Peggy Rowe among 2025 Women of Influence Honorees
Kansas City, Mo. – Peggy Rowe, general counsel, secretary and executive director of corporate risk management, Commerce Bancshares, Inc., has been named a 2025 Women of Influence honoree by the Kansas City Business Journal (KCBJ). The Women of Influence program recognizes top-ranking women leaders in the Kansas City community, putting a spotlight on executives who are shaping the business, driving civic and philanthropic engagement, and paving the way for the next generation of women leaders.
A respected legal and business leader, Rowe has spent more than three decades at Commerce, earning a reputation for her thoughtful counsel, deep institutional knowledge, and collaborative leadership. She was named general counsel of Commerce Bancshares Inc. in 2022 and leads a team of attorneys responsible for a wide range of matters across the company’s business lines, including contract negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, corporate filings, loan documentation, regulatory compliance, and more. She also serves as corporate secretary for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Commerce Bank, supporting the Board of Directors and executive leadership with governance and oversight responsibilities.
Rowe’s leadership style reflects her belief in collaboration and continuous growth. Over her career, she has observed and learned from a wide range of leadership styles at Commerce, shaping her own approach to bring out the best in others while advancing individual, team, and enterprise goals.
“Peggy has been an invaluable part of the Commerce team for decades,” said John Kemper, president and chief executive officer, Commerce Bancshares. “She has not only enhanced the legal department’s operations and efficiency, but she’s also a trusted voice at the table — a leader who brings clarity, perspective and purpose to every conversation. Most recently, she took on a new role as executive sponsor of RISE, a group focused on empowering women across the bank as leaders, mentors, coaches and role models — a natural extension of the thoughtful leadership she’s demonstrated throughout her career.”
Rowe holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. She and the other Women of Influence honorees will be recognized at a luncheon hosted by KCBJ in August.
About Commerce Bank
With $32.3 billion in assets1, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services through its subsidiaries, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. One of its subsidiaries, Commerce Bank, leverages 160 years of proven strength and experience to help individuals and businesses solve financial challenges. In addition to offering payment solutions across the U.S., Commerce Bank currently operates full-service banking facilities across the Midwest including the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Springfield, Central Missouri, Central Illinois, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Denver. Beyond the Midwest, Commerce also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids and wealth offices in Dallas, Houston and Naples. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial and wealth offices, ATMs, online, mobile and through a 24/7 customer service line. Learn more at www.commercebank.com.
1As of June 30, 2025
