When Pacific Crest Senior Vice President and Risk Officer Ryan Douglas isn’t leading the bank’s regulatory compliance and risk management functions, or championing important community causes, there’s a good chance he’s planning his next travel adventure – but he’s always happy to return home to the Pacific Northwest, where he’s lived his entire life.
Ryan joined our team in 2023 and brought with him more than 16 years of experience in finance, risk management and public service. He has always been drawn to roles that allow him to serve the community where he lives, which, he says, has been the silver lining of joining a community bank. Pacific Crest’s focus on corporate philanthropy and investing in projects that promote equity and the long-term growth of the community really resonates with his values.
In his role managing all aspects of risk, he appreciates being surrounded by Pacific Crest’s exceptional team of highly tenured, experienced professionals who are so skilled at their positions that it enables him to think about risk in the big picture, bringing fresh perspectives to the table that keep the organization safe, sound and strong.
As a leader at Pacific Crest and in his personal pursuits, Ryan is committed to advancing many issues tied to equity, helping people know what their rights are and how they should be treated. He’s driven by the belief that the more people understand their rights and have access to the resources they need to make informed financial decisions, the better off our local community will be.
Outside of work, Ryan has held several volunteer positions including his term co-chairing a statewide business resource group for LGBTQ+ employees in Washington State government, and as president of the Seattle Symphony’s Young Patron’s Group.
You’re also likely to find him cheering on his alma mater, the University of Washington Huskies, visiting his family across Washington state, listening to classical music and spending time with his husband and their rescue cat, S’mores.
Hear more from Ryan:
“What I enjoy about my role is the complexity of thinking about where a financial institution may be willing to take on risk – because at the end of the day, we must take risk to run a business – and doing so in a way that protects both the bank and consumers, and keeps our operation safe, sound and strong. In that way, I get to think about risk in a more long-term, existential way.”
Fun Facts:
Tell us more about your cat! S’mores is our third rescue cat, an incredibly handsome nine-month old Siamese. Before him, we had Blueberry and Mocha – and despite the trend in food names, we’ve always adopted them after they were named by their original owners.
What are you listening to right now? As a classical music fan, I’m all about making good music accessible. I find it relaxing to listen to during the day. And it’s not nearly as stodgy as it used to be! If you pass by my office there’s a good chance you’ll hear Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 6.”
