Eden Prairie, MN — Star Bank is proud to announce that Katie Wahlquist, President & CEO of Star Bank, has been recognized as a 2026 Notable Woman in Banking & Finance by Twin Cities Business. This prestigious honor highlights outstanding women leaders across Minnesota who are driving meaningful impact in the banking and financial services industry.
Honorees were nominated by peers, colleagues, and members of the professional community. To be eligible, nominees were required to have at least five years of experience in their field and be affiliated with an organization based in Minnesota. Selection was based on demonstrated leadership and initiatives that have created significant, positive, and measurable results. Notably, recipients do not pay a fee to be considered or to receive the award.
Katie Wahlquist serves as President & CEO of Star Bank, a family-owned independent community bank headquartered in Maple Lake, Minnesota, with offices in 11 communities including Eden Prairie. Since joining the organization in 2010, she has led with a strong focus on culture, leadership development, and long-term organizational growth.
Over the past several years, Wahlquist has prioritized attracting, developing, and retaining top talent across the organization. Under her leadership, Star Bank has expanded its leadership team and strengthened its commitment to employee development. By the end of 2025, the bank had five times the number of women in leadership roles compared to previous years. Today, women represent approximately 75% of Star Bank’s workforce, including 20 women serving in leadership roles across branch offices and back-office departments.
In addition to advancing leadership diversity, Wahlquist has championed mentoring and professional development initiatives. She has helped bring educational programming into the organization and led the rebranding and relaunch of Star Bank’s mentorship program in 2025. The refreshed program is designed to identify and develop future leaders while strengthening employee engagement, learning, and retention.
“This recognition reflects the incredible people at Star Bank who show up every day with commitment, care, and a shared focus on serving our communities,” said Wahlquist. “I’m honored to be included among so many accomplished women leaders across Minnesota’s banking and finance industry.”
Star Bank congratulates Katie Wahlquist on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her continued leadership in shaping the future of community banking in Minnesota.