Fast Five: STCU's Maren Maier

Tell us about yourself.

Generation: This is a tricky question for all of us in our mid-30s. We often get that look either way we go, either too old for millennial or too young for Gen X. I think I fit best under the “microgeneration” Xennial. A little bit of youth and a little bit of wisdom.

Career and community involvement: I have been in community and small business banking since I graduated from the University of Idaho (go Vandals!) in 2005. I started out in commercial credit analysis and moved up to a relationship management role a little over four years ago. I am currently a business banking officer at STCU for North Idaho. Community involvement is kind of a long list because it is truly my passion: I serve on the board of the Lady d’Alene’s, a women’s young professional service group; I am a member of the Innovation Collective Leadership Network, Coeur d'Alene Rotary, Kootenai County Young Professionals and I am pretty involved with my daughter’s PTA at Fernan STEM Academy. I am a graduate of Coeur d’Alene Chamber’s Leadership CDA 2016 and served on the board for the Downtown Association and its Economic Development Committee for a few years as well. I try to stay active in our local U of I Alumni group and the local chambers of commerce. I also try to find time to volunteer for local nonprofits and attend community events.

Parental status: My husband Greg and I have three kiddos — daughter Saydi, 9 and identical twin boys Jax and Eli, 5. We also have two dogs, Barney and Beddy.

1. What does the word "community" mean to you?

It means engaging with people from all walks of life, accepting them, including them, challenging them and connecting them. It means truly listening to their stories, their concerns, their ideas — not so you can personally benefit, but so you can help them connect to others. Community is a basic human need; we cannot survive in isolation. We need our fellow man, we need to feel a sense of ownership toward the place we call home and a sense of obligation to leave this world a better place than we found it.

2. If you could meet any person from history, who would it be and what would you do together?

My husband is the real history buff, but I think I would love to meet Walt Disney. What an amazing legacy — family, fun, joy, laughter, innovation, imagination, community. I would want to go on a private tour of his first amusement park with him, to hear about where the ideas for all of it came from, and then discuss his thoughts on what it's become.

3. What motivates you in your career and work every day?

My customers and my teammates are No. 1. I want to help business owners achieve their goals and build their businesses, whether it’s a startup entrepreneur looking for advice, or the experienced owner who’s been doing it for 20 years — there are hurdles at every step of a business life cycle. And my team rocks, they are so fun!

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

Other than having twins, maybe that my birthday is on Christmas Day, and that I actually like it! I get to spend my birthday surrounded by my family and full of love. Plus, once you have kids, my birthday doesn’t really exist and the older I get, that’s OK!

5. What is one of your favorite things to do in North Idaho?

I love getting out into nature — camping, golfing, boating, hiking, snowshoeing, four-wheeling, you name it. We live in a beautiful area!

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Devin Weeks can be reached by email at dweeks@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DevinCDAPress