant branch manager, branch manager, credit product liaison and now retail market sales manager. Each role has given me opportunities to learn new aspects of banking while developing strong teams and lasting client relationships. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is helping people succeed. That includes helping clients find financial solutions that improve their lives and helping employees develop their careers. As a leader overseeing multiple branches, I enjoy coaching team members, watching them build confidence and seeing them achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Celebrating their successes is just as meaningful to me as achieving business results. What are you most proud of in your professional life so far? I am most proud of the long-term impact I’ve made through leadership and performance. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition such as Vectra ProClub awards, Circle of Excellence awards, MVP, Partner of the Year and Branch of the Year honors. While those achievements are meaningful, what I’m most proud of is building strong teams, developing future leaders and creating lasting relationships with clients and communities across Colorado. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know. Something many people don’t know about me is that I earned an associate degree in massage therapy and applied science while building my banking career. Although banking was already my focus, I pursued the degree because I enjoy learning and understanding how to help people. The experience reinforced the importance of listening, building trust and understanding individual needs — skills that have been invaluable throughout my career in banking and leadership. 13 Colorado Banker
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