PLAINFIELD – Gretchen Patterson, executive vice president & chief strategy officer for State Bank, Brownsburg, has been honored with the 2026 Indiana Bankers Association Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Amundsen Davis LLC. She was presented with the award on Thursday, Nov. 5, during the IBA Banking on Women conference.
The annual award recognizes a woman in banking who excels at her profession, is active in her community, and supports other women to reach their full potential – whether in banking or other fields.
Described by one of her nominators as “a living testament to what can be achieved with grit, grace and a passion for lifting others as you climb,” Patterson is known for her collaborative spirit, sharing wisdom and fostering a culture where ideas flow freely. She has broken down traditional silos, making her a trusted advisor to executives and entry-level employees alike.
“Gretchen embodies the highest standards for strategic vision and operational execution in Indiana banking,” said Matt Price, president and CEO of State Bank. “She has a gift for translating complex organizational goals into tangible, high-impact projects, and this has been transformational for our bank. Beyond her operational expertise, her dedication to lifting emerging female leaders makes this recognition richly deserved.”
The landscape for women in financial fields looked drastically different when Patterson started working 50 years ago. Her career has been described as “a masterclass in resilience, strategic brilliance and adaptability.”
Her expertise was honored by State Bank when leadership named her the bank’s first chief strategy officer earlier this year. Patterson guides and coordinates strategic initiatives across the organization, including leading new product development, strengthening project management discipline, and optimizing systems and processes to improve efficiency and scalability.
“Gretchen is a true champion for women in banking and a committed leader in her community, proving herself to be one of those special leaders who dedicates their life to helping those around them – both in and out of the office – reach their full potential,” said Amber R. Van Til, IBA president and CEO. “We are proud to count her among our ranks and appreciate all she does in support of not just the Indiana banking community, but her broader community.”
