Chamber Insider Blog

Thank you Monica Tressler of Sandy Spring Bank for being a spotlight for Women’s History Month!

Where were you born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun?

I am a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, born and raised in Great Falls, VA, and have been a resident of Loudoun County since 2003.  With the vast growth happening in Loudoun, we knew we wanted to get in early, plant some roots, and were excited for the prospect of raising a family in this great community.  We have truly found our home, we enjoy working (and playing) in Loudoun and we love raising our three boys here.

Tell us about your business/nonprofit, and how long you’ve been in your industry. 

Sandy Spring Bank is a full financial services bank, locally headquartered in the Greater Washington D.C. region, with several financial centers serving the Loudoun community, with our newest office recently opened in One Loudoun. Sandy Spring Bank serves the full spectrum of business and individual clients through personal service and comprehensive financial solutions.

For more than 155 years, we have advocated for our clients, helped them manage their money wisely, and operated our company with integrity. The deposits that come into our bank are redirected into the local community through a dedicated lending and investment strategy focused on stimulating local economies, creating jobs, and making our communities stronger.

Our focus is to provide every client with a talented local banking relationship team that provides exceptional personalized service. We invest in our people and technology to provide long-term solutions for the businesses and individuals we serve. We deliver seamlessly with speed and convenience so our clients can bank how, when, and where they choose.

I have been in the financial services industry for over 17 years, in various positions: Retail and Commercial Real Estate Lending, and the majority of my career spent in Treasury Management, with a strong focus in Commercial Banking. I am committed to serving my community and giving back.  I put my customers first, always leading with a “value add” approach, making valuable connections, and working closely with my clients to help them attain their financial goals.

How did you get into this line of work?

I have a long line of Bankers in the family going back three generations.  I never thought that would be my path, but here I am.  First and foremost, I understand the importance of relationships.  To me, that is the key to successful banking.

Have you had any special mentors or inspirations that guided your career? 

I have been fortunate to have many mentors (formally and informally) over the years, and several who are truly best in the business.  These individuals collectively have shaped my development and accelerated my career growth. Most impactful to me has been their trusted guidance on resilience, providing strategies to overcome obstacles, providing invaluable insights, and helping me to exploit my strengths, and lead from my heart (and mind) to unlock my full potential.

What is the best part of your job and why?

The most rewarding part of my job is helping my clients make some of the most important decisions of their lives, such as saving for college, purchasing a home, and planning for their business and retirement needs.  I love supporting their growth needs, providing solutions to solve their current challenges, and helping them plan for their future.

My favorite part of Management is mentoring my team, helping them to discover and unlock their inner superpower, aiding them in achieving their personal and professional goals, and helping them to meet their full potential.  When they thrive, we all thrive!

What is it like doing business in Loudoun/Northern Virginia?

Doing business in Loudoun over the last 17 years has been a humbling and very rewarding experience. I enjoy the amount of collaboration that goes on between business leaders, nonprofit organizations, local government, and community members.  It’s a remarkable group of individuals who are dedicated and leverage their talents, education, and experience, to make Loudoun truly the best place to live, work and play.

The nonprofit community has always held a special place in my heart,  and I love serving alongside my fellow 100 Women Strong members, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Board and members, and supporting many other local nonprofits in pushing their mission forward, to help people and communities. We have a very unique community here in Loudoun, and I am honored to be a small part of it.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It is an opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments of women, how far we have come, where we are going, and to inspire continued growth and drive positive change. Onward and upward!

Favorite things to do when you are not working?

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, engaging in community projects, visiting local wineries and breweries, and raising Monarch butterflies on our property with my three sons.