One Year In: Gratitude, Leadership Lessons and the Road Ahead

As I reflect on my first year at Associated Bank, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead, learn, and grow. Joining a new organization often comes with its challenges, but what made my transition both smooth and rewarding was Associated Bank's “Relentless Focus On People.” From day one, I’ve experienced a genuine warmth and openness that set the tone for an incredible journey. The exceptional onboarding, guidance from colleagues, and culture of collaboration have truly made this experience remarkable.

Starting any new leadership position involves moving from a place of knowing exactly how things get done to figuring out how they are done in a new environment. This past year has been a journey of navigating that learning curve, listening intently and building relationships to gain a deeper understanding of what makes our organization thrive.

One of the Associated principles I’ve leaned on heavily this year is “Listen then Act.” My approach in the first year was to learn the needs of our colleagues, customers, and communities. This started with reevaluating past decisions to see if they still align today or need adapting. This mindset allows for thoughtful progress—honoring the foundation that was built while steering toward a vision for the future.

A quick look back on my first year, we strived to bring leadership closer to the field. We reorganized to foster stronger connections between leaders, colleagues, and customers. This shift wasn’t just structural; it was cultural. It emphasized listening to those closest to the customer experience and acting on their insights to remove barriers and improve outcomes. One of my core beliefs is that the people you lead already have many of the answers. It’s on us, as leaders, to listen and empower them to succeed.

Looking ahead to year two, my focus is on execution. Associated has done an exceptional job building an industry-leading suite of products and services as we execute the next phase of our strategic plan. Now, it’s about delivering these solutions to customers in ways that resonate with the ever-evolving face of banking—ensuring they experience the full value we can provide. Whether it’s through enhancing touchpoints, strengthening relationships, or innovating how we engage, the goal is to make our offerings meaningful and impactful.

As I step into this new chapter, I’m grateful for the lessons learned, the colleagues who inspire me, and the opportunities to make a difference. Here’s to a year of building on a strong foundation, driving results and staying true to the principles that make leadership so rewarding.

I think these are great reminders for us all, whether it’s starting a new role or just reflecting on the year ahead!

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What has your first year in a leadership role taught you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.