Berens, a 48-year professional in the financial industry, recently retired as Vice-President of First Bank Kansas.
Berens, of Victoria, Kansas, said her first job following high school was in 1973 at the Farmer’s Co-op Credit Union in Hays.
In 1974, Berens married Bernie Berens and moved to Salina.
Berens worked for numerous banks prior to joining First Bank Kansas, including Bank of America, Nation’s Bank and People’s Heritage.
“There was a period in time where banks were always being bought and the names changed,” she said, jokingly. “That’s when First Bank Kansas approached me and said you need to come work for a family bank. ”