Archive for month: April, 2026
The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce that Sheri Dick, Rachael Gadbois, and Lindsay Monacelli are the 2026 recipients of the Wisconsin Woman of Impact Award. The awards were presented at the 20th annual WBA Women in Banking Conference on April 27 in Wisconsin Dells.
“We are thrilled to honor Sheri, Rachael, and Lindsay with this award to celebrate their extraordinary contributions to their colleagues, banks, and communities,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “Each winner embodies the thoughtful leadership and character of what it means to be a woman of impact.”
Sheri Dick
Sheri Dick, chief operating officer, Forward Bank, Marshfield
Sheri Dick is a forward thinker who always envisions what’s next. She serves as the chair of Forward Bank’s AI Council and spearheaded formal AI governance at the bank. Dick drove measurable adoption of AI through pilot programs, dashboards, and ROI tracking. Beyond her AI initiatives, Dick helped launch the Lean Forward program whose mission is to develop and mentor emerging women leaders. The program is entering its third year and has successfully reached 20 promising employees.
Dick’s influence extends well beyond the walls of her branch. She has appeared as a speaker at the Graduate School of Banking AI Innovation Series as well as WBA conferences. She strengthens the broader banking industry by educating peers on digital processes and enhancing the customer experience.
Dick has served on the UW-Stevens Point School of Business & Economics Advisory Council since 2014, which helps prepare students for real-world careers after graduation. She has been a Marshfield Chamber Ambassador since 2013 and a Rotary Club member since 2009. Dick’s two decades of involvement reflect her selfless commitment to education, community service, and supporting the next generation of leaders.
Rachael Gadbois
Rachael Gadbois, co-president and CEO, The Pineries Bank, Stevens Point
Rachael Gadbois has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her nearly three-decade career at The Pineries Bank. She joined the bank in 1998 as one of the six original employees just one year after the bank opened. Over the years, Gadbois has served in virtually every operational role within the bank, including proof operator, teller, and loan officer. In 2005, the bank faced an unexpected vacancy in a loan officer position, and Gadbois stepped forward. To this day, she serves as one of the bank’s premier loan officers for both commercial and residential loans.
Gadbois has played an instrumental role in advancing the bank’s operational integrity. She organized IT-related projects and served as the primary contact for coordinating regulatory audits, reflecting her deep institutional knowledge. She remains actively engaged in industry advocacy and participates in events including WBA’s Capitol Day and the ICBA Capital Summit.
Gadbois regularly engages in community service. She currently serves as the vice chair of the Stevens Point Area YMCA and is leading a capital development campaign planned for this year. Her extensive history of service across nonprofit boards — including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Rotary Club of Portage County, Women’s Fund of Portage County, Portage County Business Council Foundation, and more — reflects a broader commitment to her community. Within her own organization, Gadbois empowers fellow women bankers toward success. She supports her employees to reach their full potential and consistently promotes a family-oriented workplace culture and flexibility, especially for working mothers.
Lindsay Monacelli
Lindsay Monacelli, AVP-retail loan fulfillment, Peoples State Bank, Wausau
Lindsay Monacelli brings 19 years of experience to her role. Monacelli is known for her astute ability to observe a process once and recognize how to make it better. She has led the implementation of new business rules and improvements within her bank’s loan origination system, integrating about 600 Encompass LOS system enhancements and creating over 60 hours of training videos. She created new procedures, built document interfaces, and learned the core system first so she could train her team later.
Monacelli serves as a valuable mentor to women beyond her own branch. She teaches at the WBA Residential Lending School and serves as a trusted voice on the WBA Women in Banking Advisory Board. She has been honored with the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation’s Excellence in Financial Literacy awards and graduated from the WBA Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT) Leadership Academy.
