Valerie Shaw

Valerie retired from a 36-year banking career at Commerce Bank in June 2016. She served as the executive vice president and retail director for Commerce Bank. In this capacity, she oversaw the retail sales, service and operations for 14 branches in the Central Missouri Region (in the Missouri counties of Boone, Moniteau, Audrain, Randolph and Marion). Valerie was also responsible for branch security, facility management and 17 ATMs. Prior to her move to Columbia, she worked at Commerce Bank in Hannibal, Missouri, from 1980 to 1990.

Valerie earned a Master of Business Administration from Williams Woods University in 2003 and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Stephens College in 2000. As a non-traditional student, she worked full time while working toward her degrees at both Stephens and William Woods.

Her volunteer activities include treasurer, Columbia Branch of the NAACP; treasurer, Second Missionary Baptist Church; member (president 2019-20), Columbia Kiwanis Club; member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; charter member and past treasurer, and Central Missouri Chapter of The Links, Inc.; Financial Secretary. She also has assisted with numerous committees for school bond issues, selection committee for the Battle High School site selection, Bias Free Columbia Committee, and several sewer bond issue committees, among others.

Valerie has received numerous distinguished awards, including the 2017 George F. Hixson Fellowship award from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, the Keeper of the Flame 2016 President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service from Columbia NAACP, the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Association, the 2013 President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, and the 2010 Professional Excellence Award from the Columbia Daily Tribune.

She has two sons, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Valerie enjoys traveling, watching Missouri Men’s Basketball, spending time with family and friends, and public service volunteer work. She has a passion for traveling and has visited Ghana, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, China and England, to name only a few.