Welcome to episode eighteen of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Kim Snyder, Founder and CEO of KlariVis.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders.

Kim Snyder fell out of banking into founding a fintech startup right as the COVID pandemic struck the globe. Luckily, her upbringing as a Virginia farm girl gave her the work ethic and determination to chart a path through the chaos. Her team members are hand-picked for their unique abilities to push through hardship and deliver results for clients.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

Both of Kim’s parents worked full-time to support her and her two older brothers. Kim’s mother also went to school part-time. This imbued her with a deep conviction that she could accomplish anything she wanted to.

After completing her accounting degree at James Madison University, she went to work for KPMG and eventually become the Chief Financial Officer of Valley Bank in Roanoke, VA, near where she grew up.

When Valley Bank was sold, and Kim’s position eliminated, along with many of her team-mates, she decided to launch a consulting business.

It wasn’t long before the seed of a product idea sprouted in her mind. A seed that had been planted back her days at Valley Bank.

Along with a few of her trusted colleagues, Kim launched KlariVis to help banks and credit unions transform their data into meaningful insights. That was in 2019, a scant year before the COVID pandemic threw the global economy into chaos and many startups failed to survive.

But Kim Snyder and her team forged their way through and have grown KlariVis into one of INC’s 5000 fastest growing companies.

Although Kim may not have unlocked the secret to getting in extra time at the gym and running a successful startup, her insights on leadership and building a motivated team serve as a far more lasting inspiration to us all. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Kim Snyder.

Resources:

Kim’s recommendations:

Books By Kristin Hannah:

The Women

The Nightingale

Connect:

Kim Snyder LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode seventeen of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is David Reiling, Chairman and CEO of Sunrise Banks.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders.

David may have worked in banking his entire life, but it wasn’t until he was running a bank of his own that he realized he is actually an entrepreneur who happens to enjoy banking. The thread becomes obvious when learn about his passion for creating win-win scenarios and going far outside the walls of the bank to serve his client.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

A self-described “shy, Catholic, military school kid from Minnesota,” David proved over and over that his willingness to work hard and think differently than his peers would help him achieve great things. He grew up in an ethnic Italian community, swinging a hammer for his uncle’s construction company and even witnessing a bank robbery one summer as a bank teller – that proved to be a formative experience.

After getting his college degree in sunny San Diego, David went to work as a banker in south-central LA and cut his teeth during the infamous bank robbery epidemic of the 1980s and 90s.

He also learned how to navigate the chaotic, diverse, urban core that was and is urban Los Angeles. Whether it was serving a grieving gang member with dignity and respect, or figuring out how to help Taiwanese businessmen spend quality time with their favorite pets, David saw the value in people, no matter their social status or net worth.

That theme continued to play out when he moved back to Minnesota to buy a troubled bank smack in the middle of an ethnic Hmong neighborhood.

That institution is now Sunrise Banks, a certified B-corporation, Community Development Financial Institution, and a beacon of financial support for people of all cultures and backgrounds.

David has so much wisdom to offer on leadership, finding your tribe, and building a mission-driven organization – this conversation is a rare gift. We’re proud to share it with our listeners.

Resources:

David’s recommendations:

Books:

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness

Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart – Until You’re 80 and Beyond

Connect:

David Reiling LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode fourteen of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Steve Robert, Co-Founder and CEO of Autobooks.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. Steve has always had a strong drive to succeed, whether that was jumping into the workforce at the earliest opportunity or teaching himself how to write code. Today he’s still got that same ambition, it’s just tempered by a deep understanding of the difference between building fast and burning out.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

Steve grew up in Detroit at a time when it’s economy was heavily dependent on the big automakers. Either you worked directly for the big three or you worked at a supplier for the big three. His father worked as a plant manager for one such supplier. It was there that Steve forged his indomitable work ethic, gained hard skills like driving a forklift and the knowledge that he didn’t want to work in a factory forever.

Eventually he made his way into IT and taught himself to code. That him to co-found a company known as Billhighway, an early fintech company that launched only a year after Paypal.

After a successful exit from Billhighway Steve could have stepped back from entrepreneurship and lived comfortably. That wasn’t in Steve’s nature as a leader. He felt a strong desire to create new opportunities for others, sending the elevator back down so to speak.

He founded Autobooks in 2015 and the company has enjoyed rapid growth, multiple awards, and consistent recognition as a leader in the fintech industry.

