Meet one of our amazing sponsors, Busey Bank… The task of featuring one incredible woman at Busey is impossible. So, here are seven uniquely amazing women that help make up Busey’s team.
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1. What are you grateful for today?
I am grateful to have a loving family at the center of my life. – Sandy Chapman, Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, First Busey Corporation
2. Tell us about one of your friends and what you love about her.
After recently spending the weekend with my friend Anita, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things that I love about her. I love her incredible (and sometimes wicked!) sense of humor, her appreciation and care for family and friends, her never-ending energy, her gentle way of sharing wisdom and encouragement, and her passion for getting the most out of each and every day. – Barb Harrington, Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer, First Busey Corporation
3. Describe one of the best days of your life.
The timing of this question is perfect. My oldest old son, Will, was married Saturday, August 10, 2013 to his high school sweetheart of 8 ½ years—Kaitlin (Katie) Holcomb. The wedding ceremony and reception were both as perfect as the weather that day, which, of course, is unusual for August. I’ve always known that if I had a daughter, I would name her Katherine (after Katherine Hepburn) and would call her “Katie.” When my second son came along, we named him Kyle Thomas and decided we would call him K.T. Well, God has His own plan, in His own time. I now have a daughter—my Katie Buerkett, and I could not love her more. August 10th will forever be one of the best days of my life. – Jan Buerkett, Vice President & Mortgage Sales Manager, Busey Bank
4. What’s the best lesson you learned from your mother/grandmother?
I was fortunate to have hard working and compassionate grandmothers that I grew up around. I learned a lot from the fact that their worlds involved a lot of sacrifice for their families in a very difficult era of the depression. But, I learned the most from my mom. She taught me to get up and get my work done before there would be any time for play, to care for home and family with all your heart and to have respect for others. She and her mother always said that “everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time.” I took that to mean to be proud but not haughty. My mom’s spirit is always with me. – Donna Greene, Executive Vice President & Senior Managing Director, Busey Wealth Management
5. We’re all unique. What is your special gift?
It is my hope that I inspire the best in others by recognizing and celebrating the gifts they share with me, providing unconditional support, and leading by personal example. – Amy Randolph, Executive Vice President of Growth Strategies, First Busey Corporation
6. What could women be doing to make their community a better place?
Get involved—and get your family actively involved—in the community. It is not only about volunteering, which, of course, is important; but it’s also about being engaged and participating in a number of community events you’re passionate about. Including your children shows them how important it is to continue being involved throughout their lifetime—no matter where they end up living and working. – Nancy Weimer, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking, Busey Bank
7. What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
I don’t think about fear much. I view life as possibility. So, this question made me stop for a moment: what am I afraid of? Missing a cue from someone who needs my help. Not spending enough time kissing my husband. Standing in front of a mirror in swimwear. Never visiting the Louvre.
What is the value of fear? Can it help define what fills you with joy and satisfaction, and protect you from investing your talent in unproductive pursuits? At the same time, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone can be healthy, and make you stronger when you face what you fear.
I know for certain I would have to dig deep to find something I wouldn’t do if it accomplished something important or protected the people I love. But, perhaps we should think bigger: outside of our personal lives, how can we engage what we fear to make the world at large a better place? Take down boundaries and love better, give more, inspire ourselves, embrace new visions, let go of accepted norms, and think and act in ways we never have before.
And while you’re at it, step in front of that mirror in your swimwear. Then blow your husband a kiss. – Susan Miller, EVP & Director of Finance, First Busey Corporation
