Community Presidents
WaterStone Bank is dedicated to the communities we serve.
Meet Your Community Presidents
Caleb Quakkelaar
Community President, Brookfield Branch
Caleb Quakkelaar serves as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s Brookfield branch. A graduate of Marquette University and a former member of the U.S. Army Reserves (2013–2016), Caleb joined WaterStone Bank in 2021 as a Universal Banker at the Waukesha branch, quickly rising through the ranks thanks to his strong leadership and commitment to service.
He is actively involved in the Brookfield community and passionate about building relationships with local businesses, nonprofits, and residents. Caleb is especially focused on creating meaningful partnerships that help expand WaterStone Bank’s presence and support in the area.
Caleb lives in Waukesha and enjoys spending time outdoors. On the weekends, you’ll often find him camping, hiking, or hunting.
Lynn Kuester
Community President, Fox Point Branch
Lynn Kuester leads WaterStone Bank’s Fox Point branch with a strong background in business development and customer service. Since joining WaterStone in 2021, Lynn has brought energy and insight from her previous roles as a Marketing Manager, Account Director, and even a bar and restaurant owner—experience that helps her connect with local business owners and families alike.
A proud North Shore resident, Lynn stays active in the community through her ongoing involvement with the Fox Point Foundation, the Fox Point / Bayside Educational Foundation and the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. When she’s not at the branch or supporting local events, you’ll find her cooking, gardening, or enjoying a great movie.
Lynn is passionate about helping customers reach their financial goals and is proud to serve the North Shore community with personalized, attentive service.
Jennifer Peric
Community President, Franklin Branch
Jennifer Peric leads WaterStone Bank’s Franklin branch and brings more than 15 years of retail banking and management experience to her role. She joined WaterStone from Old National Bank, where she served as a Banking Center Manager, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Cardinal Stritch University.
Jennifer is passionate about giving back and has volunteered with Milwaukee Public Schools, helping students strengthen their reading and vocabulary skills and supporting teachers in the classroom.
She currently resides in New Berlin and is proud to serve the Franklin community with personalized service and a commitment to building strong local relationships.
Gurdeep Chahal
Community President, Germantown Branch
With a strong background in customer service, financial operations, and team leadership, Gurdeep Chahal brings a well-rounded perspective to her role as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s Germantown branch. Since joining the bank in 2022, she has steadily advanced through several roles—most recently serving as a Universal Banker III—before stepping into branch leadership.
Gurdeep also draws on more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, having owned and operated a successful retail business in Milwaukee from 2000 to 2012. In 2021, she was named Wisconsin Lottery Retailer of the Month after driving an 88% increase in annual lottery sales.
A resident of Hubertus, Gurdeep enjoys cheering on the Milwaukee Bucks, exploring local restaurants, and spending time along the Lake Michigan lakefront.
Rebecca Guardiola
Community President, Greenfield Branch
Rebecca Guardiola serves as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s Greenfield Branch, bringing more than a decade of experience in financial services. She began her banking career in 2009 and earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from UW–Whitewater in 2016.
Deeply committed to community involvement, Rebecca has volunteered with organizations such as the Milwaukee Women’s Center and Hunger Task Force. She enjoys building relationships with customers and finding ways to give back to the neighborhoods she serves.
Rebecca lives in the Greenfield/Greendale area and enjoys supporting local businesses, attending community events, and staying connected with the people who make her community special.
Bryan Krajewski
Community President, Milwaukee Branch
Bryan Krajewski brings more than 20 years of leadership and customer service experience to his role as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s Milwaukee branch. Prior to joining WaterStone, he held store manager roles at Ross Dress for Less, Petco, and Michaels Arts and Crafts, where he was known for turning around underperforming locations and reinforcing strong operational standards.
Since joining the bank, Bryan has applied his passion for people and operational excellence to strengthen customer relationships and support the needs of the local community. He is especially proud to serve the Milwaukee area and contribute to its continued growth.
Bryan volunteers with the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI) and serves on its board of directors, supporting efforts to assist and empower veterans in the community.
Katrina Rivera
Community President, Oak Creek-27th Street Branch
Katrina brings over two decades of banking experience to her role as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s Oak Creek branch. Since beginning her career as a teller in 1999, she has held positions in lending, auditing, fraud investigation, and personal banking—building a deep, well-rounded understanding of the industry.
Throughout her career, Katrina has been known for her strong leadership and dedication to empowering others, both professionally and in the community. She is especially passionate about promoting financial literacy and helping women prepare for job interviews and career advancement.
Katrina is an active volunteer and currently serves on the board of Ability Adventures and as Treasurer for the Oak Creek National Night Out board. She is also involved with her church and local animal shelters. Her commitment to service and her drive to make a positive impact are at the heart of her work with WaterStone Bank and the Oak Creek community.
Shanda Caveney
Community President, Oak Creek-Howell Branch
Shanda Caveney has led WaterStone Bank’s Oak Creek Howell branch since it first opened in 2019. She began her career with the bank in 2012 as a part-time teller and steadily advanced into leadership, most recently serving as Assistant Branch Manager before becoming Community President.
