Wisconsin banker Kaydi Sobottka is servant leader who says to ‘never stop learning’ Kaydi Sobottka, VP human resources officer at First National Bank of River Falls, Wis., is deeply passionate about giving back to the community..“She’s one of those people who defines what servant leadership is all about,” said Jeff Johnson, FNBRF’s president and CEO. Around eight months after graduating from the University of Wisconsin River Falls in 2008, Sobottka left her HR recruiting role at a manufacturing facility to become an HR assistant at FNBRF on a recommendation from her former professors. Seventeen years later, Sobottka now serves as the bank’s VP HR officer. Although she hadn’t envisioned herself working in banking, she has found that she loves the industry.And now she is being recognized as a 2026 selection in BankBeat magazine’s “Rising Stars” program.“Every opportunity I’ve had, I’ve earned,” she said. “It has just happened naturally. I haven’t asked for the promotion. I haven’t asked for added responsibility. It’s more like, ‘hey, I can do this,’ or showing that I can do it and then building that trust in the people around me.”Sobottka attributes part of this to the culture at FNBRF, something that she works hard to maintain. “I’m incredibly proud of our ability, or the fact that in my leadership, we’ve maintained the culture and the mission that the Smith family started here at First National Bank so many years ago,” she said. “I can’t take credit for building that culture because a lot of that was already built, but I’m proud of the fact that we were able to maintain that and build upon that.”.Johnson, who nominated Sobottka for Rising Star recognition, emphasized Sobottka’s maturity, something he noticed even in her first few years at the bank. "I think back to how I was back at that age, and others as well, and she’s just got a maturity about her that is kind of uncommon at that age,” he said.When it comes to her leadership style, Sobottka would describe herself as a working leader. "There’s not any task that I’m not willing to do right alongside of an employee,” she said. “There literally isn’t anything here at the bank that I haven’t done. If I need to help clean up something or do janitorial duties, I will do it. ...That’s my leadership style. More of a ‘walking the walk’ and ‘talking the talk’ at the same time.”That leadership style extends beyond the bank’s walls and into the community. Sobottka serves as chair of FNBRF’s annual Shoe Some Love 5K, an event that raises money to provide new shoes to children in need throughout the bank’s communities.“It has become the largest non-banking pillar of our brand here at the bank,” Sobottka said. “We are known for our 5K and known for the fact that [it] gives shoes to children who are less fortunate so that they can go to school, learn and play with dignity and pride. These are not gently used shoes. These are brand name, brand new shoes.”This year, the event raised more than $15,000. Johnson noted that Sobottka has played a central role in its growth, helping organize sponsors, coordinate volunteers and oversee the distribution of shoes to local children. He sees Sobottka’s commitment to the FNBRF Shoe Some Love 5K as part of a larger pattern. Throughout her career, he said, she has consistently stepped forward to support both employees and the community without being asked.“A phrase I often think about with her is ...‘we before me,” Johnson said. “And I think she really exemplifies that. She puts others first.”In addition to leading the 5K effort, Sobottka has chaired the bank’s wellness committee for years, helping create initiatives focused on physical health, financial wellness and mental wellbeing. According to Johnson, participation in the programs regularly reaches a majority of employees, reflecting Sobottka’s ability to bring people together around a common goal.For Sobottka, supporting others has remained a constant throughout her career. Outside of the bank, she serves as vice president of the United Way St. Croix Valley and Red Cedar Valleys chapter and as marketing director for the St. Croix Valley Employers Association.Sobottka shared that she stays grounded and motivated by focusing on three things. “Work hard, stay patient and be positive,” she said. “That’s kind of been my three guiding principles since college.”To women and those entering the banking industry, Sobottka’s advice is to never stop learning. “I took every opportunity I had, even if it maybe wasn’t the [most fun] opportunity or the most exciting opportunity,” she said. “Shy away from nothing. Every opportunity can give you something to build upon for the future and makes you more well-rounded and versatile and valuable in that sense."Even after 17 years at First National Bank of River Falls, Johnson believes Sobottka’s impact is still growing. “She has and will continue to play a key role as we bring in our next group of leaders here at the bank,” he said.
