The Owner's
Manual
Employee-ownership isn't just another HR benefit for us, it's the engine behind how we grow, innovate, and outpace the competition. When people have real skin in the game, the bigger they think, perform, and dream.
It's that simple.
The Owner’s Manual series peels the curtain back on the people powering Stearns Bank. Let's take a look...shall we?
Sabdi Gonzalez
HR Generalist
Twin Cities, MN
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
I’ve always had a passion for helping others, and I’m proud to bring that into every space I’m in. For me, it’s about bringing my full, authentic self and encouraging others to do the same. At work, that shows up in my commitment to teamwork and my ability to find something positive in any situation. I love motivating others, and you’ll find me cheering up my team when we’re having a tough day. At the end of the day, we’re all humans, and sometimes just a little positivity can make a BIG difference!
Which Stearns values hit closest to home, and how do you live them on and off the clock?
Teamwork and being people- and purpose-driven resonate with me the most. Here at Stearns, I see every day how having an incredible team makes all the difference, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of that contribution.
Not only do I embody these values at work, but also in the way I mentor, coach, and volunteer in my community, especially in spaces that serve underrepresented groups. That said, for me, it’s about creating opportunities, motivating others, and making sure people feel supported. When we succeed together, we grow stronger juntos (together)!
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
Something valuable I’ve learned is that one of the best ways to honor someone is through intentional and empathetic listening. We can discover so much from just listening! This has helped me identify underlying needs and build stronger, more collaborative partnerships.
Additionally, a teammate once advised me to adopt a ‘why not me’ perspective. This mindset has encouraged me to embrace new responsibilities with confidence and a willingness to learn—recognizing that we are capable of growing through both comfortable and uncomfortable situations. After all, uncertainty is often where the most meaningful growth occurs.
Previous Employee Spotlights
Kishma Smith
Loan Assistant
Clayton, NC
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
When I was eight, my family lost everything to a hurricane. It was devastating, but what I saw my parents accomplish in the aftermath changed my life. I watched my parents start over with nothing. I saw them adapt in a challenging situation and make the most of the limited resources we had. They rebuilt not just our home, but our family, stronger than ever. I am incredibly proud to bring the resourcefulness I learned from them into the workplace. I know that no matter how difficult the situation is, you can get through it. When life hands you lemons, don’t just make lemonade, but bake a lemon cake as well.
Which Stearns values hit closest to home, and how do you live them on and off the clock?
The Stearns value that resonates with me the most is teamwork. Whether I'm at work or off the clock, I am always willing to lend a helping hand when needed.
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
One thing I've learned from my teammates is that working effectively isn't about knowing everything — it's about knowing when and where to ask for help. I've seen firsthand how much stronger our work becomes when we collaborate and share what we know. It's a great reminder that success often comes from teamwork, not individual expertise.
Giesselle Garcia
Deposit Process Improvement Analyst
St. Cloud, MN
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
I moved from Nicaragua to the U.S. by myself. I packed up all my life in two suitcases. I knew the journey was not going to be easy, but it tested everything in me. I had dreams and aspirations, but more importantly, I wanted to give my family a better life. I've been in the U.S. for 10 years now, and I have learned a lot: from how to complete all kinds of citizenship forms and file my taxes, to learning the nuances of Minnesota culture. This experience has made me a strong, perseverant, and open-minded person. In a few words, I bring a diverse cultural background, a strong work ethic, and a tenacious spirit.
Which Stearns values hit closest to home, and how do you live them on and off the clock?
I identify most with being “people and purpose-driven.” I have always known that my mission in life is to help others. At Stearns Bank, helping others achieve their greatest ambitions is what we do. I love educating my customers on financial tools that will help them succeed. I particularly enjoy being able to reach our Spanish-speaking customers because they feel understood, included, and heard. I love that Stearns Bank is a safe space for me to be able to do that: to serve underserved communities, such as the Hispanic community.
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
I have learned from my team in St. Cloud that we are never too busy to help others. From the moment I stepped into Stearns Bank, the team welcomed me with open arms. I received so much support from my team members and managers. Even if they were incredibly busy helping customers, they always made sure I had the support I needed to learn the work and be successful in my role. There were days my manager stayed late with me to ensure I was supported. Some other days, my teammates would stop what they were doing to come help me. I have seen this kind of support and kindness from our leadership team as well. This has stuck with me because, in a world where we can choose to be anything, we choose to be kind.
Nanci Carranco
Servicing Specialist
Houston, TX
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
I’m proud to bring my bilingual background and cultural roots from Mexico into the workplace. Speaking Spanish allows me to support and connect with team members across departments by helping translate, and it also gives me the opportunity to bridge communication in a way that makes people feel understood and included. It’s a part of my journey that I am happy to share and contribute to strengthening collaboration and culture here at Stearns.
Which Stearns values hit closest to home, and how do you live them on and off the clock?
