Dec. 31, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Cassie Hopper, vice president retail banking manager at Plains Commerce Bank.

Name: Cassie Hopper

Age: 35

Hometown: Brookings

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

What brought me to Sioux Falls was a mix of personal and professional factors. First and foremost, the city offers a fantastic quality of life — there’s a great variety of activities for my family and events for my kids to enjoy. I love how family-friendly this city is. It’s a place where my children can grow up surrounded by nature and fun, while I can also pursue my career ambitions in a city that’s expanding and full of potential. Sioux Falls truly offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant career environment and a lifestyle that supports family and well-being.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The deep sense of community and the opportunity to contribute to its growth. I’m passionate about volunteering and being involved in the local initiatives that make this city thrive. Sioux Falls is evolving, and I love being part of that change, especially in how the city’s development creates new opportunities for everyone. Professionally, I’m fortunate to work in banking, where I can directly support customers in the metro area, helping them with their financial needs as the city continues to grow. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a community where I can both give back and play a role in helping others achieve their financial goals. Plus, the diverse food scene in Sioux Falls is impeccable!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love being part of a team that fosters growth and innovation in a dynamic industry, especially one that still stays so true to a sense of family and community. Every day we are given the opportunity to create meaningful relationships with our businesses and customers, helping them grow financially.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I got connected to the banking industry over 12 years ago when I started as a teller. At the time, I didn’t realize how much I would grow to love the field. As I gained more experience, I became passionate about how banking can truly make a difference in people’s lives, from helping customers manage their finances to supporting businesses as they grow. Since then, I’ve made it a point to continuously absorb as much knowledge as I can about finance and banking. Now, in my role, I’m focused on sharing that knowledge with my team, helping them develop a similar passion and creating an environment where we can all grow together.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Supportive, collaborative, empowering.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

Something people might be surprised to learn about me is that I’m absolutely obsessed with cooking and baking. I love diving into different culinary scenes, experimenting with new recipes and discovering unique flavors. It’s a creative outlet for me that allows me to unwind and express myself outside of work, and I’m always excited to try something new in the kitchen. I’ve recently started getting my 2-year-old invested in cooking and baking, and my 11-year-old is also highly skilled in the kitchen!

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

My favorite way to give back to the community is by volunteering and supporting organizations that help those who need a hand up, just as my family did when I was growing up. I understand firsthand how valuable it is to have support during tough times, and I feel it’s important to pay that forward. Whether it’s through mentoring, donating my time or getting involved in local initiatives, I try to make a positive impact in ways that help others find opportunities and feel supported.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

If I could wave a magic wand, I’d make Sioux Falls the next big hot spot for some seriously fun shopping and snacking — bring on a Trader Joe’s for all those quirky snacks and an IKEA for my future dreams of a perfectly furnished living room! I know it’s a popular opinion!

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

Not that I have thought about this forever, but — I would create a multifunctional event center that could host everything from community events and weddings to corporate gatherings. The space would be designed to bring people together, fostering a sense of connection and collaboration within the community. As part of the project, I’d love to add a personal touch by launching a sourdough- and coffee-focused food truck as a passion project. It would offer a unique, cozy experience for people at events or around town, combining my love for cooking and baking with my desire to share good food and great company.