Get to Know Catherine Landrum: Continuous Improver

Although Catherine Landrum spent much of her childhood in the pool as an All-American swimmer, and later in the gym as a Division 1 volleyball player, her true love was always the outdoors. At age 7, she begrudgingly gave up hot chocolate by the fireplace to trek 10 miles to the top of Glacier National Park, where a snowstorm was raging. But the view from the top was spectacular, and she was hooked.

Despite its overwhelming challenges, the pandemic gave Catherine and her husband the opportunity to share their love of outdoor adventures with their two daughters – including camping, hiking, and overlanding in locations ranging from Big Bend National Park in Texas to the Rainbow Trail in Colorado. When packing up, Catherine always tells the girls to "leave the place (e.g., campsite) better than you found it" – a mantra she strives to live by in all parts of her life.  

Since the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act, risk and compliance professionals have had increased opportunity to leave their respective financial institutions better than they found them. Catherine came to banking after starting her career as an attorney. Her education combines undergraduate economics studies at Pepperdine University, which included time at the London School of Economics, with a law degree from the University of Tennessee.

Starting her law career in private practice in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Catherine’s work with commercial and residential real estate clients included complex workouts with banks. That experience sparked her interest in working directly in financial services. Her first job in banking included negotiating contracts with government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. She later advanced into senior leadership roles at two of the nation’s Top 15 banks by asset size. Catherine joins Spinnaker with deep expertise in risk management and regulatory compliance, specifically including management and board reporting, regulatory relations and strategy, regulatory change management, regulatory training, and policy and procedure management.

9 Things about Catherine

• What swings your feet out of bed in the morning? My dogs or my children, whomever wakes up first.
• Morning sip: Locally roasted coffee from Civil Goat.
• Must-listen-to podcast: 99% Invisible
• Favorite body of water: As a former swimmer, I love all of them.
• Reading right now: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, with my kids.
• Secret to success: The ability to listen, take risks and cultivate empathy.
• I admire leaders who are: Willing to dive into the work with their teams.
• I cheer for: College sports and The Olympics.
• Must-see TV: Ted Lasso.