Central Bank is in the midst of its largest technology upgrade ever, and at the heart of this transformation are Cheryl Kendrick and Jill Hansen. As leaders, they guide teams, make critical decisions, and keep the bank running smoothly, all while showing what thoughtful, inspiring leadership looks like.
From Early Days to Leadership
Cheryl Kendrick began at the bank in 1992 as a part-time proof operator while re-entering the workforce as a young mom. Over time, she took on leadership roles across operations, fraud prevention, and loan processing. Reflecting on her journey, Cheryl says:
"Some of the best lessons I learned were because I had to fix my own mistakes. I encourage young professionals to be authentic and to learn from every experience."
Jill Hansen joined in 2006 and expanded her team from 25 to more than 50 employees, introducing innovations like real-time payments, mobile apps, and streamlined project processes. She emphasizes resilience and dedication:
"You must want it. You must work hard. Be resilient, be kind, give credit where it’s due, and care. If you don’t love it, get out. That’s advice for anyone stepping into leadership, especially young women in tech."
Leading Through Transformation
The technology upgrade isn’t just about replacing software; it’s about building people and systems for the future. Cheryl and Jill meet daily with fellow leader Pete Beard to review progress, solve problems, and support teams across 17 workstreams. In simple terms, we’re rebuilding the engine while the plane is still flying.
"Leadership means being present, staying connected, and helping your teams succeed—even when the work feels overwhelming." Jill says.
Both leaders emphasize the importance of their teams. Jill notes, “Watching our teams push through challenges with such heart has been the most rewarding part of this work. They inspire me every day.” Cheryl adds, “The credit belongs to the people doing the hard work. I’m grateful to be in the trenches with them.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
For Cheryl and Jill, success isn’t just completing a project, it’s creating opportunities for others, especially women, to step into leadership. They mentor rising leaders, encourage growth through challenges, and model a leadership style that balances empathy and strategy.
"Build a support network. Take every learning opportunity. Step outside your comfort zone," Cheryl advises.
Through their vision, dedication, and mentorship, Cheryl and Jill are shaping the future of Central Bank while inspiring the next generation of women leaders in technology and operations.
