Banking on Leadership: Patty Mongold Honored as UAF Business Leader of the Year By: Adeline Berry

Each year, the UAF College of Business and Security Management honors a local leader who not only drives meaningful progress but also inspires those around them. In 2025, that leader is Patty Mongold, from Mt. McKinley Bank.

The UAF Business Leader of the Year award is based on four pillars: leadership, business expertise, community involvement, and educational support. Honorees are selected by a committee made up of students, faculty, alumni, members of the CBSM advisory council, and past recipients of the award, making it one of the most prestigious recognitions in the state.

Patty Mongold’s career began behind the teller window. Today, 49 years later, she serves as CEO and board chair of Mt. McKinley Bank. But the titles don’t tell the whole story. What defines Patty is the impact she’s made across boardrooms, classrooms, basketball courts, and throughout the Fairbanks community.

(Left to right) Felicia Tapp, CBSM student; Patty Mongold, Mt. McKinley; Marcelo Ketzler-Lopez, CBSM MBA student

Leadership & Business

Patty joined Mt. McKinley Bank in 1976 and has played a significant role in shaping its success. She’s helped guide the bank through decades of steady growth, building its reputation as a strong, community-focused institution. Her work in strategic planning, investment oversight, and regulatory leadership has contributed to the bank’s stability and strengthened its community connections.

“Patty Mongold’s leadership reaches far beyond banking. She has been a driving force behind Mt. McKinley Bank’s commitment to supporting local nonprofits and strengthening the Fairbanks community. In an industry traditionally dominated by men at the management level, Patty has broken barriers through her dedication, vision, and service. She is a truly deserving choice for the 2025 UAF Business Leader of the Year - Andy Warwick, retired CPA and 2015 Business Leader of the Year recipient.”

Celebrating teamwork and collaboration at a recent gathering, where ideas and experiences were shared among this dedicated group of professionals.

Community

Patty’s leadership has extended beyond the walls of the bank.

Member, City of Fairbanks Permanent Fund Review Board
Board Member, Fairbanks Pioneer Home Foundation & Fairbanks Symphony Association
Former board member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fairbanks; former President and longtime board member, Carol H. Brice Family Center & Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption
Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction (2013)
Speaker, Elevate Leadership Conference

This is just a short list of Patty’s local leadership roles. Nationally, Patty has served on both the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.

“I was lucky enough to have our professional paths cross when Patty and I served together on the board of the Carol H. Brice Family Center. I believe it’s her quiet, steadfast, 'roll-up-the-sleeves' demeanor that earns the respect of her team at Mt. McKinley Bank and helps drive the bank’s financial success. Despite her career achievements and community impact, Patty remains extremely humble."- R. Todd Henderson, VP of Finance, Calista Brice LLC

(Left) Companions Inc. has been providing pet therapy support to many places in Fairbanks for almost 40 years. Some of the places you’ll find us are Denali Center, the Pioneer’s Home, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, at various Health Fairs in town, the NorthStar Council on Aging (aka the Senior Center), the University of Alaska and more. (Right) Recognizing outstanding contributions, Patty Mongold receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Companions Inc. for her commitment to community service.

Patty is a consistent advocate for education. She has championed partnerships with the UAF College of Business and Security Management, including hands-on collaborations with CBSM’s marketing class. Under her leadership, the bank has approved more than $22,000 in tuition reimbursements for employees enrolled in UAF courses. She has also encouraged participation in the Alaska 529 college savings program and supported education-focused events like the Arctic Innovation Competition. Over a dozen Mt. McKinley Bank employees have completed Leadership Fairbanks, and several others have attended the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Her belief in supporting students extends to sports as well. Mt. McKinley Bank has been the title sponsor of the North Star Invitational Basketball Tournament for over 20 years, helping bring the community together while promoting athletics.

Surrounded by family and sunshine, the Mongold family is creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Outside of her professional life, Patty is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and her husband, David, have been married since 1975 and raised their family in Fairbanks. Their two daughters, Stacia Mongold and Christina Sprouse, continue to call Fairbanks home with their own families. Patty and David cherish spending time with their children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Patty plans to retire next year, closing a remarkable chapter of service, leadership, and impact. Her legacy isn’t just in the growth of a bank or the roles she held. It lives on in the people she’s mentored, the community she’s uplifted, and the path she has paved for future leaders in Alaska.

The UAF College of Business and Security Management will honor Patty as the 47th Business Leader of the Year on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Tickets for this event will go on sale in August. To reserve tickets, a table, or a sponsorship in advance, contact the CBSM Engagement Manager, Paige Best, at pmbest@alaska.edu or 907-474-6518.