The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) is proud to announce Tracy Curtis, former regional president for Wells Fargo in Oregon and Southwest Washington, as the recipient of the 2025 Linda W. Navarro Trailblazer Award.
 
The Linda W. Navarro Trailblazer Award, named after OBA’s former longtime CEO, was established in 2024 to honor extraordinary women in banking who have not only achieved remarkable success in their careers but who lead with courage, elevate others, and have left lasting contributions to the banking industry. Curtis exemplifies all of this and more.
 
A native of England, Curtis began her Wells Fargo career in 1988 as a teller. With humility, determination, and an unwavering commitment to people, over the next 37 years she rose through the ranks to become a respected regional bank president. In that role, she oversaw the customer service, sales, and community involvement activities of nearly 800 team members across 74 branches in northern Oregon and Southwest Washington.
 
Curtis has guided her teams and organization through pivotal moments in the industry — from the financial crisis to the pandemic — always with clarity, resilience, and grace. She is recognized as much for her strategic acumen as for her deep compassion and personal leadership style. Known among colleagues as “the calm in the storm,” she is celebrated for her ability to inspire confidence, nurture talent, and foster resilience in every team she leads.
 
“She lifts others as she climbs,” said one colleague. “Especially women. She challenges the status quo, pushes for inclusion, and ensures every voice is heard.”
 
Her influence extends well beyond the workplace. A dedicated community advocate, Curtis has served on numerous boards, including Cascade AIDS Project, Self Enhancement Inc., Portland Trail Blazers Foundation, Raphael House, The Mighty Endeavor, and the Oregon Bankers Association. Her work supports causes ranging from LGBTQ+ health and domestic violence prevention to youth empowerment and veteran engagement. Within Portland’s LGBTQ+ community, she is not only respected — she is cherished.
 
Curtis’s legacy is one of transformational leadership and unwavering commitment to lifting others. She is admired not only as a trailblazer in banking, but as a mentor, community champion, and role model for the next generation.
 
The award’s inaugural recipient, Linda Navarro, had the honor of presenting the 2025 Trailblazer Award to Curtis.
 
“Tracy is a trailblazer in every sense of the word, and she has achieved it all with a style that is uniquely her own,” said Navarro during the luncheon ceremony.
 
Tracy Curtis’s career is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership. Her impact on the banking industry, her teams, and the broader community will continue to inspire for years to come.
 
The Oregon Bankers Association extends its heartfelt congratulations to Tracy Curtis on this well-deserved recognition.