Episode 057
Kristin Bauer
Are you pushing yourself too hard for immediate results? Join Alice Tang as she speaks with Kristin Bauer, VP at Bank of the Pacific, about the long game of professional success. Kristin reveals how she landed a $5 million client account and why she had to learn to be her own best advocate to overcome her “inner enemy.” Learn why Kristin believes you must put on your own “oxygen mask” first to be effective for your family and your team, and how a “marathon mindset” can sustain you through the long journey of a 16-year banking career.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
"You have to be your own best advocate. And that's something that I live by too, is being your own best advocate and being your own best friend because you're always there to listen."
Kristin Bauer: I’ve been in banking, a little over 16 years here at this point, and it’s kind of fuzzy, time, time creeps up on you. But, uh, before that, I actually spent some time working, for a couple of municipalities. So I spent some time managing the cash and investment portfolio for the city of Salem and then subsequently Port of Portland. And then got into banking from there on out, with specific focus in treasury management.
Alice Tang: I met Kristen if you remind me ’cause who’s counting? At the, Risk Management Association women’s event in 2023.
Kristin Bauer: That’s right.
Alice Tang: So there we hooked up ongoing and build this friendship. And you have came to our event, where you were a mentee to the Women’s Million Dollar conversation event.
Kristin Bauer: The event that we’re talking about is just in the past few months here, I was able to, bring in a client account with $5 million in deposit. So I patted myself on the back and thought that was great. But again, maybe this is just one of those mindset things. I didn’t think it counted, and the reason I didn’t think it counted was because it wasn’t revenue based.
Alice Tang: [Your] story made me cry. I sobbed on the phone when I heard, and I’m gonna do it again now. Because it is about you owning that you have accomplished. Nobody can say anything.
Kristin Bauer: It’s looking at yourself as the glass that’s half full. And, that’s hard to do sometimes. I want so much to be successful… I need to be nicer to myself.
Kristin Bauer: You find those people that wanna be supportive and mutually supportive and help lift each other up. The people that drag you down, oh my goodness, get rid of ’em, right? Get ’em outta your life, my goodness. They’re gonna drag you down. Don’t do it. You have to be your own best advocate
Kristin Bauer: I’ve always felt like, you know, the little girl at the table or, oh, should I speak up or should I not speak up? When I’m sitting in a group of people who are highly respected… I’m thinking, what can I add to this? You gave me a very good piece of advice, which was just input one thing, just say one thing to add… add one piece of value if you can. It has helped me get past my own obstacle of thinking that I’m not enough.
Kristin Bauer: I love building that network and I love seeing the fruits of what you’ve built there too, with your colleagues and building that kind of uplifting community. We just, we need it so much, especially as women because there’s so many elements out there dragging us down on a daily basis.
Kristin Bauer: Have grit and perseverance. Keep going forward. Keep putting one foot in front of the other each day even when it’s difficult, and bring your authentic self to work. Life’s, life’s a long journey. And so not giving up is really important. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Kristin Bauer: Success is all relative too. There’s successes you can have today that could be mini successes. There’s successes that you could have tomorrow that could be bigger. And maybe in five years, maybe there is your mountain that you reach and you’ve climbed the mountain… then that’s your big milestone. Don’t be disappointed with the little struggles here and there.
Kristin Bauer: Realize that this is a, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We’re an instant gratification society. We like to have our needs met immediately, but the thing about it is career management, and then actually, doing a job every day. It’s a marathon and not a sprint, so just keep going. Relationships are success.
Kristin Bauer: I’ve discovered that too over the last couple of years. I was pressing myself into areas that were not as successful as I wanted them to be. The reason that I had to make that change… was my health was declining. So I have made a pivot and remembered that I have to put my own oxygen mask on first. I was pulling myself in too many different directions. There wasn’t enough me to go around.
Kristin Bauer: You also can’t help others if you’re not breathing yourself. I had to prioritize me in that process, but also realize that once again, I can’t be here for my kids. I can’t be here for my family if I’m not here. Very simple, but also pretty profound.
Kristin Bauer: I think some wise person out there has said something to the effect of, you have to slow down to speed up. Oftentimes, we’re going a million miles an hour and we’re running forward without a game plan… but if you slow down and you make a plan and you move forward with a plan in mind, you’re always gonna be more effective.
Kristin Bauer is Vice President and Senior Treasury Management Consultant for Bank of the Pacific (BOP), located in Lake Oswego, OR. At BOP, she brings extensive expertise in cash management, treasury solutions, and financial strategy to help businesses optimize their operations. With a deep understanding of commercial banking and a client-focused approach, Kristin works closely with organizations of all sized to provide tailored solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Known for her insightful guidance and collaborative style, she is passionate about empowering businesses to achieve their financial goals while navigating today’s economic landscape.
Kristin graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Willamette University with a Master of Business administration, and most recently from Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS) at the University of Washington where she served as class president. She also holds the esteemed Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation since 2009.
Kristin is active and invested in her community. Currently she serves as Board Chair for the Serendipity Center, Board Treasurer for the Good Neighbor Center, and Chair of the Ambassador Committee for the Tualatin Area Chamber of Commerce.