Washburn graduate enjoys working with money

Lisa Gilchrist

UMB facts

- The Kansas City Business Journal ranked UMB Financial Corp. as one of the Top 25 Area Public Companies.

- For the third consecutive year, UMB Bank captured the Gold award as Kansas City's Best Bank.

- In 2000, UMB Bank won e-business awards from CIO, PC Week and Inter@ctive magazines

- UMB branch locations: Topeka Midtown, 830 SW. Lane, 232-3311; Topeka East, 2100 S.W. 29th, 266-8521; Topeka North, 2014 N.W. Topeka Blvd., 235-0001; Topeka West, 5923 S.W. 29th, 273-9494

By Heather Jones

Special to The Capital-Journal

Life takes people in many directions. For Lisa Gilchrist, senior vice president UMB Bank, life threw her a curveball.

What started out as a way to make money through college ended up starting her career.

Originally from Maple Hill, a small community about 20 miles west of Topeka, Gilchrist came to Topeka immediately after graduating from high school in 1985 to attend Washburn University.

She lived on campus at the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority house and was involved with activities in her house.

"Topeka is considered a larger city," Gilchrist said, "but really it's very small, easy to get around, and you know everybody."

Gilchrist got her start in banking while a student at Washburn. She worked as a teller to earn money for expenses.

For three years, she worked as a part-time teller at the Shawnee Federal Bank. She opened new accounts and began supervising people, moving up to branch manager.

"At first, working with money was a little intimidating, but after a while, you get used to it" Gilchrist said, "and it becomes like paper."

Gilchrist never thought she would continue to work in a bank. Originally, she wanted to work for a nonprofit organization. She even interviewed for a couple of positions. Then, she found out how much they were paid.

"I was shocked at how low they were paid, not that banking paid any more, but I already had experience, and I liked the people," Gilchrist said. "After I graduated, the company I was working for asked me if they designed a management program would I stay, and I said yes."

Gilchrest's job duties may vary from day to day. She manages the Topeka market, which consists of four branches. She manages both commercial and retail activities, each requiring a different amount of attention from her. On the commercial side, she manages 150 accounts.

"It's really getting to know your customers and understanding their company," Gilchrist said.

The branches and individual customers who come in make up the retail aspect of her job. She said her job is "really a little bit of everything."

With increased duties comes an increased responsibility. Managing other people can be difficult. However, one of her favorite things about her job is working with the people.

"Some of the customers come in, and I still help balance their checkbooks, even though I'm in an office," Gilchrist said.

So far, Gilchrist has had the position of senior vice president for three years. All senior management --- except for the president - -- started their careers as tellers.

"They understand the very basic job at the bank," Gilchrist said.

Heather Jones is a senior at Washburn University.

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