PCBS STAFF

Joan Reukauf is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Coast Banking School. With more than 30 years of experience in banking—including serving as CEO of an Oregon-based community bank—Joan has held senior leadership roles spanning IT, bank and branch operations, human resources, treasury management, and marketing.

Before joining PCBS, Joan brought her passion for leadership development into the classroom, teaching leadership programs for the American Bankers Association and serving as an instructor for the capstone course in Willamette University’s MBA for Professionals program. She joined PCBS in 2019 as a LeaderSim instructor and later stepped into her current leadership role.

Joan holds a BA in Marketing from Boise State University and an MBA from Willamette University, and she is also a proud member of the PCBS Class of 2006.

Kathryn Thompson serves as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Pacific Coast Banking School, leading student recruitment, business development, and strategic communications with special interest groups and banking organizations.

A seasoned marketing and sales professional, Kathryn brings more than 30 years of experience and a strong track record of building partnerships and driving growth. Prior to joining PCBS, she spent over 16 years with Argosy Cruises as Director of Sales and Marketing. Her work has long focused on the financial services and banking industry, where she has built trusted relationships across the sector.

Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Oregon State University.

Jenene Szuch serves as Chief Operating Officer for Pacific Coast Banking School, working closely with faculty and University of Washington partners to coordinate session logistics and support smooth program delivery.

Jenene brings more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, including nine years in education. Prior to joining PCBS, she served as Special Projects Manager at Shoreline Community College and as Executive Director at Edmonds Community College. As a former CEO of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, she also brings strong expertise in business and workforce development, event planning, and fiscal management, along with service on multiple nonprofit boards.

Jenene earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Western Washington University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Leadership at City University.

Barbara Nowak serves as Vice President of Student Management for Pacific Coast Banking School, supporting students and faculty throughout their PCBS experience through ongoing communication, coordination, and guidance.

Barbara brings more than nine years of experience in education, along with extensive event-planning experience through local charities and nonprofit organizations. As a board member and project manager for youth and senior groups, she is passionate about community building, business development, and meeting the needs of the people she serves.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications, with a minor in Political Science. Barbara is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology, with an emphasis on adult learning.

Jessica Anderson is Vice President of Program Development for Pacific Coast Banking School and coordinates session logistics to support a seamless student and faculty experience. She is a creative, multi-talented marketing and project coordination professional with expertise in event planning, business operations, and vendor management.

Before joining PCBS, Jessica owned and operated a successful e-commerce B2B/B2C business for 12 years, leading sales, marketing, website development, and customer service. She holds a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and graduated cum laude from the University of Washington.

Outside of work, Jessica is a Master Gardener and enjoys spending time in her garden.

Jake Uttich serves as the Technical and Program Support Coordinator for Pacific Coast Banking School. In this role, he supports program delivery by coordinating logistics, managing technical systems, and providing key support to students and faculty to ensure a smooth, successful learning experience.

Jake brings a well-rounded background in program coordination, operational support, and technology integration. Prior to joining PCBS, he worked in community program management and outreach, helping develop innovative solutions to meet organizational needs.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida and is passionate about improving efficiency and supporting leadership development.

Wendy Tupper is the Registrar and Office Administrator at Pacific Coast Banking School. She brings more than two decades of progressive administrative experience to the role, with a background spanning the staffing and health care sectors. Throughout her career, Wendy has developed a strong foundation in operational excellence, cross-departmental collaboration, and high-level customer service delivery.

Wendy leverages her extensive administrative expertise—paired with a degree in Interior Design that strengthens her precision, organization, and attention to detail—to support the School’s academic operations, student records management, and overall institutional effectiveness. She is dedicated to enhancing internal processes and ensuring an exceptional experience for students, faculty, and institutional partners.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Wendy enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, and pursuing her passion for cooking.