We are excited to share the news of our very own Susie Colombo as the 2017 Award of Merit recipient and the Walla Walla Valley’s Woman of the Year as recognized by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce at their 135th Annual Awards Banquet on Wednesday, December 6th, 2017. At the event, Susie was surrounded by many friends, family, and coworkers, who were there to enthusiastically celebrate this incredible accomplishment.

In her introduction speech at the Chamber Banquet, Michelle Conner highlighted many of Susie’s accomplishments through volunteering, work, and her family, commenting, “We are all so very fortunate she calls Walla Walla her home and is making our world, and the world, a better place. I am honored to know her and to have the privilege to call her my friend.”

Susie Colombo pictured with her husband Russ and two children, Riley and Anna.

Susie is a Vice President and Family Advisor at Baker Boyer in Walla Walla, with over three decades of experience with the bank. She has completed Leadership Walla Walla, is a graduate of Walla Walla Community College, American Institute of Banking, Northwest Intermediate Banking School and holds a Certificated Wealth Strategist® designation from Cannon Financial Institute.

Susie has lived in Walla Walla Valley for most of her life and has dedicated much of her time serving the Walla Walla community. Over the past 35 years, she has been an active participant and generous member of the Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club and Providence St. Mary Foundation. Not only has she given her time volunteering for numerous events with the Downtown Foundation, Providence St Mary Golf Tournament, the Ducky Derby, the YMCA’s Youth Sustainability Campaign, Community Council, and Walla Walla Public Schools, she has chaired several committees and led the charge in achieving remarkable success for all of them. Susie’s current passion is helping the Special Care Nursery at the Family Birth Center, a recent addition to the offerings at Providence St Mary. You can learn more about it at https://washington.providence.org/donate/providence-st-mary-foundation/funding-areas/family-birth-center/

Professional accomplishments aren’t the only admirable pursuits in Susie’s life. Always making time for her loved ones, she delights in her time spent with her two children, husband, family and friends, and enjoys playing golf, biking, reading, and traveling.

“This is a significant and well-deserved honor for Susie based on her years of service to the Walla Walla community. She is a shining example to all of us for the impact giving back can make on our community,” commented Mark Kajita, President, and CEO of Baker Boyer.

Please help us in congratulating her when you see her and thank her for helping make Walla Walla the best it can be. We are so proud of you Susie!

You can also read the Union-Bulletin write up to learn more about the other winners of the 2017 Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet.