2016 Outstanding Women in Banking: Tirzah Wedewer

Iowa banker fuses civic dedication with work ethic.On top of her commitments to Manchester, Iowa-based F&M Bank, Tirzah Wedewer works to enrich the city and community..Wedewer, a senior vice president at the $533 million bank, is a 2016 selection for Outstanding Women in Banking honors. The recognition, sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen, is presented by NorthWestern Financial Review magazine..Wedewer's father, Michael Dunn, is chairman of the bank. That family connection gave her the opportunity to work unofficially in the bank while growing up. Wedewer, a third generation F&M banker, initially spent five years at American Trust in Dubuque, Iowa, immediately after graduating from college in 1994..Returning to F&M Bank in 1999, she learned the ropes in a variety of roles, including maintaining records for the holding company, heading the marketing department for several years, and working on compliance issues in the lending department.."She does a yeoman's job for the bank," said President Tim German. "She's the face of the bank in the Manchester market. She's also someone you can ask a question and she'll have an answer for you within minutes.".A key piece of being the face of the bank is Wedewer's community involvement, including as chair of Manchester Enterprises, an economic development organization. Wedewer has overseen and coordinated a number of projects in the Manchester area, including a partnership between the city and the local community college to bring more skills training and post-high school education to the area.."Tirzah was instrumental in orchestrating that partnership and bringing that to the city," said Deb Worm, a member of the bank's employee/client relations team. Worm nominated Wedewer for Outstanding Women in Banking recognition. "It's about bringing the bank up and promoting the bank. But it's bigger than that—it's about helping the community to thrive. If the community thrives, the bank thrives; not everybody gets that but Tirzah really does.".Leo Monaghan, a local financial advisor, has served on the board of Manchester Enterprises for nearly 20 years, including as chairman from 2010 to 2013. Wedewer was an obvious candidate to succeed him as chair, he said.."Tirzah and I were on the board together for six or seven years," Monaghan said. "We have an excellent board, but of all the people to succeed me as chairman, it couldn't be anybody but Tirzah.".Besides Manchester Enterprises, she also sat on a city committee which oversaw necessary upgrades and certification for the Manchester airport, which increased its appeal to commercial customers. She's also chaired fundraising committees for expansions on the local hospital and for a whitewater rafting park..One project that Wedewer runs is a fund called F&M Cares, which is used to help community members who are in need. Recent recipients include the victims of flooding in the Manchester area this summer and fall.."F&M Cares is a great example of helping families in need quietly without fanfare, which is what Tirzah does," Monaghan said. "That money comes from F&M employees, and Tirzah is the one who put it together.".That extra effort and attention exemplified in F&M Cares is just business as usually to Wedewer, part of her overall dedication to the bank and its customers and community.."The bank's mission is to exceed clients' expectations, and Tirzah really instills this in employees," said Deann McDonald, executive vice president at Security Bank.."She's all about giving credit to the team members and letting employees relish in their own success," Worm said. "I think that's part of her great leadership. She doesn't need to stay in the spotlight and take it over.".Building a team with a variety of talents and strengths is crucial, Wedewer said, but personal commitment is equally important. "We have a phenomenal team at F&M Bank; it's all about people," she said. "It's building those relationships and ensuring that it's a success both in coaching team members and helping clients financially.".Wedewer prioritizes mentoring younger bank employees – including one compliance officer she trained personally – and she particularly advocates for female employees. Recently, she has become involved with Iowa Women Lead Change, which aims to increase female leadership across the state.."She's one of our largest advocates, and we're so happy to have her," said Tiffany O'Donnell, IWLC chief operating officer. "She doesn't just support us with her time and talent, but also allows her team to work for us, which is incredibly important because we are volunteer run.".Worm is one of those employees, serving as IWLC's volunteer coordinator. "It's important to foster women in the bank, and Tirzah really works to mentor young women in that way," she said. "Working with IWLC is a natural extension of that.".Other 2016 Outstanding Women in Banking honorees include:Karen Gregerson, The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, Ind.Susan Koranda, Security Bank, Laurel, Neb.Nichol Beckstrand, Sunrise Banks, St. Paul, Minn.Jan Odin, Unison Bank, Jamestown, N.D.Leann Stessman, Park State Bank, Minneapolis