The value I connect with most at Stearns Bank is Community & Family Values. Growing up in a traditional Mexican household, I learned that everyone has an important role - no matter your age or how big or small the task everyone has a responsibility, and their part is equally important to the daily family function. This taught me the importance of looking out for others and being part of a team. I carry that with me by making sure teammates and customers feel understood and included every day.
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
One thing I’ve learned from working with teammates and customers is that everyone wants to be heard—especially when finances are tough or business plans hit a snag. I’ve seen how hard it is for customers to open up about financial hardships, and I’ve learned that often the most powerful thing we can offer is listening without judgment.
At Stearns, where we talk about “delighting in making every customer’s life a little easier”, I try to embody this by making space in conversations — while translating for different departments or in a one-on-one customer interaction — for someone to share what they’re really going through. Outside work, I carry that into my personal life too, remembering to pause, listen deeply, and support people even when I don’t have a “fix”—because sometimes the caring and the understanding matter more than any solution.
Heather Braithwaite
VP, Director of Sustainable Energy
Lafayette, CO
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
Having worked in the clean energy field for over two decades, I witnessed the number of women and people of color supporting the industry increase over time. Not only did participation increase, but those participants also found their voices and started to speak up. They started to talk about topics like equity and social justice. I was part of that “they,” and I am proud to say I found my own voice and have empowered many others to find theirs, too.
Which Stearns values hit closest to home, and how do you live them on and off the clock?
I have worked from home for over 20 years, and TEAMWORK is the value that not only resonates with me but is the backbone of my inspiration, creativity, and success. I understand and am radically honest about my strengths and weaknesses, and finding team members to complement me helps bring ideas to reality. This aligns with my personal life too, as my team is my partner, trainer, friends and family. I could not do it without them!
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
A valuable lesson I learned and work on daily is “active listening.” Our lives and days can get very busy, so it's important to remember that every conversation matters, every person matters, and giving people the attention they deserve is respectful and kind. Nothing is more important than the other humans in our lives. Creating a supportive world where people really listen to one another is KEY.
Khai Casivero
Cybersecurity Analyst
Holland, MI
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
I feel most proud to bring my authentic sense of self and ability to connect with others around me. I always do my best to raise others up by being a source of light and positivity. I also understand what it means to make a team, and how others bring different ideas and perspectives that elevate us all!
Which Stearns values hit closest to home, and how do you live them on and off the clock?
The values that resonate with me the most are “Trailblazing Creativity” and “People and Purpose Driven.” From my ability to troubleshoot and be analytical to my perspectives on personal relationships with friends and family, it takes a degree of creativity to fine-tune each interaction to bring out the best in one another. My hope is to be a source for others to see and say to themselves, “I can do it too.”
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
I have learned from others on my team that it truly takes a village to achieve the greatest sense of purpose and create an environment of success. With each of us having unique strengths, it has become crystal clear where our values meet and how that can push us all to achieve anything we put our minds to.
Chelsea Offiaeli
Content Manager
Chicago, IL
What part of your personal journey do you feel proud to bring to Stearns?
I’ve always been deeply passionate about the role media plays in shaping how we see ourselves and each other—particularly how representations of diverse communities influence the lived realities of those they reflect (or overlook). That passion turned into the focus of my undergraduate degree, culminating in an 80-page thesis exploring how mainstream narratives impact Queer people of color.
Across every role I’ve held, I’ve made it a personal mission to create content that tells rich, nuanced stories—ones that reflect a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives. In my current role at Stearns Bank, I’m fortunate to continue that work daily by elevating the voices of customers and communities from all walks of life, and by reinforcing our belief that culture is a strength—one that connects us to each other and to those we serve.
Which Stearns values hits closest to home, and how do you live it on and off the clock?
In my work, I strive to ensure our content speaks to a broad spectrum of entrepreneurs and community leaders—especially those who may not see their stories reflected in traditional narratives. By creating inclusive content that highlights diverse journeys—whether they’re nonprofit organizers, first-time founders, or side-hustlers—I strive to expand both our reach as a bank and the definition of what it means to be an entrepreneur. It’s about more than marketing—it’s about representation, impact, and building a platform that uplifts voices that have historically been overlooked.
Outside of work, I embody that same value by mentoring and creating space for emerging professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. I’m intentional about helping others recognize how their unique experiences and passions can translate into valuable workplace skills. Whether it’s through informal coaching or community events, I’m committed to helping others see their potential and build the confidence needed to thrive in whatever career they pursue.
What's something you've learned from a teammate or customer that's stuck with you?
One thing I’ve learned from a teammate that’s really stuck with me is the importance of asking why before jumping into how. In fast-paced environments, it’s easy to go straight into execution mode—but the Brand team is constantly reminding one another that taking a moment to understand the deeper purpose behind a project can lead to more intentional, meaningful outcomes. That mindset has helped me create work that’s more aligned with our values and more impactful for our audience.
It’s a lesson that’s just as relevant outside of work, too. Whether I’m volunteering, mentoring, or making everyday decisions, pausing to understand the why behind what I’m doing helps me stay grounded in purpose and focused on what truly matters.
