SHAZA ANDERSEN | Founder and CEO, Trustar Bank,

Shaza Andersen could have opted for early retirement in 2018 when the holding company of the first bank she founded, WashingtonFirst Bank, was acquired by Sandy Spring Bancorp in a deal valued at $447 million. Instead, Andersen decided to do it over again and founded Fairfax County-based Trustar Bank, which opened in 2019 with nine employees. Today, the bank employs 66 people.

In March, Trustar Bank announced it had raised $16.7 million in its third oversubscribed stock offering. As of July, Trustar Bank reported total assets of $1.02 billion, with loans of $811 million and deposits of $858.5 million.

Andersen stays motivated at work by finding meaning outside financial reports. “Throughout my career, being purpose-driven has allowed me to feel fulfilled and stay motivated,” she says. “Whether that purpose is helping to sustain our local communities and businesses, investing in the growth and development of our team members or supporting those in need through corporate philanthropy.”

The Trustar Bank employee who nominated Andersen praised her servant leadership style.

“Since the day our doors opened, Shaza has made her team the priority,” her nominator says. “She goes out of her way to ensure that every person within the organization feels heard and knows that they are an important part of every success the company has.”

Andersen earned a degree in area studies from George Mason University in 1989 and received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater in 2021.

2025 Virginia Women in Leadership Awards honorees