Before joining the bank, Shanda worked as a certified nursing assistant, where she was known for building meaningful relationships with patients and their families—an experience that continues to shape her customer-first approach to banking.
A passionate community leader, Shanda serves as President of the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce and holds leadership roles with several local organizations, including Vice President of Oak Creek National Night Out and the Oak Creek Community Center, 3rd Vice President of the Oak Creek Lions, and Treasurer of the South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade. She also serves on the board for the 128th Civic Dinner Dance. Shanda is proud to support the Oak Creek area through both her work at WaterStone Bank and her extensive civic involvement.
Heather Rodriquez
Community President, Oconomowoc Branch
Heather Rodriquez is the Community President at WaterStone Bank’s Oconomowoc branch. Before transitioning into banking, she spent over a decade leading hiring and recruiting initiatives as a Project Lead at Walgreens. With a degree in business management, Heather quickly found her stride in the financial industry, where she enjoys building strong relationships with her customers and team.
Heather is an ambassador for the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce and takes pride in supporting local businesses and community events. Her approachable leadership style and customer-focused mindset have made her a trusted presence in the branch and throughout the community.
In her free time, Heather enjoys traveling—she’s visited 29 states so far and hopes to visit all 50. During the summer, you’ll often find her relaxing in the Wisconsin Dells or staying active in her local bowling league. A Franklin resident, she also enjoys Brewers games, Summerfest, and hiking at Grant Park’s Seven Bridges Trail.
Korey Smith
Community President, Pewaukee Branch
Korey Smith serves as Community President at WaterStone Bank’s Pewaukee branch. He brings a rich and varied background to his role, including service in the U.S. Marine Corps, leadership in the retail industry where he helped launch Wisconsin’s first Peloton and Fabletics stores, and experience as Director of Operations at Woodlands School in Milwaukee.
Korey is passionate about building strong community connections and is actively involved with F.E.A.R. MKE, a local fitness and running group. He brings that same energy and dedication to his work at WaterStone, where he values personal relationships and strives to make a meaningful impact in the Pewaukee community.
A Milwaukee resident, Korey enjoys running, golfing, attending local events with his wife, and collecting Funko Pops with his son. He’s proud to support the community both personally and professionally.
Laura Merchle
Community President, Waukesha Branch
Laura Merchle has been a part of the WaterStone Bank team since 2005 and proudly serves as Community President of the Waukesha branch. With nearly two decades of experience, Laura is deeply committed to delivering exceptional service and building lasting relationships with customers in the community she calls home.
She is an active volunteer for the City of Waukesha and serves on the City’s Public Art Committee, where she helps promote and advocate for the visual arts. Her dedication to community engagement and cultural enrichment reflects her passion for making a positive impact beyond the walls of the branch.
When she’s not at the bank or volunteering, Laura enjoys supporting local events and initiatives that make Waukesha a vibrant place to live and work.
Laura Christenson-Nix
Community President, Wauwatosa Branch
Laura Christenson-Nix serves as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s Wauwatosa branch. She joined the bank in 2021 after spending 16 years in the restaurant industry, where she held various leadership and training roles that shaped her strong customer service and team development skills.
Deeply committed to the Wauwatosa community, Laura serves on the boards of the Ability Center, the Village of Wauwatosa BID, and Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers. She brings energy, warmth, and a people-first approach to her work with customers and colleagues alike.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time outdoors—camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and building snowmen with her family. She’s proud to support the Wauwatosa community both in and outside of the branch.
Pam Zorko
Community President, West Allis-Greenfield Branch
With more than 15 years of banking experience, Pam Zorko serves as Community President of WaterStone Bank’s West Allis–Greenfield branch. She is passionate about helping customers reach their financial goals and leads a dynamic branch team focused on personalized service and long-term relationships.
Pam is deeply involved in the West Allis community and actively supports a variety of local organizations. She serves as Treasurer of the After Hours Rotary Club of West Allis, is a board member of the Wauwatosa/West Allis Chamber of Commerce and West Allis/West Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, and volunteers with the West Allis Christmas Parade Committee, Friends of LaFollette Park, and the West Allis Civic Engagement Community Conversation group.
A proud West Allis resident, Pam is an avid animal lover and spends her free time with her rescue dog, Presley. She also enjoys performing improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy.
Maria Castro
Community President, West Allis-National Branch
Maria Castro is the Community President at WaterStone Bank’s West Allis–National branch. She brings more than a decade of community banking experience, including time as an Assistant Branch Manager, and a background in restaurant management that shaped her customer-focused leadership style.
Maria is passionate about giving back and volunteers with Project Clean and Green, supporting neighborhood improvement efforts that reflect WaterStone Bank’s commitment to community involvement. She is especially proud to serve an area she knows and loves.
Outside of work, Maria enjoys cooking, discovering new food spots, walking local trails, and traveling. She lives in the Silver City neighborhood and believes in the power of learning through every experience.
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