A compassionate guide to navigating grief while maintaining your professional life, exploring how healing and work can coexist with grace, patience, and self-compassion.
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The hardest moments became my greatest strength. Setbacks may change my path, but they never have to define my future.
Abbie Schaffer · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Abbie
Abbie Schaffer is an accomplished commercial lender and business development officer with nearly two decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry. She currently serves as AVP Commercial Lender & Business Development Officer at Iowa State Bank, where she helps business owners, investors, and nonprofit organizations access practical financing solutions and make informed financial decisions. Her career has included roles in commercial banking, credit analysis, relationship management, and business development, giving her a strong foundation in understanding the financial needs and challenges of organizations.
Schaffer specializes in commercial lending, business financial consulting, credit and financial analysis, portfolio management, and relationship-driven banking. She began her career at John Deere Financial, gaining experience in credit analysis, underwriting, and customer relationship management before moving into business banking leadership roles. She later served as a Business Banking Relationship Manager at U.S. Bank, where she worked closely with businesses to develop financial strategies and support long-term growth. She earned her MBA in Corporate Financial Management from Upper Iowa University, strengthening her expertise in finance and business leadership.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Schaffer is deeply committed to community development and service. She believes strong businesses create strong communities and actively supports initiatives that empower individuals and organizations. She has founded a youth-focused nonprofit to encourage outdoor activity and engagement, while also serving in various community leadership roles and volunteer organizations. Known for her integrity, responsiveness, and relationship-focused approach, Schaffer is passionate about helping others succeed while building lasting connections within the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Abbie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, curiosity, and genuinely caring about the people I serve. Throughout my career, I've never been afraid to ask questions, continue learning, or take on challenges that push me outside my comfort zone. I believe success comes from building trust, showing up consistently, and treating every person with respect.
I'm also someone who believes in giving back. Whether it's supporting local businesses, serving on nonprofit boards, organizing youth events, or volunteering in my community, those experiences have taught me that success isn't measured only by professional achievements—it's measured by the positive impact you have on others.
Finally, resilience has shaped who I am. Life has presented unexpected challenges, but each one has reinforced my faith, strengthened my perspective, and reminded me to focus on what truly matters. Those experiences have made me more compassionate, more determined, and more grateful for every opportunity to make a difference.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is, "You never know when you'll cross paths with someone again, so always treat everyone with respect and kindness."
That advice has stayed with me throughout my career. Banking and business in general is built on relationships and reputation. Every interaction matters, whether it's with a client, coworker, vendor, or someone you've just met. People remember how you made them feel long after they've forgotten the details of a conversation.
I've found that leading with kindness, being authentic, and treating everyone with the same level of respect has opened more doors than any sales strategy ever could. Relationships built on trust have been the foundation of both my professional success and the opportunities I've been fortunate to receive.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid and if you are, do it anyway.
It's normal to feel intimidated when you're stepping into a new industry, walking into a boardroom, or meeting with experienced business owners. Confidence doesn't always come first; it often comes from taking the opportunity before you feel completely ready.
Ask questions, keep learning, and don't underestimate the value of your perspective. Your voice belongs at the table. Build relationships, be prepared, and stay true to your values. Every successful person was once new, uncertain, and learning.
Most importantly, don't let fear make your decisions. Let courage make them instead. The opportunities that shape your career are often on the other side of the conversations you're most nervous to have.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in commercial lending today is navigating economic uncertainty. Business owners are facing higher interest rates, rising operating costs, labor shortages, and rapidly changing technology, all while trying to grow their businesses. As lenders, we have to balance responsible risk management with finding creative solutions that help our customers succeed.
At the same time, I believe this creates one of our greatest opportunities. Community banks have the ability to provide personalized guidance that goes beyond simply approving or declining a loan. We can build relationships, understand each customer's unique goals, and become trusted advisors throughout every stage of their business.
Another exciting opportunity is encouraging more women to pursue careers in commercial lending. Diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making, foster innovation, and help us better serve the communities where we live and work. The future of banking isn't just about transactions it's about relationships, trust, and helping businesses thrive.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and my personal life are integrity, kindness, service, and resilience.
Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Trust is earned through honesty, consistency, and following through on your commitments.
Kindness is something I believe never goes out of style. You never know what someone else is facing, and a little compassion can make a lasting impact.
Service is at the heart of everything I do. Whether I'm helping a business owner achieve their goals, volunteering in my community, or supporting local nonprofits, I find the greatest fulfillment in making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Finally, resilience has become one of my strongest values. Life will present challenges, but those moments don't define us how we respond to them does. Every obstacle has taught me to persevere, adapt, and continue moving forward with faith and purpose.
These four values shape the decisions I make, the relationships I build, and the legacy I hope to leave.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Abbie
Working While Grieving: The Strength No One Sees
Finding Strength and Healing While Carrying Grief Into Your Work
The Hidden Work of Grief
Grief is exhausting.
It doesn't just affect your emotions. It can affect your memory, concentration, confidence, patience, motivation, and even your physical health. Some days, answering a simple email feels like climbing a mountain. You may read the same sentence three times before it makes sense. You may forget words you would normally use with ease.
And then comes the guilt.
You wonder why you're not as productive as you once were. You compare yourself to the version of yourself that existed before your loss or hardship. You wonder whether anyone notices.
The truth is, you're not failing.
You're carrying two jobs at once: the work you're paid to do and the emotional work of healing.
Success Looks Different During Difficult Seasons
There is a time in life to chase promotions, exceed goals, and accomplish extraordinary things.
There is also a time when success simply means showing up.
- Showing up despite the tears.
- Showing up despite the uncertainty.
- Showing up despite feeling like a different person than you were a few months ago.
Some days, your best will look different than it did before, and that's okay.
Healing isn't measured by how quickly you "get back to normal." It's measured by the courage to keep moving forward, one day at a time.
Give Yourself Permission to Be Human
Too often, we believe professionalism means pretending everything is fine.
But professionalism isn't perfection.
It's integrity. It's honesty. It's continuing to care about your work while recognizing that you're still a human being with limits.
You don't have to share every detail of your story to deserve compassion. You don't have to earn the right to take a breath. You don't have to apologize for healing at your own pace.
The strongest people aren't the ones who never struggle.
They're the ones who keep choosing hope, even when life feels unbearably heavy.
Be the Coworker You Wish You Had
You never truly know what someone is carrying.
- The colleague who seems distracted may have spent the night in a hospital.
- The employee who is unusually quiet may have just buried a parent.
- The business owner who appears overwhelmed may be facing challenges no one else sees.
A little patience. A kind word. An offer to help. A simple "How are you, really?" can become a lifeline.
Kindness costs nothing, but its impact can last forever.
Keep Going
If you're reading this while carrying grief into your workplace every day, know this:
You are stronger than you realize.
Not because you never cry.
Not because you never struggle.
But because you continue to love, serve, work, lead, and hope while your heart is still healing.
That is courage.
And one day, without even realizing it, you'll notice something remarkable.
The weight won't disappear, but you'll have grown strong enough to carry it differently.
Until then, keep showing up.
Not because you have to be perfect.
But because every small step forward is proof that healing is happening, even on the days you can't yet see it.
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