Meet Cecilia Striler, Marketing Specialist/Community Relations Coordinator at Western National Bank (mywnb.com).

Tell us a little about your business. – Western National Bank is a family-owned and operated community bank. Since opening its first branch in Summerfield, KS in 2009, we have expanded across Nebraska and Kansas, now featuring 11 full-service branches, with the latest one opening in Lincoln in April 2023. We offer a wide range of banking services—from commercial and agricultural loans to CDs, money markets, savings accounts and fee-free checking accounts. At Western National Bank we emphasize relationship-based banking and diverse financial solutions.

How did you get started in the business? – I joined the Western National Bank team a little over two years ago, after nearly eight years in the marketing department at K-State Athletics. As the bank expanded throughout southeast Nebraska and Kansas, marketing and community relations became crucial to our strategic plan. Transitioning from athletics to banking was quite a change, but the skills I developed working with fans and engaging with small-town Kansas communities were invaluable. These experiences helped me connect with our 11 communities and understand the banking products needed to help them achieve their financial goals.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Prior to joining Western National Bank, we did not have anyone on staff that solely oversaw marketing. I am proud that myself and my counterpart, Todd Calfee, have been able to build the WNB marketing department from the ground up. We have also had the opportunity to implement our school mascot debit card program. This is a program where we partner with our local school districts and give customers the opportunity to have a branded debit card with their preferred school mascot, and each time the customer uses their debit card, WNB donates money back to the school. This has been a great way for us to get involved in our communities and an easy way for us to raise money for the local school districts.

Tell us a little about your family. – My husband Mitch and I have been married for almost five years. I grew up in Lincoln and after high school I attended Kansas State University where we met. We moved back to Lincoln about two years ago and have loved making the capital city our home along with our cocker spaniel, Maizy.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I come from a big sports family. Much of my free time on days off is spent traveling to Manhattan, KS, to cheer on the Cats at K-State sporting events or watching the Cats, Chiefs or Royals on TV. On the rare weekends that don’t revolve around sports, we enjoy walking our dog around the neighborhood or spending time golfing at Hillcrest.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – I would love to be able to teleport. I love to go on vacations with my family and I spend a lot of time in my car while traveling around to our 11 branches. So being able to teleport would save a lot of time and make travel days much more enjoyable.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Since joining the Western National bank staff and moving back to the capital city, I have started to get involved and volunteer with Junior Achievement. I love being able to get into classrooms and connect with the kids and teach them about banking and the importance of saving for their futures.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 413-2095 | cecilia@mywnb.com | mywnb.com