VICTORIA DENNING | 39

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER/SVP

Denali State Bank

Hometown/Current City: Fairbanks

Education: Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages and political science, UAF, 2006

Community Work: Currently serving on the UAF Board of Advisors; Past volunteer/coach for the Fairbanks Youth Soccer Association; Parent volunteer for ICS elementary school. In my role at the bank, I participate in numerous events and activities that support the community such as the American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska, Blood Bank of Alaska, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska and the United Way, just to name a few. Family: I'm married to Shaynon Denning and we have a 9-year-old daughter, Sienna. Additionally, my parents, Bill and Cheryl Kilgore, and brother, Jeffrey Kilgore, all reside in Fairbanks and we're all proud UAF alumni!

What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: My family enjoys exploring Alaska in our RV and boat. Last year, we visited the Homer Spit and it was truly magical! I love the ocean and the mountain views, along with the local cuisine, where I usually order the "fresh catch of the day."

Name the person you respect and why: Without a doubt, I have the utmost respect for the entire team at Denali State Bank. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our team showed up every day with a smile and an unwavering commitment to serving our customers and community. While many businesses struggled to find or retain employees, our staff grew closer and stronger together. Our team is truly amazing!

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: I enjoy traveling, playing sports and exploring Alaska in our RV and boat.

What was your first job?: My first job was at a nonprofit community health center as a records clerk and receptionist. This job was critical for both my personal and professional development, as it taught me about customer service, professionalism and the importance of caring about people no matter who they are.

What has been your most rewarding community service?: My role at the bank affords me a lot of opportunity to participate in events and activities within our community. As such, it would be difficult to choose just one that's the "most rewarding." Honestly, I believe that it's rewarding every time that I'm involved in a community service activity because it supports the people, businesses and organizations that are essential in some way to the well-being and prosperity of our community.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?: I have worked at Denali State Bank since 2012, and I was originally hired as the HR Manager. Currently, I oversee HR, marketing and other administrative functions of the bank. I could not have achieved this without the support, guidance and leadership of our President and CEO, Steve Lundgren, along with my fellow colleagues.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?: This reminds me of the saying, "Work to live, don't live to work." Managing the demands of one's career and the demands of one's personal life can be challenging, however, I have found that finding a job that you love is the ultimate solution to achieving work-life balance.