Monacellli is equally committed to her community. In 2025, she volunteered a total of 354 hours. Her service includes leadership roles with Holden Lutheran Church, where she has served as financial secretary, fellowship committee chair, historical committee chair, and audit director for the financial committee. She has also contributed as a 4-H Cloverbud and Exploring leader, youth baseball coach, and Junior Achievement financial literacy instructor. Additional involvement includes work on a mission trip, membership in the Waushara County Farm Bureau, service as treasurer for the Farm Bureau food stand, and participation in the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association. Her extensive volunteerism reflects a deep commitment to education and serving her community.
The WBA Woman of Impact Award was established in 2025 to celebrate WBA members who have made significant contributions and positive impacts in their organizations, communities, and the banking industry.
Pictured (left to right): Shay Horton, president and CEO of Cumberland Federal Bank and incoming WBA Board of Directors vice chair; Lindsay Monacelli, AVP-retail loan fulfillment, Peoples State Bank, Wausau; Rachael Gadbois, co-president and CEO, The Pineries Bank, Stevens Point; Sheri Dick, chief operating officer, Forward Bank, Marshfield; and Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO.
The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce that seven grants totaling $50,000 have been awarded to support housing, economic development, community investment, and financial, cyber, and housing literacy in Wisconsin.
“Financial literacy and housing assistance give individuals and families in our state the foundation they need to succeed,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “We are proud to provide this grant opportunity that allows banks and non-profit organizations to strengthen their programs. Together, we can empower Wisconsin’s citizens toward homeownership and brighter financial futures.”
The selected projects include:
- AbbyBank, Abbotsford, Wis. — Awarded $5,000
- AbbyBank plans to expand their financial literacy, cybersecurity, and fraud education that targets low- to moderate-income individuals and communities. The program is designed to improve financial capability, promote safe banking practices, and empower individuals to better protect themselves from fraud and cyber threats. AbbyBank will develop a First-Time Homebuyer Guide and a Home Refinance Guide to compliment and expand upon the Small Farm and Small Business Start-Up Guides introduced in 2025.
- Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc, Wis. — Awarded $10,000
- Bank Five Nine will provide home buyer seminars through Housing Resources Inc (HRI) and United Community Center (UCC). The seminars are dedicated to helping low- to moderate-income families buy a home, covering topics such as credit, mortgages, home shopping, and managing finances. HRI and UCC help families select insurance professionals, real estate brokers, and lenders. The program allows families to find a home that fits their budget and provides them with the tools to remain in their home long term.
- CBI Bank & Trust, Beloit, Wis. — Awarded $10,000
- CBI Bank & Trust will use the grant funds to support its Special Purpose Mortgage program by providing financial assistance for down payment and closing costs to qualified borrowers in Wisconsin. The program expands access to homeownership for individuals who may not qualify for conventional financing, particularly those from historically under-served groups. Any remaining funds will be used for financial literacy programs and promotion of the Special Purpose Mortgage program.
- The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa, Wis. — Awarded $10,000
- The Equitable Bank will partner with Better Stewards, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization that serves under-resourced communities, to promote strategic housing stability and financial capability. Grant funds will expand Beyond the Keys, a structured post-purchase financial education and coaching initiative that supports first-time homeowners during the critical first 12–24 months after closing. The program hosts workshops on budgeting, escrow management, property taxes, and insurance. The initiative will scale to serve more people and further strengthen financial stability and reduce mortgage delinquency risk.
- Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Waterloo, Wis. — Awarded $5,000
- Farmers & Merchants State Bank plans to host a series of educational seminars and events throughout 2026 focused on financial literacy, housing education, and long-term economic well-being. The funding will also support the bank’s youth-focused initiatives throughout the year that will educate young people on topics like saving, bank services, and making sound financial decisions.
- Port Washington State Bank — Awarded $5,000
- Port Washington State Bank will partner with St. Vincent de Paul to launch a structured financial education program centered on the Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World workshop, a 16-session course designed to help individuals and families build financial stability. The program will guide participants through identifying barriers, developing financial tools, setting goals, and creating long-term plans for economic independence, while also providing small stipends to encourage participation. The initiative ultimately aims to move beyond short-term assistance and equip participants with the knowledge to achieve lasting financial stability.
