22 · SBJ.NET MARCH 6-12, 2023 40 UNDER 40 In May 2022, Kelsea Suarez graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in business. Because it was a 10-year effort, she says she felt like she was dreaming when she became one of the first classes to walk across the stage at the newly renamed Great Southern Bank Arena. The financial institution had helped carve her career path. Starting in banking services, Suarez, 32, quickly worked her way through the retail side before moving into the role of marketing project coordinator. She’s helped streamline workflow and establish project management practices, including designing and implementing the system that was adopted as an enterprise solution by multiple teams across the bank. Best productivity hack? I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, so my go-to routine consists of taking my medicine, caffeinating, listening to an energizing playlist and using an Erin Condren LifePlanner. However, my husband would argue all of this is useless if I don’t lay my clothes out the night before. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My best friend, Jennifer, once shared with me not to worry about something before it happens because it means that I’m living through it twice. What historical figure do you identify with most? Either Carrie Fisher or Bea Arthur. Favorite food item or drink to order in the Springfield area? Anything from Leong’s Asian Diner is amazing! —Nicole Chilton, Contributing Writer KELSEA SUAREZ Great Southern Bank MATTHEW B. SUAREZ Central Trust Co. When Central Trust Co. was looking for someone to lead a software conversion, they sought out Matthew B. Suarez. The task: train 120 staffers across seven offices in two states. The 35-year-old portfolio manager was all in, creating virtual training and videos, and visiting each office. Earlier this year, he co-founded an internal job shadowing program with the goal of bridging the gap between employees of Central Trust and Central Bank. “Despite being under the same holding company, there has always been a disconnect between the two departments that has made referrals and career advancement difficult,” Suarez says. The solution: an immersive day for bank employees to spend time with the trust team to learn their roles. Suarez counts it a win – a Central Trust job posting was filled by an internal bank employee who went through the program. Civically, Suarez is president of the Christian County Library Board and president-elect of Rotary Club of Springfield Downtown. Best productivity hack? Putting an “I’m on a Zoom call” sign on your office door, even if you’re not. Favorite TV show/podcast/book? “Community”/Daily Dad/“A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens. Favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? Tortellini gorgonzola from Bambino’s. —Eric Olson, Editorial Vice President Carly Taft was a key player in the monumental name change to FORVIS, following Springfield-based BKD’s merger that created a $1.5 billion national accounting firm. “Rebranding a nearly 100-year-old company was no small feat, especially when everyone in the Springfield community knew about BKD,” says the 34-year-old marketing and business development manager. “It was important that our clients and the community knew that our values and services were not changing just because we had a new name.” Her efforts, which she says are her proudest professional accomplishment, involved planned ribbon-cuttings, open houses, sponsored events and the detailed work of changing every place that listed the name BKD. As a new resident of Springfield six years ago, Taft quickly got involved in civic affairs, joining The Network for young professionals and the Association of Women in Communications, for which she served as chapter president. She most recently joined the board for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Your first job? A Sonic carhop, and no, I couldn’t roller skate Best productivity hack? Task batching. Group similar tasks to complete at the same time instead of forcing your brain to switch projects several times throughout the day. Favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? Whipped chevre at Vineyard Market. —Eric Olson, Editorial Vice President CARLY TAFT FORVIS LLP As the COVID-19 pandemic set in, Kayla Thomas found herself in arguably one of the hardest impacted career fields outside of medicine – human resources. Sick leave, policy changes and worker shortages were suddenly her day-to-day. But the 27-year-old human resources adviser embraced the challenge. “The pandemic sparked a fire in me I would have never seen coming,” she says. Thomas volunteered for The Payroll Co.’s COVID-19 Task Force, which meant extra work hours, consistently reading the new bills and the latest news. When two team members resigned due to pandemic stress, Thomas once again stepped up, doubling her client load overnight. “I decided to use this challenge as an opportunity to lead my team to success,” she says. “We grew our client list by almost 50% in the next year while we were understaffed.” In May 2022, she added a new endeavor and began working as an adjunct professor at Pittsburg State University. Your proudest moment? Becoming a mama to my baby boy, Tucker, and all my future children. Best productivity hack? Keep your email inbox organized at all times and remember you can create a folder for everything. Favorite hobby or creative outlet? DIY home improvement projects and gardening. Favorite food item or drink to order in the Springfield area? The Kollmeyer Filet at Retro Metro. —Emily Letterman, Contributing Writer KAYLA THOMAS The Payroll Co. HEATHER MOSLEY
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