International Women's Day 2023

On March 8th, we celebrate International Women's Day, a day to honor the achievements and contributions of women worldwide. As we commemorate the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of women everywhere, we recognize the women within Texas Partners Bank team who continue to make a positive impact. In celebration of their consistency of purpose and exploration mindsets; our leaders share their advice for growth, and who they admire as they help shape the future of our community.


Patti Wilson

Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
 
If you could have dinner with 3 inspiring women, who would they be and why?
  • Rebecca Lowe – She is an NBC sportscaster who leads the team for Men’s Premier League Soccer coverage.  I love watching Rebecca lead the discussion, employ humor, tackle controversial angles with poise and while presenting as a graceful woman who is wildly knowledgeable about a typically male-dominated subject.
  • Condoleezza Rice – She is smart, accomplished, underestimated and never seemingly overwhelmed.
  • Missy Cummings – One of the first female Navy pilots, PhD in systems engineering, professor, discoverer, and problem solver. She is fascinated with how humans and technology can complement our world.
Who inspires you? 
I am inspired by so many things and people. Generally, I find myself drawn to people who find ways to locate the best of a situation and pull humor, kindness, and bold determination into a solution.
 
What is mission-critical for entrepreneurs and leaders to do to achieve their goals and grow?
Explore, question and laugh as much as you can. First at yourself and then at the silliness of life. Then be serious about serious things.  Use logic to balance your emotions and rely on trustworthy confidants to hold you steady.

What are the top three words that describe you?
Hopeful, content, and curious
 
What are your favorite hobbies? 
Pilates might be it for now.

 

Marcy Mikolajczyk

Senior Vice President, Director of Deposit Operations
 

Who inspires you? 
My family 

What is mission-critical for entrepreneurs and leaders to do to achieve their goals and grow?
Work hard, be kind & never ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t or haven’t done yourself. 

What are the top three words that describe you? 
Helpful, honest, and kind 

What are your favorite hobbies? 
Yardwork & sewing 


Amanda McChesney

Senior Vice President, San Antonio Credit Executive
 
 
Who inspires you? 
My mom - who taught me the power of resilience and hard work.
My grandmother - who inspires me with her mental and physical strength. She is 91 and still goes to the gym every day.  She can even do a plank! 
My kids - who inspire me every day with their curiosity, and tenacity, and who remind me to live in the moment – and keep a good sense of humor along the way.

What are the top three words that describe you? 
Organized, competitive, and persistent 

What are your favorite hobbies? 
Anything outdoors or active - hiking, camping, running 


Sherita Graves

Senior Vice President, Regulatory Risk Manager

If you could have dinner with 3 inspiring women, who would they be and why?
Serena Williams, Angela Bassett, and Beyonce. They are wives, mothers, philanthropists, and the best at their crafts. Their work ethic is admirable! I would love to hear how they keep it all together. 
 
Who inspires you? 
My aunt. She is strong, independent, generous, and courageous. At maybe 17 or 18, she left home to attend college 1,200 miles away. I’m almost positive she had never been alone that far away before! She didn’t return home for almost 20 years. Every summer I would visit her in the suburbs of NYC. It was her way of making sure that I was aware of and exposed to the world outside Smalltown, MS. I remember being maybe 8 or 9 years old and telling people that I was going to be a doctor just like my aunt. I chose a different path. When the time came for me to step outside my comfort zone, I reflected on what she was able to accomplish. It is because of her that I expose my own nieces and nephews to the world outside Smalltown, MS. It is because of her that I keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone. She is and has always been my greatest inspiration.
 
What is mission-critical for entrepreneurs and leaders to do to achieve their goals and grow?
I believe you have to be uncomfortable in order to get comfortable. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone. You might actually like it! 

What are the top three words that describe you?
This is a tough one. Loyal, open-minded, and capable.
 
What are your favorite hobbies? 
Are monthly spa days considered a hobby?!