- Waumandee State Bank — Awarded $5,000
- Waumandee State Bank will offer fraud prevention and financial literacy classes across the communities it serves. Grant funding will support the development and purchase of educational and supplementary materials to enhance outreach efforts. These resources will provide residents with accessible, practical tools to strengthen financial knowledge, improve housing preparedness, and increase awareness of fraud prevention strategies.
In partnership with Employ Milwaukee, WBA is proud to bring the nationwide BankWork$ program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants — primarily individuals from under-resourced communities — for retail banking careers.
Pictured left to right (back row): Shelby Odom, Laron Hayes, Amanda Snow, Charlene Thompson, Jamara Boyd-Wiley, WBA President & CEO Rose Oswald Poels, and Brettney Spiller (BankWork second instructor)
Pictured left to right (front row): Adriene Wright (BankWork Instructor), Jenise Rodgers, Ally Espinoza, Von Geaux, and Yazmin Rosales
Upon graduation, each class then takes part in a hiring event featuring BankWork$ employer partners.
In March, a class of nine students — including Shelby Odom, Laron Hayes, Amanda Snow, Charlene Thompson, Jamara Boyd-Wiley, Jenise Rodgers, Ally Espinoza, Von Geaux, and Yazmin Rosales — graduated from the program. WBA’s President & CEO Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.
Over the course of the eight-week program, students learned the hard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. BankWork$ was developed in 2019 to open a door for individuals to help them find and succeed in well-paying jobs that can lead to a lasting career in banking.
To learn more about the program, or how your bank can get involved, please click here.
Natalie Mendez
One Community Bank is excited to welcome Natalie Mendez as the Director of Consumer Lending.
“Natalie’s extensive experience in consumer lending makes her a strong addition to One Community Bank,” said Liz Deihs, EVP and Chief Experience Officer. “Her expertise will positively impact both our clients and our colleagues.”
In her new role, Natalie will oversee One Community Bank’s Consumer Lending department and team to support the expansion of consumer lending offerings while maintaining OCB’s competitive position within the financial industry. “I am thrilled to be a part of OCB because we don’t just do business in the community, we actively invest in it, “said Natalie. “That commitment truly resonates with me, and it’s a big part of why I’m so energized about this role.”
Natalie worked in finance for almost fifteen years prior to joining OCB, with seven of those years in Consumer Lending Operations and Management. She recently graduated from Madison College with her associate’s degree in business management.
Outside of work you can find Natalie hiking with her son, riding her motorcycle, and weightlifting. She also serves on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit organization called Embolden WI.
Bank First announces the promotion of several employees who contribute significantly to the organization’s growth. Brenda Haese, Alyssa Pethan, and Abby Krause are recognized for their leadership, expertise, and dedication to supporting employees, customers, and the communities we serve.
Brenda Haese — Vice President of Human Resources
Brenda Haese
Brenda Haese has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources. “Brenda is a strong leader who understands recruitment and talent development,” said Sharol Schroeder, SVP – Human Resources. “She has strengthened our team and thinks strategically about growth by staying current on HR developments and employee benefits, which helps us continue to support and invest in our employees.” Brenda joined Bank First in October 2022, bringing more than 20 years of HR experience, previously serving as Human Resources Officer and Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. As Vice President, Brenda aligns people strategies with organizational goals and supports key initiatives. She leads talent development, succession planning, and recruitment, while focusing on strengthening the HR team and bank culture. Brenda holds a bachelor’s degree from UW – Green Bay and a master’s degree from UW – Whitewater. She is actively involved in the community, serving on the Progress Lakeshore HR Committee and the Valders School Board.
