West Gate Bank® (westgate.bank) is pleased to announce that Margaret “Margie” Burkholder, chief operations officer at West Gate Bank in Lincoln, is the recipient of the Alice Dittman Trailblazer Award for Women in Banking from the Nebraska Bankers Association. The award was presented at the NBA’s 2025 Women in Banking Conference. Named in honor of Alice Dittman, a trailblazing leader in Nebraska’s banking and business communities, the award recognizes a young female banker who demonstrates exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and community service.
As chief operations officer, Burkholder provides strategic oversight and direction for West Gate Bank’s operations and plays a key role in shaping the bank’s long-term vision. She also helped develop the West Gate Bank Code of Excellence, which defines and guides the organization’s culture and values.
West Gate Bank President and CEO Carl Sjulin nominated Burkholder for the award.
“Her servant leadership is a role model for women at West Gate Bank, where she has been a pathfinder for the members of our executive committee,” Sjulin said. “Margie inspires those around her to think bigger, push harder, and do better.”
Burkholder is active in several veterans’ organizations, including the Department of Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary #3606, and the American Legion Auxiliary Post #355. She has also served on the boards of the Lincoln Children’s Museum, Lincoln-Lancaster County Crime Stoppers, and Fresh Start.
For more information, visit westgate.bank.