First Fed's Cindy Hill Finnie wins Board Leadership Award

Cindy Hill Finnie, Board Chair, First Fed Bank and First Northwest Bancorp, has been named one of the Puget Sound Business Journal's 2026 Directors of the Year for her exceptional performance in corporate governance, strategic leadership and community stewardship. Each year the awards are presented to outstanding board members of corporations and nonprofits in Washington State for their excellence in steering an organization through growth, transformation, and effective governance.

In 2012, Cindy was appointed to the board of directors for First Northwest Bancorp where she became the first woman to serve as the board's chair in the organization's over 100 years. Under her leadership, she has guided a time of tremendous change, including the transition of executive leadership, strategic expansion to the Puget Sound region, improved governance processes and ongoing investments in the communities the organization serves.

Cindy is currently Board Chair, where she governs, chairs the executive succession committee, oversees enterprise risk and provides long-term strategy. She also serves on the Audit Committee, the Executive Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and previously served on the board's fintech oversight committee. Her leadership has played a crucial role in advancing governance practices and keeping the organisation on the sustainable growth journey and on track to create value in the long-term.

Key Highlights

• Cindy Hill Finnie becomes First Fed's first woman board chair
• She strengthens governance, leadership succession and long-term strategic growth
• Her recognition celebrates women’s leadership and community stewardship excellence

One of Cindy’s major leadership accomplishments was guiding the board through the national executive search that resulted in the appointment of President and CEO Curt Queyrouze in 2025, along with other senior executive appointments. Her leadership provided continuity and stability while helping with the organization's evolving strategic direction.

Cindy has continued to be active in the community beyond the boardroom. Since 2015, she has directed over $7 million that the First Fed Foundation has given to nonprofit, tribal and governmental entities to address the needs of the region, including affordable housing, economic opportunity, community development and other needs. She is also a civic leader, serving as Vice President of the Fort Worden Foundation, and as a member of the Lodging Tax Advisory Council of Port Townsend. She has served as a past chair of the Washington State Arts Commission, Centrum Foundation and the Fort Worden Public Development Authority.

Prior to entering the board, Cindy had a long successful career at Allstate Insurance Company where she served as a leader in underwriting, sales management, business development, and agency development and financial management. After her corporate career, she co-founded award-winning Rainshadow Properties in Port Townsend, a hospitality and property management business.

President and CEO Curt Queyrouze noted her contributions, saying, "Board leadership is defined by decisions made during periods of change, and Cindy has led with exactly the type of wisdom, integrity and foresight that every organization could hope to have. She has been a priceless asset, and her ability to bring sound judgment and authentic integrity and long-term vision to each issue that comes before the board is an asset to all of us”.

Cindy said, "This recognition is particularly pleasing as it demonstrates an active board and highly capable leadership team who are united in their desire for good governance, sound decision making and looking after their customers and communities for the long term”.

Cindy's appointment is yet another testament to the importance of women's influence in corporate governance, highlighting the continued influence of inclusive leadership, strategic foresight, and community-focused decision-making in building better organizations and inspiring the next generation of female leaders.