Kimberly Zwier
Banking Relationship Manager , Fifth Third Bank , NA
Kimberly Zwier , banking relationship manager for Fifth Third Bank , grew up in the small town of Marblehead , Ohio , where she was taught at a young age the importance of giving back .
Her first real introduction to the world of volunteerism happened around age 8 , when her grandmother inspired in her a love of horses .
“ Every summer , my grandparents would take us to a ranch in Colorado to ride horses ,” she recalls . “ For several years , my horse , Belle , and I would volunteer at Riders Unlimited , a riding program for disabled adults and children . I would ride to another barn a couple miles away twice a week , and Belle was great at helping the new riders learn .”
From there , Zwier began volunteering with organizations such as her local 4-H club , humane society and pony club . During her early service endeavors , she developed such an affinity for animals that she entered college with the plan of becoming a veterinarian . When she realized animal surgeries made her queasy , she tweaked her minor to open up more career possibilities . She graduated from Ohio State University in 2006 with a bachelor ’ s degree in animal science and a minor in agribusiness .
Zwier launched her professional career at State Farm Insurance , where her initial focus was in home and auto insurance sales . It was her experience in the insurance industry that taught her to value strong business relationships , which is a major focus of her present-day position at Fifth Third .
“ When I first started selling insurance , the main goal was to save my clients money ,” she says . “ However , I discovered I enjoyed customer service and helping people just as much as the challenge of selling . Over time in my role as a professional in banking , I ’ ve learned that while money is still important , it is just as important to have a strong business relationship with good customer service and to be a trusted advisor .”
Zwier made the transition into the banking industry first at Wells Fargo . When she relocated to Charleston , WV , in 2012 , she launched her career at Fifth Third Bank , where she serves as the go-to person for business owners and their banking needs .
“ I really enjoy learning about different industries , meeting different people and helping business owners achieve their goals ,” she says . “ While I help them with standard things like commercial loans and deposits , one of the underrated and unknown resources of my role is connecting people and encouraging them to think about their businesses a little differently . For example , I help business owners with succession planning .”
Zwier credits her success to her compassion , persistence and openness to critique , and she uses these characteristics every day in both her professional and personal life . One of
Zwier at the My Town exhibit .
JACKIE WHETZEL TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
her biggest challenges today is balancing her role as a wife and mother with her career .
“ When I first started working in banking , I would put in long hours working and volunteering ,” she says . “ Being in my role for a while has helped , but I still have to prioritize my day with what I need to accomplish first .”
While there ’ s no doubt that Zwier ’ s days are busy , she still makes plenty of time for that early life lesson she was taught to always help her neighbor .
In the past , she has volunteered for organizations such as Generation Charleston , Capital City Humane Society , Heartland Humane Society , YMCA and the Boy Scouts of America Buckskin Council . Today , she is a volunteer for the Charleston Lions Club and a member of the Charleston Rotary Club . She also invests a lot of her time with the United Way of Central West Virginia as chair of the Citizens Review Team and as a mentor for Education Elevators .
“ I ’ ve chosen these two because there is a constant and growing need to help guide our youth on a successful path in life and to be a positive role model , cheer them on , give them confidence and encourage them to fulfil their goals ,” says Zwier . “ If you choose the right organizations to volunteer with , you truly feel fulfilled .” •
“ Life is 10 % what happens to you and 90 % how you react to it .”
– Charles Swindoll
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