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Home / Washington Business - July/August 2007 / Profile: Heidi Stanley - Vice Chair of the Board and Chief Operating Officer, Sterling Savings Bank |
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Profile: Heidi Stanley - Vice Chair of the Board and Chief Operating Officer, Sterling Savings Bank |
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Written On: July/August 2007 |
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Written By: by Daniel Brunell |
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Heidi Stanley embraces life with an enthusiasm as boundless as her vision. As one of the nation’s 25 most powerful women in banking—a designation bestowed in 2006 by U.S. Banker magazine—Stanley is at the forefront of the dynamic, some would say turbulent, global transformation of banking and finance. Yet she remains deeply rooted in her adopted home of Spokane, shaping the region’s evolution and economic vitality.
Her zest—the inborn optimism of a natural politician—comes through both in her public speech and in her private conversation. But it’s most apparent when she’s in front of a crowd. With confidence and grace, she draws the audience to her. One hand drives her points home, while the other grasps the lectern. Her speech combines precision with passion, whether she’s addressing the virtues of life in the Inland Empire or the competitiveness issues challenging business in Washington.
As vice chair and chief operating officer of Spokane-based Sterling Savings Bank since October 2003, Stanley saw the bank emerge as one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country.
Sterling’s chairman and CEO gives Stanley much of the credit for the bank’s growth.
"Through her dedication and leadership, Heidi ensures the short- and long-term success of Sterling, equitable treatment and development of employees, and maintenance of a good corporate community relationship," said Bill Zuppe. "To have great company, you need great people. We have that in Heidi."
Stanley deftly integrates family, civic, community, and business life, drawing the disparate elements together. If there’s a unifying theme, it would be the quest to increase opportunity and fulfillment.
As part of her ongoing commitment to serving Washington’s business community, Stanley served as AWB’s chair of the board in 2002.
"As chair of AWB, I gained great respect for the effectiveness of the organization, its leadership, and its volunteers," she said. "AWB represents statewide business interests like no one else in our state. People listen when AWB speaks."
And, of course, she reminds us that when people speak, AWB listens.
"Serving as AWB chair gave me great exposure to the people and issues of this state," she said. "I also learned that to get things done and move forward you have to compromise and come to the middle."
Involvement in civic and community affairs came naturally to Stanley. "Early in life, your activities set the tone for your involvement and community service later," she said.
Born in Lake Oswego, Ore., Stanley moved frequently until her father retired from Shell Oil Co. and brought the family back to the Northwest. Growing up, Stanley was involved in drill team, student government and Girl Scouts.
In high school she met Ron Stanley and the couple began dating. After high school, she followed him to Washington State University, much to the chagrin of her parents—both University of Washington graduates. Shortly after graduating in 1979, they married.
In 1985, after a few years of working for IBM in Arizona, the Stanleys returned to Spokane so Ron could join his father, AWB past-chair Larry Stanley, in the family business.
Heidi first came to Sterling Savings Bank as a customer. "We had just moved to Spokane and needed a bank and a construction loan for the home we were building," said Stanley. "My father-in-law suggested 'this new, start-up community bank' started by two very capable bankers." She soon joined the team as a part-time employee and never looked back.
Stanley emerged as one of Spokane’s most visible civic leaders. Recently, she helped launch Greater Spokane Incorporated—a new organization comprising the Spokane Area Economic Development Council and Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce—and serves as its chair.
"Greater Spokane Incorporated is ... driven by fierce regional competition for jobs, workers, and investment," she said. "We all benefit from a more vibrant and growing Spokane region—that’s why I’m involved."
Her civic resume also includes service as chair of the Spokane-area YMCA and vice-chair of TVW, the state’s public affairs television network.
Both Stanleys remain active with their alma mater by serving on WSU’s board of governors, an involvement that combines business and pleasure.
"My involvement is driven by many factors," she said. "WSU’s relationship with state economic development as one of two research universities, the fun and excitement of college athletics, the importance of providing access to higher education, and supporting the outstanding staff of both the foundation and university."
Stanley embodies the community and civic ethic at the core of American values.
"I am a strong believer that a community is only as good as what people are willing to put into it," she said. "I have never been one to watch from the sidelines."
Our good fortune is that her definition of community extends statewide—and beyond.
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