St. Louis Business Journal Names Sara Foster a 2021
C-Suite Award Honoree
St. Louis, MO – Sara Foster, executive vice president, talent and corporate administration, has been named a St. Louis Business Journal 2021 C-Suite Award honoree. The publication received more than 70 nominations for the awards program, which honors the top executives leading the strategies and policies driving success at their respective companies and organizations. Foster was among 15 local leaders recognized on the list.
Foster leads Commerce’s talent and corporate administration initiatives and is a member of the executive management committee. In her role, Foster oversees all functions related to human resources and manages the Company’s non-credit risk efforts. Foster’s recent efforts to enhance the people experience among Commerce team members have earned Commerce high ratings from global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry in the areas of employee engagement and enablement. Foster provides executive leadership in a variety of areas spanning talent and risk management and is viewed as a trusted advisor to leaders and teams throughout the organization.
“Sara’s leadership contributions over her 34-year career with Commerce are truly remarkable. In addition to leading a risk management function that is consistently recognized as outstanding by regulatory agencies, Sara has championed the formation of mentoring programs, pioneered detailed company-wide succession planning and has overseen the creation of organizational development training and leadership programs,” said John Kemper, Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bank. “This recognition is a true testament to her leadership, impressive track record of accomplishments, and her impact in our community. On behalf of the organization, I congratulate Sara on this well-deserved honor.”
Foster’s contributions to the local community are many, having served on numerous boards over the years, including the YWCA and the Chancellors Council for UMSL. She has long served on, and chaired, the board for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and, more recently, was elected as the President of the board of the Normandy Schools Collaborative, the governing body overseeing the Normandy School District in North St. Louis County. Foster holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a master’s in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis.
About Commerce Bank
With $32.9 billion in assets1, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is a registered bank holding company offering a full line of banking services, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. Commerce Bank, a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., leverages more than 150 years of proven strength and experience to help individuals and businesses solve financial challenges. In addition to offering payment solutions across the U.S., Commerce Bank currently operates full-service banking facilities across the Midwest including the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Springfield, Central Missouri, Central Illinois, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Denver. It also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial offices, ATMs, online, mobile and through a 24/7 customer service line. Learn more at www.commercebank.com.
1. As of December 31, 2020
