NICHOL BECKSTRAND, CPA, CRCM is the President of Sunrise Banks in Saint Paul, MN. In her current position, Nichol oversees the bank and Holding Company operations and sales both locally and nationally. During her time at Sunrise, Nichol has led the institution through consolidation from a multi-holding company organization with multi- bank charters to one consolidated holding company and bank charter. She has also led the Sunrise team in multiple merger and acquisition transactions as well as an entry in new business lines such as prepaid cards, tax products, New Markets Tax Credit lending and small dollar lending. Prior to joining Sunrise Banks, Nichol spent 10 years at Larson Allen Weishair & Co., LLP (currently CliftonLarsonAllen) where she was a Principal in the Financial Institutions Group with experience as both an internal and external auditor. During her tenure at Larson Allen, Nichol was involved in a variety of financial institution engagements including certified audits, directors’ examinations, internal audit and compliance services, and other consulting engagements. Her emphasis was in providing regulatory compliance testing and training to community banks. Nichol has instructed various ACH trainings, compliance, risk management, and internal audit trainings for the Independent Community Bankers Association of America, Virginia Community Bankers Association, Minnesota Bankers Association, Community Bankers of Indiana, Iowa Independent Bankers, as well as many individual client-training conferences. Nichol has also facilitated a regional compliance committee for bank compliance officers looking for an outlet to discuss current compliance topics and challenges.

Nichol is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management with a BS in Accounting and a Certified Public Accountant. She is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. Nichol is a graduate of the ABA National School of Compliance and the ABA Graduate School of Compliance Management. Nichol has held positions as a Board member of Financial Women International and a member of the Accounting Careers committee of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Nichol is a current Board member for Habitat for Humanity MN and The Family Housing Fund. Nichol’s awards include Twin Cities Business Journal “40 under 40” (2010), Finance & Commerce “Top Women in Finance” (2014), Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal “Women in Business” (2015) and most recently NW Financial Review “Outstanding Women in Banking” (2016). Paybefore’s “Smartest People in Prepaid” (2016).