Women's History Month Spotlight: Shaza Andersen

A sought-after authority on banking and capital market interests, Shaza Andersen has made numerous appearances on channel news stations, has been featured in Forbes Magazine, the Washington Business Journal, and Washingtonian Magazine. 

Her accolades do not stop there. She has been recognized as a prominent leader and businesswoman in the Washington, DC area through numerous awards and recognitions such as Top 25 Women to Watch, Top 100 Powerful Women, and Most Admired CEO, to name a few.

Prior to Trustar Bank’s inception, Shaza served as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Sandy Spring Bank and founded and served as CEO of WashingtonFirst Bank. She continues to be a leader in the community, focusing on community service and outreach. Shaza founded the Trustar Youth Foundation (formerly the WashingtonFirst Youth Foundation), a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the physical, social and mental well-being of children in the Greater Washington area. 

Originally from Lebanon, Shaza and her family moved to the US when she was 13 years old and she has been in the Greater Washington area since she was in college. Her commitment to community engagement blossomed soon after that in tennis and her professional endeavors. She started the C3 tennis team at her local tennis club, “[we] enjoyed the competitive and social aspects of the team and the league. Today we play family tennis every Sunday,” Shaza said. 

When asked what drew her to the sport, Shaza replied, “I like the opportunity to meet people. It is a game that our entire family can play together and we enjoy that very much.” Now you can find her and her family playing tennis every Sunday at their local club. 

We had the opportunity to talk more with Shaza, and she shared her perspective on why it is important to celebrate Women’s History Month based on her experience.

USTA Mid-Atlantic: Why is Women’s History Month important to you?

Shaza: Women’s History Month is important to me as it creates a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of great women in the world and helps to also remind us of the work we have left to do to achieve more. 

Who had an impact on your life growing up?  

Growing up I’ve had a number of important role models and influencers. My Mom has influenced me so much growing up and over the course of my life. She is a strong independent woman. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up?  

I thought a lot about being a school teacher growing up. I love children and value education and the impact it has on people. 

How would you like to see Women in sports grow?

I’d like to see women’s sports continue to grow by providing meaningful opportunities for women to learn and grow through competition and comradery.

Why is it important for women to play tennis?  

It’s important for women to engage, have fun and gain valuable skills through those experiences.    

What would you tell another woman or girl interested in playing tennis?  

Go for it! Try it out, it’s fun and you’ll have the opportunity to meet a lot of great people in the game.

What does it mean to be a leader in the community?

Being a leader in the community is an opportunity to have an impact and help set an example of what can be achieved.   

What was the best piece of advice you received when you were growing up and/or advancing in your career?  

Probably one of the best pieces of advice I received when I was growing up and advancing in my career was to have a plan and work that plan each and every day. Having a plan, especially when you’re young, doesn’t mean knowing precisely where you’re headed but it does mean being purposeful in your actions and working and building toward meaningful outcomes. In my professional life, I have always made my plan my priority. 

What advice would you like to give to the next generation of women leaders?  

Be courageous, dream big and have fun. There are so many opportunities for people who are willing to put in the work to make a meaningful difference in your community. 

Women’s History Month is about uplifting women and sharing stories that inspire us all. At USTA Mid-Atlantic, we are inspired by all of our powerful and strong women that make up the Mid-Atlantic tennis community. If you missed any of our spotlight stories, make sure to catch up with Stephanie Evans or Jen Hunter. You can also find spotlights on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and we encourage you to share and join the conversation. 

USTA Mid-Atlantic is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps people and communities grow stronger, healthier, and more connected through tennis. Learn about our impact in the Section and how you can help bring tennis to more communities throughout the region.