Allison Lebon

38 Allison Lebon

Sr. Vice President, Mt. McKinley Bank

Hometown/Current City: Fairbanks

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2005; Master of Business Administration, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2011; Will start the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington campus in Fall 2022

Community Work: Currently serving as Vice Chair of the Carlson Community Activity Center Advisory Board; Past co-chair of the United Way of the Tanana Valley’s annual community fundraiser; advisor for the Alaska Trappers Association; volunteer at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank; volunteer at my children’s school!

Family: Children, Hudson (5) and Lainey (3); parents, Bart and Mary; sister and brother-inlaw, Erin and Will; nephews, Liam and Noah

What is your favorite place in Alaska

and why? My favorite place in Alaska is Valdez. The mountains, the water, the fishing boats, the community and most importantly, my sister and her family! During a summer visit, we hiked the Keystone Canyon Pack trail. The trail ended along the Lowe River, which at the time had a river rafting tour operating there. So, we hiked to the end of the trail and river rafted back to the vehicle through the beautiful canyon.

Name the person you respect and why

My father, Bart LeBon. I have looked up to him all my life … literally because he is 6’6” tall, but also figuratively. As a parent, he has demonstrated how to be responsible, kind and respectful, yet always incorporate humor in every moment. As a business professional, he is a selfless mentor who takes a strong interest in working with young professionals. As a leader, he has been a strong and logical voice, always putting the needs of others first. And as a community member, he has been service-orientated for over 40 years and has a deep love for his neighbors and community. I aspire to learn from his example as I pave my own way in the Fairbanks community as a mother and a business professional.

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work? Spending time with my family and friends.

What was your first job? My first “real job” was working for the Riverboat Discovery and El Dorado Gold Mine (now Gold Dredge 8). It started as a summer job while I was in high school and lasted through college. I am thankful for the opportunity that job gave me to learn about management and business while I was working on my degree.

What has been your most rewarding community

service? I was the co-chair of the community-wide United Way fundraiser in 2009. During the fourmonth long campaign, I was able to visit numerous member agency nonprofits to tour their operation and learn more about their service to our community. I was also able to visit many businesses to present to their staff the importance of the work United Way is doing in our community to support our local nonprofits.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?

I was tasked with leading much of the COVID-19 response at the Bank throughout this pandemic. As COVID-19 became “real” and started impacting our daily lives, the Bank acknowledged that our employees and customers would be adversely affected by the virus and that we were in a position to do something about it. Through that awareness, we started an employee morale/ community support campaign that we refer to as Mt. McKinley Bank Cares. Through that program, we purchased lunch for our employees from Bank customers, implemented “theme days” for staff while the lobbies were closed, bought coffee for medical professionals at the hospital, gave out over 200 coffee gift cards to first responders, purchased lunch for staff at local health clinics and more. It was very rewarding to see how those minor acts of kindness could have such a positive impact on people during a very stressful time.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good

work-life balance? Be clear on your priorities and intentional in making time for the top priorities. It is also important to understand your tolerance level. There are times in life when you will need to hold fast and endure the uneven pressures of one priority over the others, but the pendulum will eventually swing and will hopefully rest in the middle. Cherish those “moments in the middle.”

What is your favorite quote?

“Happiness is something that multiplies when it is divided.” - Paulo Coelho