Feature Stories
Laurie Finney Beard, '81
Laurie Finney Beard grew up in central Illinois and earned her
undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance at Millikin University.
After working as a bank examiner for the Federal Government in
Chicago, she later moved to Michigan, where she earned her Master of
Business Administration from Grand Valley State University in 1981.
After a few years as an investment broker, she joined forces with
other local businessmen who had the vision to create a new local
bank. Beard became instrumental in the formation and successful
capitalization of Founders Bank & Trust, a privately held
community bank in Grand Rapids MI. As a founder of the bank in 1991,
her first role as Senior Vice President was to create the Wealth
Management Department. Beard was promoted to President & CEO of
the bank in 2001.
Under her leadership, the organization has become one of the best
performing banks in Michigan. Founders Bank & Trust is the only
bank headquartered in West Michigan with a Five Star (Superior) rating
from Bauer Financial, an independent bank rating agency. During her
tenure, the bank’s total assets have tripled, to $450 million, with
four branches and 100 employees. As to national recognition, Beard
serves on the Community Bankers Council of the American Bankers
Association, which is comprised of two bankers selected from each state.
Deeply committed to her community, Beard serves as trustee of the
Grand Rapids Community Foundation. She is also a member of Grand
Valley’s Foundation board and the GVSU Women’s Advisory Board. In
addition, she is a member of the GVSU Seidman School of Business
Dean’s Advisory Board as well as the Advisory Board for the Vice
Provost for Health. She volunteers for Gift of Life, and along with
the Secretary of State, Beard promoted April 2010 as “Donate Life”
month, in memory of her son, Paul. Beard was recently appointed as a
board member for the Transplant Games of America, a national
multi-sport festival event to help promote the need for Organ &
Tissue donation.
Her focus on the community has earned her recognition as one of
Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential Women, as Seidman
School of Business Alumnus of the Year, and as one of the Top Women in
Finance in West Michigan.
Beard is a baseball enthusiast, and a lifelong, eternally
optimistic Chicago Cubs fan. She resides in Cascade Township. Her
son, Jeremy, daughter-in-law Beth, and her granddaughter Stella live
in Chicago.
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