The Voice of the Brand: Why Women Are Key to Building Trust - Amber Farley, Executive Vice President, Brand Development
In a world where trust is the true currency of banking, brand is everything — and women are uniquely positioned to shape it. Whether you're leading a team, serving customers, or representing your bank in the community, you are the voice of the brand.
This session explores the powerful role women play in building brand trust — both for their institutions and for themselves. Drawing on real-life examples from bank rebrands and branding strategy work across the country, we’ll uncover how qualities often attributed to women — empathy, intuition, consistency, and authenticity — are not only leadership strengths but brand-building superpowers.
We’ll also explore how women can lift each other up — advocating for one another’s voices, celebrating each other’s strengths, and creating a culture of support that strengthens both personal and institutional brands.
You'll leave this session with a deeper understanding of:
- What makes a bank brand truly trustworthy and relatable today
- How women across all roles can embody and influence the brand every day
- Why your personal brand matters — and how to develop it with clarity and confidence
- The importance of championing one another to build trust, amplify impact, and lead with purpose
Whether you're in marketing, management, operations, or lending, this session will help you see yourself as more than your title — you are a brand ambassador, a culture shaper, a trust builder, and a champion for others.
Amplifying Your Voice – A Discussion on Speaking Up and Standing Out - Lisa Arnold, President & CEO of Home Bank, Sherry Coley, Managing Partner Northeast Wisconsin Region, Amundsen Davis, LLC, Asha Cermak, Attorney at Amundsen Davis, LLC (moderator)
A candid discussion about the personal and professional milestones of two successful leaders, this session will offer an open dialogue about the strategies for making an impact, being heard, and growing professionally in male-dominated industries. Through a series of thoughtful questions, our speakers will share their experiences navigating career advancement, mentorship, leadership challenges, motivating team members to perform at their highest level, addressing tough topics, holding people accountable, and the evolving landscape of financial services in the digital era. This session will be told through a dynamic conversation moderated by a young professional early in her career, asking questions centered around using your voice to advocate and collaborate within your organization and community. Attendees will hear honest reflections and practical advice, while taking away key insights on overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities as a woman in banking.
Extinguishing Burnout, Torching Fear and Igniting Hope - Jason Barnaby, Chief Fire Starter, Fire Starters Inc.
Do you have more to do on your list, on your plate and in your inbox that you could possibly do in a day, week, or month? Feeling overwhelmed by all the promises you've made and expectations those promises have created? Just keep pushing, right?!? WRONG! In this high energy and interactive session, Jason Barnaby will lead you through a series of mindset shifts and practical steps to help you ignite hope and coax it into a sustainable flame that nurtures you and doesn't burn you out!
The Woman in the Arena - Kate Maxwell, Speaker and Change Agent
It takes courage to lead, to be different, and to show up as an agent of change, particularly in the face of naysayers. It is bravery and authenticity – not fearlessness – that is our superpower. This talk explores what it means to be that Woman in the Arena who strives, who struggles, who keeps showing up, and who never loses track of who she is and what she stands for.
Power Up Your Professional Presence: Style Strategies for Today's Workplace - Nicole Blair Wear, Owner of Nicole Blair Wear and House of Blair
In this lively and informative session, you'll discover how to refresh your professional wardrobe in the post- COVID era. Learn how to balance comfort with style, incorporate versatile color palettes, and harness the power of energy through your clothing choices to boost confidence and credibility. Whether you're returning to the office or embracing a hybrid work style, this presentation will equip you with actional tips to look polished, feel authentic, and create a positive energy that elevates your business.
The Im'Perfect Leader - Mitch Issacs, Executive Director, Shafer Leadership Academy
In a world where we are expected to do everything, it can sometimes feel like we accomplish nothing. Inspired by Tal Ben-Shahar’s The Pursuit of Perfect, this session explores the value of mistakes, the unattainable allure of perfectionism, and how embracing optimalism can lead to greater fulfillment.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the role of mistakes in personal and professional development.
- Differentiate between optimalism and perfectionism.
- Learn from notable figures who succeeded despite failures.
- Recognize the role of risk in achieving meaningful success.
The Readiness Reset™: Clarity and Confidence to Lead Like a Woman in Banking - Debbie Peterson, CSP, Award-Winning Keynote Speaker, Readiness Strategist, Author
You don’t need another pep talk; you need space to think differently, tools to lead more intentionally, and the confidence to take Your Next Clear Move. In this energizing closing keynote, Debbie Peterson helps you reset, refocus, and leave with clarity, momentum, and one clear action to take your banking career forward. Every participant also receives access to The Readiness Vault — a toolkit designed to keep you and your team in momentum long after the conference ends.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Gaining Emotional Clarity and Mastering Self-Regulation - Starla West, Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Expert Trainer
In the high-pressure world of banking, women professionals often navigate complex workflows, demanding schedules, and critical decision-making responsibilities. These challenges require not only technical expertise but also emotional resilience and self-regulation to thrive in their roles. This workshop is tailored to empower women in banking with the tools to master these essential skills, enabling them to excel both professionally and personally.
This interactive session explores the pivotal role of emotions in workplace dynamics, offering insights into how emotional clarity and self-regulation can transform stress into strength. Participants will learn to identify emotional triggers, regulate their responses effectively, and leverage heightened emotional awareness to maintain composure in challenging situations. Using a proven framework and actionable strategies, attendees will develop the ability to:
1. Recognize emotional patterns that may impact confidence or focus.
2. Regulate emotional responses to remain calm and in control, especially when under pressure.
3. Build resilience in the face of workplace challenges.
Ask Boldly; Win Big - Negotiation Strategies for Success! - Cassandra Faurote, CCP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow, J.D., M.Ed., Total Reward Solutions, LLC
In this dynamic presentation tailored for women - from rising stars just starting out to key decision makers, officers, and managers looking to break through the glass ceiling—we will explore the critical factors shaping today’s compensation landscape. You will gain valuable insights into the gender pay issue, backed by revealing statistics that highlight persistent discrepancies as well as emerging trends. We will break down important compensation terms into clear, understandable language, and demonstrate how effectively using salary ranges can empower you to negotiate with confidence and secure what you’re truly worth. We aim to inspire you to step up and demand the rewards you deserve. The presentation is brought to life by two seasoned expert co-presenters: one will delve into the complexities of compensation and the true cost of the gender pay gap, while the other focuses on actionable negotiation strategies that can transform your approach to securing salary increases and promotions.
Leading from Anywhere: Building and Maintaining High-Performing Teams in a Distributed World - Kristin Love, Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Operations Officer, Performance Trust Capital Partners
As support organizations evolve to meet the constant demand of customer and client needs, the way we lead, develop talent, and define roles must evolve, too. In this talk, Kristin will share lessons learned and actionable strategies from leading distributed support teams where specialization, feedback, and talent development are critical to success. We’ll explore the unique challenges of managing and scaling remote support teams, especially when those teams are made up of highly specialized roles. From identifying and growing the right talent for niche positions to coaching and growing individuals in roles that don't fit traditional molds, I’ll share insights into what it takes to build and hold onto resilient, high-impact teams and how to give and receive feedback to ensure you are setting teammates up for success.