While Steve doesn’t take apart VCRs or troubleshoot broken software tools anymore, he’s gathered a talented team that is transforming the way banks and credit unions serve their business clientele. Together they’re building a company that is solving real-world problems with advanced technology.

Momentum for the Starship Autobooks is approaching warp speed and this episode is your opportunity to hear about from its captain firsthand.

Resources:

Steve’s recommendations:

Book: Adventures in Contentment by David Grayson.

Also available for free from the Gutenberg Project.

Connect:

Steve Robert LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode fifteen of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Tanya Van Court, Founder and CEO of Goalsetter.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. Tanya comes from a line of strong women who became living bridges to support their families and communities. Tanya is carrying that legacy forward and scaling it way up.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

As an single mother and elementary school teacher Tanya’s mother was devoted to her children and her students. Unfortunately, she passed away when Tanya was six-years-old. Tanya’s aunt stepped into the gap and adopted her nieces and nephews.

With those loving and unbelievably resilient role-models as her springboard, Tanya went on to earn a double engineering degree from Stanford, and then work in multiple high-profile roles in technology and media, including QWEST, Cablevision, ESPN, Nickelodeon and Discovery.

The impetus for starting her own company, Goalsetter, came from a financial catastrophe early in her career, when more than a million dollars in stock options went to almost nothing as the Dot Com Bubble burst in 2001. Many years later, Tanya saw a massive opportunity to teach children the knowledge and habits of wealth building.

Today, Tanya Van Court is bringing all of her wisdom and technical expertise to bear on this issue. Goalsetter is award-winning company that is transforming how families learn and practice sound financial principles. The stories she tells about what these young kids are achieving with their money is so inspiring.

Maybe you saw Tanya on Shark Tank back in 2009 and wondered what happened. We’re thrilled to say that Goalsetter is making major waves in the industry, recently closing another round of funding with investors such as Edward Jones, MassMutual, and Fiserv.

Now you get to the full story of how Tanya has built this incredible company to be a financial bridge for the next generation of children.

Resources:

Tanya’s recommendations:

Book: Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis

Connect:

Tanya Van Court LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode fourteen of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Craig Montanaro, President and CEO of Kearny Bank.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. Craig got an early start in banking, like at age five or six. Since then, he’s reached the top and brought a lot of people with him.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

Having your father as a boss at your day job isn’t a guarantee of a long and happy career. Craig even got confrontational when he felt that his upward journey at the bank wasn’t happening fast enough. Thankfully, a trusted mentor stepped in and helped Craig reevaluate the situation.

Eventually, Craig moved into the Chief Operating Officer role and helped facilitate a merger with a much larger bank. And when the CEO of the larger bank was ready to retire, it was finally Craig’s chance to lead the organization.

Craig knows the business of banking inside and out. He’s got technical prowess and leadership experience. And he’s committed to empowering his team and letting them take chances and make mistakes.

As a family man and avid golfer, Craig Montanaro exudes the wisdom of a man who has been humbled by life and loves helping others succeed. Kearny Bank is big bank that has performed a miracle – it still feels like a small, community bank with a focus on personal relationships. This combination is a credit to Craig’s leadership and a testament to where Kearny is headed.

Resources:

Craig’s recommendations:

Book: The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever

Book: My Life

Connect:

Craig Montanaro LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode thirteen of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Alice Frazier, President and CEO of Bank of Charles Town.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. Alice doesn’t fit the modern profile of a disruptive personality. But that’s because we’ve confused ostentatious behavior with innovation and change.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

When Alice entered the world of banking as an external auditor, she learned the business of community banking by looking deep into the numbers. But she craved the opportunity to take her findings as an auditor and turn them into meaningful changes for the institution. Her opportunity came in the aftermath of the Savings and Loan Crisis of the late 1980s.

At every step of her career, Alice brought the steady excellence and clear thinking that she learned showing horses as a teenager. She has also invested heavily in building relationships with colleagues outside the workplace – a vital skill that she encourages her entire team to exemplify.

In this episode you’ll hear how sometimes the disruption a company needs is not the disruption it deserves, why it’s important to get comfortable with discomfort, and what it takes to become Batman after years of playing Robin.

Alice Frazier is a queen among bankers, guiding BCT with a firm and loving hand that has positioned it for decades of growth.

