Shamara van der Voort

Shamara “Sham” van der Voort is an accomplished executive with nearly 30 years of experience in Branch and back-office Operations, Customer Service Management, Sales and Treasury/Cash Management Services, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Project, Vendor Management, System Conversions, and M&A. Her expertise centers on revamping organizations to drive efficiency, creating metrics and reporting structures to measure efficacy and functions, developing strategic initiatives, and strengthening relationships with local businesses and communities. 

Sham grew up in community banking, starting as a teller and moving up through various roles to her most recent position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for West Coast Community Bank. She encourages growth and development, loves coaching and mentoring, and has helped build several high-performing operations teams over the years. Sham was also recently named one of the “Most-Powerful Women in Banking Teams” by American Banker publication in 2023, and in 2024, Sham, along with a few members of her team, was recognized as “Trailblazers” by Independent Banker Magazine.  

While working full-time, Sham attended the University of Phoenix, earning her BA in Business Administration.

Sham strongly believes in community involvement and currently sits on the Board of Directors for United Way of Santa Cruz, and on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz, where she is the Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee. Sham is also a Rotarian for the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley.

When not working, Sham enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and 100-pound German Shepherd, camping, hiking, cooking, and exploring the wonderful redwood forests and ocean beaches near their home in the Santa Cruz mountains.