Alyssa Pethan — Mortgage Loan Officer
Alyssa Pethan
Alyssa Pethan has been promoted to Mortgage Loan Officer. “Alyssa goes above and beyond for our customers and builds strong community relationships,” said Kathryn Schmitz, VP – Retail Market Manager. “Her dedication and enthusiasm make her a valued team member.” Alyssa joined Bank First in August 2020 as a Retail Loan Processor, later becoming Assistant Branch Manager, then Retail Banker for the Two Rivers and Mishicot branches. Alyssa educates borrowers about loan products and helps them find solutions that suit their needs. She develops partnerships with clients, realtors, builders, and referrals, and supports community engagement. Alyssa holds an associate’s degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. She serves on the Two Rivers Business Association Board, is 2025 Affiliate Director for the Manitowoc County Board of Realtors, was named 2025 Affiliate of the Year, and participates in the local Home Builders Association and Manitowoc County Chamber of Commerce.
Abby Krause — Finance Officer
Abby Krause
Abby Krause has been promoted to Finance Officer. “Abby delivers consistent results and is always willing to step up and take on more responsibility,” said Greg Berken, SVP – Finance. “She demonstrates a supportive attitude and creates a positive environment for the entire team, while continuing to grow her accounting knowledge with accuracy and initiative.” Abby joined Bank First in 2015 as a teller, then moved to Finance as a Financial Accounting Analyst. She manages daily Finance operations, oversees accounts payable, and prepares internal and external financial reporting, ensuring compliance. Abby holds bachelor’s degrees from UW – Green Bay and Lakeland University. She is active in the community as treasurer of Kati’s Legacy Fund, a Manitowoc-based nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
Joe Peikert
Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank, Hortonville, now serves as chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA). Peikert is serving a 15-month term that began in March 2026 and will continue through May 31, 2027.
Peikert began his career in banking in his hometown after graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville with a degree in business administration with a finance emphasis and a minor in accounting. He began working as an internal auditor at a bank holding company before continuing his work at several financial institutions as well as in public accounting. Peikert completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a Certified Public Accountant. He joined Wolf River Community Bank in 2007 and became president/CEO in 2013, now serving solely as CEO where he emphasizes servant leadership and an organizational culture focused on creating growth opportunities.
“Rose and the leadership team have done an amazing job with the Association,” said Peikert. “I look forward to continuing the strong work of WBA and the banking industry.”
Other officers of the WBA Board include:
Vice Chair Greg Lundberg, president and CEO, Fortifi Bank; and Past Chair Alvaro (Al) Araque, senior vice president – director of consumer, private, and small business banking, Johnson Financial Group.
Alexis Morales
One Community Bank (OCB) is excited to announce the promotion of Alexis Morales to the role of AVP – vendor management officer.
“Alexis has consistently demonstrated exceptional judgement, initiative, and a profound commitment to protecting One Community Bank and our clients,” said Shauna Gnorski, chief financial officer and EVP. “Her legal background, analytical skills, and proactive approach to risk management make her the ideal leader for this role. We’re excited to see her continue to grow and make an impact in this new role.”
Morales joined OCB in April 2021 as a member of the project management team, where she contributed to various bank-wide initiatives. After earning her law degree in 2023, she transitioned into the role of contracts and risk analyst where she began negotiating vendor agreements and drafting client-facing agreements to mitigate risk exposure. During her time at OCB, Morales also developed and implemented a streamlined process to track, manage, and respond to all subpoenas and legal requests, enhancing efficiency and strengthening internal controls.
“I’m most thankful to be part of a team that respects and values each other while prioritizing the minimization of risk exposure to our clients and colleagues,” said Morales. “OCB values work-life balance, which allows me to grow both professionally and personally. I’m truly grateful to be a part of this organization.”
In her new role, as AVP – vendor management officer, Morales will continue her existing duties while also leading OCB’s vendor management function. She will oversee and continuously enhance OCB’s third-party risk management program across the full lifecycle. Her responsibilities will include collecting due diligence documentation, monitoring vendor performance, addressing nonperformance issues, and ensuring that OCB effectively mitigates risk.
Outside of work, Morales enjoys reading, exploring new local coffee shops, and spending time with her family.
