Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Beneficial State Bank welcomes Shamara van der Voort as its new Chief Operating Officer
May 08, 2025
Shamara van der Voort joins the bank with almost 30 years of award-winning operations and customer service experience
OAKLAND, Calif., May 5, 2025 – Beneficial State Bank, a mission-driven community bank serving California, Oregon, and Washington, has appointed Shamara "Sham" van der Voort as its new Chief Operating Officer. In this executive leadership role, van der Voort will oversee core operational and customer care functions. Based in Santa Cruz, California, she brings nearly 30 years of banking experience, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for West Coast Community Bank.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Sham van der Voort as our new Chief Operating Officer,” said Randell Leach, CEO of Beneficial State Bank. “Her deep operational expertise and strong commitment to community values make her a perfect fit for our mission-driven approach. Sham’s leadership will play a key role in optimizing our operations and enhancing the experience for our customers, all while helping us further our vision of a banking system that works for people and the planet.”
Van der Voort began her career in community banking, starting as a teller and advancing through various roles to her most recent position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for West Coast Community Bank. Her industry leadership has been widely recognized — she was named one of the "Most-Powerful Women in Banking Teams" by American Banker in 2023, and in 2024, she and members of her team were recognized as "Trailblazers" by Independent Banker Magazine.
A dedicated community advocate, van der Voort currently serves on the boards of the United Way of Santa Cruz and the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz, and is an active Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Scotts Valley. She earned her BA in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix while working full-time.
"I am honored to join Beneficial State Bank as Chief Operating Officer," said van der Voort. "Throughout my career, I've seen how community banks can serve as engines of positive change. I look forward to contributing to Beneficial State's unique model of banking that prioritizes people, planet, and prosperity for all, while driving operational excellence across the organization."
Beneficial State Bank (Beneficial State) is a state-chartered, federally insured bank with branches in California, Oregon, and Washington. Beneficial State serves the triple bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity for all, which involves serving its communities, supporting positive environmental outcomes, and achieving long-term financial sustainability. A unique ownership structure supports these strategic priorities: the bank’s capital is majority-owned by the nonprofit Beneficial State Foundation. This means its economic rights are fully aligned with, and permanently governed in, the public interest.
Beneficial State Bank is a founding signatory of the UN’s Principles for Responsible Banking, a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Fossil Free Certified, and one of the world’s top-rated Certified B Corporations.
Media Contact:
EMC Communications
BSBPress@EMCCommunications.com
(650) 455-9928
Choose a Bank that Invests in Tomorrow
Beneficial State Bank serves the triple-bottom-line of people, planet, and prosperity for all. That means prioritizing social justice and environmental sustainability. Our clients want to see their money put to good use – funding causes that defend our planet and build resiliency in our communities. Change your bank and help change the world.
Spotlight on News and Announcements
A better banking system is possible. We tell our story to celebrate our success, share our learnings, and collaborate with others.
