SALEM, Ore., April 2, 2024 – The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) Education Foundation and Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS) are pleased to announce Amber J. White as the recipient of the 2024 Rise Above the Rest™ Scholarship. White, a certified public accountant and executive vice president and chief financial officer of Oregon Pacific Bank in Eugene, has been awarded the multi-year scholarship aimed at advancing education for high-potential employees in the banking industry. The scholarship is a tuition offset awarded in increments over the course of the three-year school.
White graduated Cum Laude from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She joined Oregon Pacific Bank in 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience from prior roles in both banking and public accounting.
White contributes to the OBA in many forms and currently serves on the board of directors of OBA’s subsidiary, Synergy by Association, where she was recently appointed secretary-treasurer. She is an active member and former chair of OBA’s Finance and Accounting Committee and received OBA’s Presidential Award in 2021 for her outstanding leadership within the group. She is a frequent guest speaker at OBA Education Foundation-hosted student-banker roundtables and has testified before the Oregon state legislature on behalf of the banking industry.
“Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity it presents,” says White. “It underscores the importance of ongoing learning in our dynamic industry. I am eager to utilize this continued education to strengthen both my practical skills and leadership capabilities, thereby serving my colleagues and community to the best of my ability at Oregon Pacific Bank. This opportunity is not just about personal growth but also about contributing positively to the growth and success of our institution and the individuals we serve.”
“Amber has distinguished herself at Oregon Pacific Bank through her exceptional blend of critical thinking, compassion for staff, superior leadership and expert-level finance acumen,” said Oregon Pacific Bank President and CEO Ron Green. “As a past PCBS graduate, I am confident that the program will further enhance Amber’s experience and knowledge, preparing her for the next level in her career.”
White will commence her enrollment in the three-year PCBS program in August, beginning with an intensive two-week resident session on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Established in 1938, PCBS provides graduate-level financial and risk management education alongside robust leadership training. Graduates of PCBS earn a graduate-level certificate in the Business of Banking and an Executive Leadership Certificate from the prestigious Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. With over 12,000 alumni, including hundreds in leadership positions within financial institutions, PCBS stands as a renowned institution in the banking sector.
About the OBA Education Foundation
Founded by the Oregon Bankers Association in 2013, the OBA Education Foundation envisions a vibrant banking and business community that attracts the best talent and empowers all Oregonians to be financially educated and secure. It does so by enhancing educational opportunities in financial literacy, banking, finance, and business. For more information or to lend support to the Foundation, visit www.OBAEdFoundation.org.
