2026 Notable Women in Banking & Finance

These 17 women in banking and finance stand out as leaders in a field that’s still largely male-dominated. They manage millions in assets, streamline recruitment processes, and foster important client connections.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

2026 Notable Women in Banking & Finance

Chloé Briel

Chloé Briel

Senior advanced planning manager, Wealth Enhancement
Chloé Briel leads complex planning initiatives and is a key partner in the Plymouth-based wealth management firm’s thought leadership efforts. Recently, she played a significant role in the rollout of
Colette Dahlin

Colette Dahlin

Vice president, consumer lending and mortgage, Village Bank
Colette Dahlin brings more than 32 years of experience in community banking to her role at Village Bank, based in St. Francis. She specializes in residential mortgage lending, including construction-to-permanent
Samantha Ferrell

Samantha Ferrell

Insurance agent business owner, Samantha Ferrell State Farm
Over the past eight years, Samantha Ferrell has expanded her Arden Hills-based agency’s presence across Minnesota and Wisconsin, now with a team of five other women. In recent years, she
Mary Grove

Mary Grove

Managing director, Bread & Butter Ventures
Following a 14-year career at Google, where she worked on the IPO deal team, led global product business development, and founded Google for Startups, Mary Grove brought her Silicon Valley
Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson

Chief revenue officer, RBC Clearing and Custody
Kelly Johnson recently served as primary architect of a five-year growth plan at RBC, where she has worked for 24 years. In that capacity, she overhauled and streamlined the Minneapolis-based
Meghan Kober

Meghan Kober

Senior vice president, head of fintech partnerships and investments, U.S. Bank
At U.S. Bank, Meghan Kober leads a multimillion-dollar fintech portfolio focused on driving revenue growth, operational efficiency, and long-term strategic differentiation. In the past 18 months at the Minneapolis-based bank,
Michelle Lejcher

Michelle Lejcher

Chief risk officer, MidCountry Bank
At community-focused MidCountry Bank, Michelle Lejcher leads the design and implementation of the bank’s enterprise risk management strategy, ensuring sound risk practices across the Bloomington-based bank. She brings more than
Elda Macias

Elda Macias

Senior vice president and chief marketing officer, MidWestOne Bank
At MidWestOne Bank, Elda Macias is “redefining how regional banks compete and grow in an increasingly digital, customer-driven marketplace,” says business colleague Liz Pangerl, who is founder and creative director
Katie Monger

Katie Monger

Partner, Copeland Buhl
Katie Monger brings broad experience to Copeland Buhl, having served in nearly every functional role within a CPA firm. In 2025, she led the transition of an emerging businesses segment
Katie Morrell

Katie Morrell

Chief credit officer, Bridgewater Bank
Katie Morrell joined St. Louis Park-based Bridgewater in 2020 and has proven key in supporting its expansion from $2.9 billion to $5.4 billion in assets as of September 2025, when
Michelle Muthiani

Michelle Muthiani

Financial advisor, North Star Resource Group
Part of Minneapolis-based North Star Resource Group for nearly two decades, Michelle Muthiani started as an administrative assistant with North Star affiliate Gifford Financial. She became a Gifford financial advisor
Angela O’Neill

Angela O’Neill

Market president, Minnesota, UMB Bank
Angela O’Neill brings more than two decades of banking industry experience to her role as Minnesota market president for UMB Bank, after having worked at Associated Bank for 19 years.
Pilar Oppedisano

Pilar Oppedisano

Managing director and market manager, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
As managing director and market manager for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, a division of New York-based JPMorgan Chase, Pilar Oppedisano oversees the institution’s Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota markets
Eva Rasmussen

Eva Rasmussen

Chief strategy officer, Northeast Bank
Eva Rasmussen leads Northeast Bank’s strategic initiatives, joining the Minneapolis-based bank in 2012 and working to drive growth and innovation. Alissa Eiesland, director of branding and client strategy at Northeast,
Erin Steckler

Erin Steckler

Senior business banker, senior vice president, Old National Bank
With more than three decades of banking experience, Erin Steckler today manages a diverse portfolio at Old National Bank’s office in St. Louis Park, where she has worked for 13
Katie Wahlquist

Katie Wahlquist

President and CEO, Star Bank
Katie Wahlquist leads the family-owned Star Bank, an independent community bank in Eden Prairie, and has focused over the past couple years on attracting and retaining talent. She joined the
Julie Westbrock

Julie Westbrock

Vice president, business development, Trust Point
As Trust Point’s vice president of business development, Julie Westbrock has brought in nearly $500 million in assets under management and close to $3 million in recurring fee revenue to