Annette Wanchena

Board Member
Alerus Financial

Annette Wanchena has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, presently as a senior treasury management consultant with Alerus Financial.

She previously served in roles at financial organizations in the Twin Cities area, including investment firm administrator, vice president of e-banking, vice president of commercial deposits and cash management, and business banking officer, enabling her to build an extensive knowledge base with an emphasis on cash management, corporate finance, and treasury operations.

She is a Certified Treasury Professional and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing management and innovation from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

A favorite part of Annette’s role is working with local nonprofits and foundations, allowing them to be good stewards of their organization’s funds.

She has served on many boards and committees of local nonprofits, including being a mentor and trainer for WomenVenture, which provides small business training and services to women. 

Currently, Annette is on the social committee for the Nonprofit Financial Group – Twin Cities, and is a booster for her daughter’s high school basketball team.  She lives in the southeast metro with her husband and two children. 

Lessons I'd offer my younger self

  1. You shouldn’t be expected to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when you get out of high school.  You’ll develop skills, and your interests can evolve as you grow in your career. In addition, priorities will change as you age.  Your trajectory may not be a straight line, but it has lots of twists and dips in it. 
     
  2. Work on your strengths.  It’s great to try different roles and tasks, but pay attention to what gives you energy.  Not everyone is meant to be a manager or own a business, but you can be a leader in your own right when your strengths shine.
     
  3. Not everyone will like you.  It’s important to respect differences and treat others equally, but you can’t make everyone happy.  Find your “people.” Love on others. Do the best you can.