Stearns Bank Adds New VP, Director of Sustainable Energy

Heather Braithwaite to oversee organization’s new banking solutions that support and empower the growing alternative energy space

St. Cloud, MN (July 31, 2025)—Today, Stearns Bank announced that Heather Braithwaite has joined as VP, Director of Sustainable Energy. The addition of Braithwaite will jumpstart Stearns Bank’s efforts in providing sustainable energy financing and banking solutions to customers across North America. She brings nearly two decades of experience in the energy and financial services industry and will report to Heather Plumski, President of Stearns Bank.

 “We’re excited to welcome Heather to Stearns Bank and know that her deep, extensive knowledge of the industry will add immediate value to our organization and supercharge the growth of our national footprint in the sustainable energy market,” said Plumski. “Her vast experience will not only allow us to support potential customers who are passionate about renewable energy projects but also provide our existing customers with new products designed to meet any financial goals they may have related to energy-specific plans.”

In her role as VP, Director of Sustainable Energy, Braithwaite will be responsible for managing, scaling and operationalizing Stearns Bank’s energy lending and banking solutions. This will include bridge loans, constructions loans, permanent loans, small business loans, USDA loans, working capital and lines of credit.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to join Stearns Bank and help create sustainable energy solutions that support a variety of project types, across multiple sectors,” said Braithwaite. “Like Stearns Bank, I believe in providing innovative, equitable and easily accessible financial solutions to all communities, small businesses and industries across the board. I’m excited to launch this new capability to help those committed to the growth of sustainable energy solutions in our country.”

As federal, state and local polices impacting energy projects continue to evolve, the demand on our existing legacy energy sources will grow, requiring deep investments in new, sustainable energy alternatives. Stearns Bank, as a mission-driven financial services institution, believes in empowering all businesses and entrepreneurs to reach their full economic potential—including those operating in the sustainable energy space. Moreover, Stearns Bank sees the addition of Braithwaite as a strategic growth driver since, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the U.S. solar industry alone is expected to inject over $120B into the economy, and the Allied Market Research projects the global renewable energy market will grow to $1.98 trillion by 2030. As the industry continues to experience unprecedented levels of expansion, Stearns Bank will provide customers more choices and decision-making capabilities for alternative energy projects.

Prior to Stearns Bank, Braithwaite served as Chief Investment Officer at the Collective Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) where she helped develop innovative financing solutions to support clean energy investments in Colorado. Before that, she served as Vice President of Commercial Lending at the National Energy Improvement Fund, where she helped create a Fintech solution for contractors, utilities, lenders and clean energy borrowers to support the adoption, expansion and scaling of clean energy projects. She began her career as an Associate at Harcourt Brown & Carey Clean Energy & Finance. She is based in Lafayette, CO.

To learn more about the innovative and industry-leading banking services, products and solutions available at Stearns Bank, please visit: www.StearnsBank.com.

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About Stearns Bank N.A.
Stearns Bank National Association is a majority women-owned and governed financial services institution committed to empowering people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities to reach their full financial potential. As a privately held, employee-owned entity, Stearns Bank offers a wide array of national products and services including consumer and small business banking, affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and equipment and small business financing. Headquartered in Minnesota, the well-capitalized institution has branch locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Guided by a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the nation’s highest performing banks and ‘Best Banks to Work For’ by American Banker. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at www.StearnsBank.com.

Media Contact
Armando Diaz
Armando.Diaz@StearnsBank.com
C: 561-729-6091