PEORIA MAGAZINE December 2022

to explain. “I amexcited and inspired by the increasing number of women rising to leadership roles in the industry during my tenure. However, much like the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) industries, more women

still need to be recruited into finance before we will see them in senior seats. It is still a work in progress.” ‘MORE WOMEN STILL NEED TO BE RECRUITED INTO FINANCE’ — Pam Howe That’s one of the reasons she became the founding co-chair of the Illinois chapter of RISE, the Commerce employee resource group for women. “The name is an acronym for the group’s commitment to female employees – Respect, Inspire, Succeed, Empower,” said Howe. “Serving in this role to help other women at Commerce claim their seats at the table has been very gratifying.” “Pam is always willing to lend an ear and provide sage advice,” said James. “In addition toour direct interactions, Pam’s shadow has been very impactful for me as well as others. She leads by example. With her impressive background and knowledge, she’s able toprovidecoaching with an empathetic approach that helps to build confidence among the team.” GIVING BACK In addition to RISE, Howe’s com munity involvement ref lects her own changing roles and experiences throughout her life. When she was a personal lender, she served on the board of Consumer Credit Counseling Services educating people about credit. Once she became a mortgage lender, affordable housing resonated with her, and she accepted a seat on the East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services board. As a mother of daughters, she served on the board of the Kickapoo Council of Girl Scouts and in a Junior Achievement classroom. And her observation of housing challenges faced by aging relatives compelled her to join the board of Rebuilding Together Peoria. Her current commitment to the board of Methodist College arose from the

compassionate care her husband received during his cancer journey. She also recently joined the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Aside from the satisfaction of helping neighbors in need, community involvement has presented tremendous avenues for personal and professional development. “I have practiced and refined con fidence, collaboration, public speak ing, time management, leadership and other transferable skills through my community involvement activities,” she said. “The networking and relation ships derived from community activity can even lead to business or career growth opportunities.” Outside of work, Howe, 60, enjoys spending time with her husband, Rich, two daughters, Regina and Lexi, and their husbands. She is also a voracious reader, enjoys yoga, golfing and traveling. She continues to mentor and encourage women to identify their core values and allow those to drive them. “My core values are benevolence, achievement and integrity,” she said, “and I have created a value mantra to keep them in focus: Do good, do well, and do right.” Meanwhile, Howe has come to realize that feedback is a gift that she should regularly seek and accept. “Never squander the learning opportunities that arise from mistakes,” she said. “Respect the lesson and focus on how to pivot and move forward.” Finally, Howe emphasizes the im portance of realizing that the journey is so much more rewarding than the destination. “To quote one of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, ‘Don’t be afraid to choose the road less traveled.”

In 1981, Pam married Rich Howe

Pam works on a Rebuilding Together Peoria project in 2007

Amy Talcott is a senior marketing and communications analyst at RLI Corp. and a freelance writer

The Howe family celebrates a 2013 hooding ceremony

42 DECEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE