25 Women in Leadership: Nicole Bjerke

She’s the Peoria County Treasurer and has been with the Treasurer’s Office since 2000.

She’s the banker for the county, the Investment Officer, and then the Tax Collector.

The elected officials at the County work very well together, there’s no partisan politics for us elected officials -- they’re all in the same boat, they’re all working for the people.

A good leader to be successful has to listen -- has to listen to other people’s opinions and other people’s sides. It’s encouraging people, it’s providing the best customer service we can, and of course leading by example.

Nicole wants her employees to see she’s right there with them. If she can get a taxpayer to leave here smiling and laughing, that’s what she really likes about the job -- it’s the people.

She doesn’t just like what she does -- she loves it.