Meet Ashley Yates, a Coeur d'Alene mom, bank branch manager and secretary of the Kootenai County Young Professionals.

Tell us about yourself.

Generation: Now that we finally have an accepted definition of millennial, thanks to Pew Research Center, I’m a millennial (age 23 to 38 in 2019).

Career and community involvement: I am blessed to say I am a vice president branch manager for Columbia Bank in Coeur d'Alene. The community is important to me, so currently I serve on a few boards: Tesh, Inc., a local nonprofit that helps those with disabilities achieve greater independence; Kootenai County Young Professionals, a nonprofit organization that connects young professionals in our area; I just graduated from the Coeur d'Alene Chamber leadership program; and, because I would hate to be bored, I also serve on my daughter's school PTA.

Parental status: Three kiddos (8, 4, 1½). Two by birth and one by heart.

1. What do you think makes a true leader?

I believe a true leader is someone who excites and motivates people to grow within themselves.

2. What qualities do you admire most in a person, and why?

Respectful honesty and authenticity. I admire those who are always willing to say what needs to be said, but say it with respect.

3. What pointers do you have for people who want to be smarter with their finances?

Know where your money is. We no longer live in a time when people sit down and balance their checkbook monthly. It can lead to being blindsided by your finances. Know how your money comes in and when and where it leaves.

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I think it surprises people to hear how shy I was in my youth. Joining debate and speech in high school really helped me build confidence to speak up.

5. If you could spend a day with any cartoon character, who would it be?

It would have to be Ariel from "The Little Mermaid." That was the movie for me growing up on repeat.

- • •

Devin Weeks can be reached by email: [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @DevinCDAPress