“I lead with integrity and faith,” says Heather Plumski. “That means being honest, thorough, and accountable.”
As President of Stearns Bank, Plumski brings a rare blend of head and heart. She shares how her leadership is driven by values, grounded in purpose, and distinguished by forward thinking with a readiness to own both the good and the bad.
From Part-Time Teller to President
Plumski’s journey started in forensic science before pivoting to accounting, completing her degree in two years. While classmates chased big-city roles, she chose central Minnesota and a part-time teller job that turned into a career.
“I didn’t even know what a credit analyst was,” she recalls. “But it let me work with numbers and small businesses both objectively and subjectively to understand their needs…which I found to be incredibly rewarding.”
Since joining Stearns in 2005, Plumski has led through every phase from underwriting through the Great Recession to helping build the SBA and equipment finance programs. As CFO, she drove strategy. Now, as President, she leads a women-owned, employee-owned institution committed to helping people reach their full financial potential.
“We walk the walk. As employee-owners, we understand the challenges our customers face, and we build solutions that serve them.”
Authentic, Inclusive Leadership
Plumski’s leadership style is rooted in authenticity. “You can’t fake it,” she says. “When you’re aligned with who you are, your decisions get clearer, your leadership gets stronger.”
Her collaborative approach encourages open thinking. “I used to wait until every idea was perfect. Now, I bring it to the table early. It invites feedback and makes the work better.”
She credits her growth to staying curious and stretching beyond her comfort zone. One major stretch? Leading technology. “It was like learning a new language. But I learned I didn’t need to know everything I needed to trust the experts around me.”
Just Keep Going
Plumski pushes back on perfectionism and encourages boldness. “Women often hesitate if they don’t check every box. My advice? Don’t count yourself out – say yes before you say no.”
Her mantra: “Don’t quit on a bad day.” That resilience, she says, has made all the difference.
Coaching, Clarity, and Perspective
Executive coaching has been a game changer for Plumski. “It pulls me out of the weeds. I walk away with clearer thinking, stronger communication, and better perspective.”
Even when she feels too busy to take the call, she never skips it. “I always leave better than I came.”
Empowering Employees, Growing Communities
Looking forward, Plumski is focused on deepening Stearns Bank’s impact from growing employee ownership to expanding inclusive financial solutions nationwide.
“Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan isn’t just a model. It’s a movement,” she says. “When we help our customers succeed, our employee-owners build generational wealth.”
That sense of shared prosperity also drives Stearns’ focus on underserved markets. “We listen first. Then we build whether it’s through our Salaam Banking Division or nonprofit solutions. And by the time the rest of the industry catches up, we’re already on to what’s next.”
Family and the Mountains
When she’s not leading a national bank, Plumski is hiking, running, canoeing and simply soaking in family life with her four kids, husband and extended friends and family.
“There’s something about the mountains,” she says. “They remind me how small we are, and how big our purpose can be.”
By Jessica Robaire