Cornerstone Community Bank and SmartBank announce the addition of Stefanie Crowe as executive vice president, chief experience & strategy officer.
As chief experience & strategy officer, Ms. Crowe will operate out of the Chattanooga market where she will be responsible for directing, guiding and facilitating the company’s strategic planning process and will lead efforts related to merger integration involving client experiences, corporate public relations, facilities, brand and culture.
She will also amplify the bank’s efforts around innovation and will work closely with the business development teams as the bank launches several new products and client initiatives.
“We are very excited to have Stefanie on our team,” said Cornerstone Chairman Miller Welborn. “As Cornerstone and SmartBank prepare for our merger, Stefanie will be critical in our plan to transform into Chattanooga’s most innovative and dynamic community bank. The foundation that Cornerstone has built is tremendous, and the merger with SmartFinancial positions us to take our Chattanooga growth to the next level. It’s no secret that banking has had its challenges since the financial crisis. I say this with all seriousness: It’s time to bring the fun back.” Mr. Welborn will be the Chairman of the combined company.
“We have a number of new initiatives planned for Chattanooga, Knoxville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, as well as the Florida Panhandle. Having Stefanie in place to lead these efforts is exciting for our entire company,” stated SmartBank President & CEO Billy Carroll. “The entrepreneurial energy in Chattanooga is amazing, and we want our organization to complement and enhance the community’s great work. With Stefanie’s background, not only in banking, but through her extensive involvement in community efforts spanning the arts, education, social services and economic development, she was a natural “fit” for our organization’s vision and drive.”
Ms. Crowe is a seasoned banking veteran with more than 20 years’ experience. She obtained her BA from The University of Notre Dame and her MBA from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her resume includes roles in private banking, trust and wealth management, cash management, marketing, communications, investor and government relations, corporate philanthropy and strategic planning.
Ms. Crowe has served on numerous boards in Chattanooga, including The United Way of Greater Chattanooga, Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, The Women’s Fund, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Chattanooga Ballet, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, The Fortwood Center (Helen Ross McNabb), The Houston Museum and the Southern Lit Alliance. She’s served on numerous committees to support events and fundraising efforts for organizations like ArtsBuild, Siskin Children’s Institute, The Heart Association and Chattanooga State Foundation. She is a member of Chattanooga Downtown Rotary and in 2009 was named a Chattanooga Woman of Distinction.
Ms. Crowe is a frequent presenter on topics related to wealth-building, entrepreneurship, leadership and community-building. She is co-founder and chief advisor to The Jump Fund, an angel capital fund investing in female-led start-ups. Most recently, she co-chaired Girls Preparatory School’s first inaugural event spotlighting Entrepreneurship for Women and Girls, entitled Mad, Bad & Dangerous.
Ms. Crowe states: “My life’s mission is to help women and girls realize their fullest potential in business, in government, in non-profits and at home. Families and communities can only flourish when women are able to ‘monetize their value’ and engage proactively in efforts to systematically build their wealth. My dream is for Chattanooga to build such a vibrant ecosystem for female entrepreneurs to nest and scale their companies that the Wall Street Journal one day features a front-page headline inquiring ‘What’s In the Water in Chattanooga?’”