Katie Wahlquist is a 3rd generation American Red Cross volunteer within her family unit and she is a Bonnie McElveen-Hunter (BMH) Lifetime Member of the Tiffany Circle. Katie was elected to the Tiffany Circle National Council in June 2007 and served as an active member of the Council for 7 years. During her tenure on the National Council, Katie enjoyed serving as the Tiffany Circle Chair for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign with Pitney Bowes during two holiday seasons. She also served as the Chair of the Communications Committee prior to her successor, Sara Horein. Katie volunteered to serve as Co-Chair of the 10th Annual Tiffany Circle Summit in Washington D.C. (2017) which was a privilege and a highlight of her experience on the Tiffany Circle National Council. One of Katie’s favorite memories as a National Council Member was attending the very first launch event for the Tiffany Circle in London, UK. As a Torchbearer member, Katie participates in events with her local Tiffany Circle Chapter in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she resides. She also serves on the Board of Directors with the American Red Cross Minnesota & Dakotas Region.
Katie is a financial services executive and she aspires to raise the glass ceiling and help other women leaders thrive to their greatest potential. She is currently the President/CEO and Board Chair of Star Bank, a $460MM bank in Minnesota that serves 11 communities. Katie is actively involved in the financial services industry nationwide and is a strong community bank advocate. She was named to the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who in America in 2024 and was named a Notable Woman in Banking & Finance by Twin Cities Business Magazine, an Outstanding Woman in Banking by BankBeat Magazine, and a Top Woman in Finance by Finance & Commerce Newspaper. Katie’s activities outside of Star Bank include serving on the following Board of Directors: Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA); MidWest Bancorportation, Inc.; and a local non-profit, Transforming Resources. Katie attended the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado in Boulder (GSBC) after earning a MA from Bethel University and a BA from Drake University. In her leisure time, Katie enjoys attending NFL and college football games, music concerts, and spending time with family members and friends at her summer cabin in rural Minnesota.