At Mid America Bank, we know that supporting a community extends beyond handling your finances. We also value celebrating the people, culture, and creativity that make a place feel like home. That’s why I’d like to introduce Holly Nunn, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, whose leadership and passion for community art helped shape our newest branch in Columbia.
Holly brings 23 years of banking experience and a results-driven approach to operations, strategy, and team leadership. Beyond her professional career, she has a deep commitment to the arts and community engagement. She served for eight years on the board of Capital Arts, a nonprofit community gallery in Jefferson City, beginning as secretary and then serving as president for seven years.
During her tenure, Holly helped the organization grow through new programs and fundraisers. Her experience with Capital Arts strengthened her appreciation for how art can build community and create shared experiences — a perspective she brought to the Columbia location.
When planning for the new branch, Holly and her team deliberated on how the space could do more than provide exceptional banking services.
“We wanted to highlight some of the most important landmarks in Columbia — Jesse Hall, The Tiger Hotel, The Columns, and Rock Bridge,” she says. “The goal was to create a branch that felt connected to the community, celebrating Columbia’s history, culture, and growth.”
Holly knew from the beginning that the artwork for the branch needed a local perspective to capture the essence they were after. Through her ties to the Jefferson City art community and her connection with Capital Arts, she was introduced to members of the Columbia Art League, where she met Robert Friedman — a longtime Columbia resident and retired educator.
“I’ve considered myself a resident of Columbia since my junior year at UMC,” Robert says. “I raised a family here and am currently retired from teaching. I felt a long-standing connection to the places represented in the art commissioned by Mid America Bank. I tried to create scenes that are clearly from an observer’s point of view rather than an elevated perspective that is more illustrative. In doing so I hope the observer feels their feet in that place.”
Robert’s approach gives the branch a sense of warmth and familiarity, helping visitors feel grounded and connected to the city’s landmarks. While his artwork adds an aesthetic decoration, it also offers a sense of belonging. Each piece invites members to recognize familiar scenes, sparking memories and conversations that bring Columbia’s story to life within the bank’s walls.
The integration of local art also reflects Mid America Bank’s broader vision of creating spaces that feel personal and community-driven — not simply transactional. The Columbia branch stands as a reflection of Mid America Bank’s commitment to both excellence in service and connection to community.
