South Sound CFMA December Chapter Meeting & Breakfast

Life Is Good Until It’s Not…Learnings From Having Your Life Turned Upside Down in a Second.

Join WaFd Bank CEO Brent Beardall for an inspiring talk on leadership, resilience, and the importance of not taking anything for granted. In 2023 Brent survived a near-fatal plane crash that reshaped how he looks at life. Through his story he encourages leaders to define their own paths, embrace vulnerability, and foster personal connections within professional settings.

Event Details:

When: December 12th, 2024 | 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

7:00 Check-in | 7:30 Breakfast Buffet | 8:00-9:00 Program

Where: Tacoma Golf and Country Club, 13204 Country Club Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Participants will be eligible for 1 hour of CPE credit for attending this event

Brent Beardall is Vice-Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of WaFd Bank, a Washington state chartered commercial bank headquartered in Seattle, Washington (NASDAQ: WAFD).  WaFd Bank is the largest bank headquartered in Washington State with over $22 billion in assets and 200 offices located in eight western states.  In 2023 WaFd Bank was recognized as the best bank in four of its eight states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and New Mexico) by Newsweek. 

Mr. Beardall joined WaFd Bank in 2001 as Vice President & Controller. In 2003 he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer, a position he served in for eleven years. Prior to this he served as Chief Banking Officer where he was responsible for all client-facing activities of the bank. He was awarded the title of President & CEO in 2017, becoming only the sixth CEO in the bank’s 105-year history. 

In 2018 WaFd undertook a bold initiative “Vision 2025” to transform into a “digital first bank,” with the vision of having a real time understanding of clients’ financial health, anticipating their needs, and helping them make better financial decisions.  His simple ask of all employees is to “love what they do and make a difference.”  Currently, WaFd has a net promoter score of 57, a strong indication they are turning clients into net promoters.

Mr. Beardall received a master’s degree in Professional Accounting from Brigham Young University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Washington State.  He completed Stanford University's Executive Program in August 2013.  In 2012 he was recognized as “CFO of the year” by the Puget Sound Business Journal and currently serves on the boards of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, United Way King County, Pacific Coast Banking School, Washington Round Table, the Washington Bankers Association, and the American Bankers Association. Mr. Beardall lives in Sammamish, Washington and is the proud father of three adult children.