As women in banking, it is important that we lift each other up and celebrate each other's accomplishments. The entire purpose of the Girl Banker blog is to do just that! The Girl Banker of the Week series serves as a way to highlight Girl Bankers everywhere by telling their stories and motivating and encouraging other women in banking. It also is a great way for women in banking to connect! Read below about this week's Girl Banker of the Week! Sheila Noll | EVP, COO |Midwest Independent Bank It's no secret that I am a huge fan and alum of the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado and I love any opportunity to shed light on products of their program. However, this week's Girl Banker of the Week isn't just any "alum" and her resume is proof of that! Sheila Noll is an institution of operational banking knowledge and her list of organizations that she shares it with is nothing short of impressive. Here is her Girl Banker Story! Girl Banker Story Sheila got her start in banking straight out of college in 1995 as a cash management specialist for Midwest Independent Bank in Jefferson City, MO. In August of 1997, she transitioned to the loan department as a credit analyst and then returned to the operations department as the operations manager in June 1998. She has worked in various managerial positions within bank operations since that time and now serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. As a member of the Executive Management Committee of MIB, she participates in organizational leadership, direction and guidance related to community bank servicing across the Midwest. MIB is a “bankers’ bank”, based out of Jefferson City, MO, which provides a wide array of correspondent banking services to close to 525 financial institutions throughout the Midwest.

She was given her start in banking by one of the country's largest community bank advocates, Camden Fine, who was the founding president of Midwest Independent Bank. Camden went on to lead the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) as President/CEO in 2003. "He is still a strong mentor for me today and has a great respect for women in banking." A testament to that is the recent appointment of Rebeca Romero Rainy as President/CEO-elect of ICBA just this past month. Sheila has shared her wealth of knowledge in bank operations through current and past participation in a number of banking-related committees outside of MIB, such as: Chair of the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado Alumni Board, Faster Payments Task Force member with the Federal Reserve Bank, ICBA Operations & Payments Committee member, the Bankers’ Bank Operations Council, the ABA Correspondent Bank Work Group, The Clearing House RTP Advisory Committee and various government relations activities on behalf of community banking. She currently spends much of her time participating in local and national discussions regarding existing and emerging payment processing solutions in the United States and globally. Noll earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri), in Warrensburg, Missouri. She subsequently graduated, with honors, from both the Missouri Bankers Association School of Bank Management and the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado.

Outside of the bank, Sheila treasurer's her role as mom to Katie (16) and Allison (10) and wife of 22 years to Charlie. She is a member of the First Christian Church of Iberia, MO and enjoys spending time with friends and family.  "I feel so very blessed and as such, I love spreading joy whenever possible; endeavoring to inspire others to live their lives with grateful hearts." MOTIVATION | "A problem solver by nature, I am always looking for ways to solve issues in order to improve the life experiences of others.  I am particularly motivated to promote the mission of community banking in the United States.  Indeed, I am passionate about it.  I know full well how important community banks are to the well-being of the communities they serve.  Community bankers do not just work in the communities where their bank can be found; they live there, worship there and raise their families there.  Just look at any small town in the Midwest and you will find community bankers serving the community with their time and talents.  From coaching sports, participating in local government, promoting economic development, teaching financial literacy and a host of other volunteer activities.  They do not do this because they have to, they do it because they care and truly want what is best for their communities.  I am inspired by the stories I hear from the bankers I serve across the Midwest.  I am simply in awe of the spirit of community banking." Join me as we celebrate this week's Girl Banker of the Week, Sheila Noll! Know someone who should be the next Girl Banker of the Week? Send nominations to thegirlbanker@gmail.com!