MEET MORE OF OUR 2025 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Erin Pechanach, Erika Nowak and Becky Messmann are now vice presidents at Ixonia Bank – but they all started as tellers. Working the desk, they learned to love engaging with people, something they now bring to their current roles leading the organization. “Helping others is extremely rewarding,” says Nowak. “That’s what led me to the job.”
That spirit of service, of course, extends to clients at the seven branches of this locally owned bank, but it also includes the bank’s staff. Pechanach, Nowak and Messmann pride themselves on mentoring others – and say that the culture of mentorship is one reason Ixonia Bank has a high employee retention rate, particularly among women.
“We need to pass down experience and knowledge to the younger generation to keep what we’re doing going forward,” Nowak says, noting that the bank was recently recognized as the fastest-growing local company by BizTimes Media.
Ixonia Bank’s smaller scale means leaders can more directly support staff members. And in turn, the bank’s clients receive a more personalized approach from the caring, local team.
“Being able to learn from others has taken me this far,” says Pechanach. “Now we have the opportunity to give back.”
“Be open to all opportunities. You never know where it’s going to lead you.”
– Becky Messmann
Q&A
What does a day look like in your job?
Erika Nowak: Being a community bank, we all wear a lot of different hats. We’re always working to keep the bank on track and ensure our clients have the best possible service.
Erin Pechanach: On my way to work I think about what I need to do for the day, and then the emails open up and take over. Answering questions will take precedence over my to-do list.
Becky Messmann: Whatever comes along that day is where you end up.
What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve overcome in your career?
Erika Nowak: I would take on everything so my team wouldn’t burn out. You have to figure out how to disperse that work.
Becky Messmann: With work-life balance, you’re always getting pulled in both directions, and it’s hard to make the decision of which direction to go in the moment.
Erin Pechanach: Even without a finance or accounting degree, being able to learn and absorb from others has taken me this far.