Resources:

Alice’s recommendations:

Book: The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life

Book: No Regrets: A Practical Guide to the 4th Quarter of Your Life

Connect:

Alice P. Frazier LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode twelve of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is John Sorrell, President and CEO of Core Bank.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. John dreamed of becoming a professional water-skier, but discovered his true niche in banking.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

John Sorrell is all about legacy. Whether it’s continuing the model of hard work and generosity that his father set, or the expanding commitment to build wealth and giving away set by the Omaha business community – John has a passion for serving others.

Core Bank is a bright example of a financial institution centered on clear values and the collaboration of every employees unique gifts and talents. They may specialize in banking services for medical practitioners, but they’re not exclusive about serving the community.

In this episode John offers encouragement to anyone struggling to find their purpose and passion in work. Step out in courage, lean into your network, and always be teachable when opportunity knocks on your door.

John’s example of humility and persistence is a leadership lesson that never gets old, and his wisdom is a gift to every one of our listeners.

Resources:

John’s recommendation:

Book: From Strength to Strength

Connect:

John Sorrell LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode eleven of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Kathleen Craig, founder and CEO of Plinqit.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. Kathleen came into the banking world with a wealth of customer experience knowledge gained from her years in the restaurant industry. That foundation has informed everything she’s done since.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

Kathleen Craig understands that if you truly care about a person’s wellbeing, you’ll muster the courage to tell them the truth. True compassion isn’t blind to conflict or issues, it brings them into the bigger picture of what’s best for that person. Niceness is often the downfall of what could be a beautiful relationship.

At Plinqit, the company Kathleen founded on nights and weekends while working for a bank, her team equips financial institutions with retail tools to reach their goals. They’re changing the way that banks and credit unions attract and manage their retail deposits.

In this episode you’ll learn that founding a business doesn’t have to take priority over raising a family or being a well-rounded person. It’s does take a deep commitment to your vision and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths head on.

Kathleen is a rare breed of CEO and founder – bringing kindness and candor to the workplace so that everyone can become better.

Resources:

Kathleen’s recommendation:

Book: Unbroken

Connect:

Kathleen Craig LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode ten of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Kelly A. Brown, CEO of Ampersand Incorporated and a Senior Advisor at Patriot Financial.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. And when Kelly realized she wanted to start a bank, it wasn’t to make a pile of money, it was to protect other people and their money.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

Kelly Brown leads from such a deep sense of purpose and passion that no matter how much success she achieved, she doesn’t lean back into a state of comfort or coasting. That’s not to say that she’s burning the candle at both ends – her focus is on relationships, not accolades. Kelly’s joy and enthusiasm have been forged through a life of trauma, difficulty, and determination to maximize every opportunity.

The most recent company she founded and leads, Ampersand Incorporated, offers treasury management and loan solutions to organizations with specialty deposit needs. They’re creating a bedrock of deposit stability in an industry that was rocked by the bank failures of early 2023.

This episode is a testament to what you can accomplish if you’re willing to stay humble, teachable, and hungry for opportunity. Kelly Brown’s life and career are paving the way for a new generation of people to enter the banking industry – making it a safer for everyone.

Resources:

Kelly’s recommendations:

Author: Robert Greene

Book: What Men Don’t Tell Women About Business (Chris Flett)

Connect:

Kelly Brown LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)

Welcome to episode eight of Builder, Banker, Hacker, Chief! Joining me today is Zach Duke, Co-Founder and CEO of Finosec.

On this show, I’m unpacking the stories, decisions, and influences that make people successful leaders. For Zach, the turning point in his career came at age 41 when he decided that it was time to launch his own cybersecurity company.

My name is Nathan Baumeister; I am the Co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech and the host of this podcast.

If you look at Zach’s resume, you’ll see a long, successful career working in financial technology, including a successful acquisition by one of the major core processing providers. What you don’t see is the many times he pivoted and leaned into his own shortcomings to become a better leader. Today, Zach has assembled a team where every employee can play to their strengths and relax in the knowledge that their weaknesses won’t be used as leverage.

Finosec, is helping financial institutions transform their approach to cybersecurity governance. This service will only become more important as cyber-attacks grow more frequent and sophisticated. Creating secure IT systems requires humility and continuous improvement, qualities that Zach Duke has in spades.

This episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, and that sometimes the thing you’re running away from is the thing you should be running toward.

Resources:

Zach’s recommendations:

Jack Carr’s Terminal List Book Series

Enneagram Personality System

CliftonStrengths (formerly Clifton StrengthsFinder)

Connect:

Zach Duke LinkedIn

Nathan Baumeister LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech LinkedIn

ZSuite Tech on X (formerly Twitter)