Jessica Lehman, director of agribusiness banking at the Portland, Indiana, office of First Financial Bank, Cincinnati, has been honored with the Indiana Bankers Association 2020 Woman on the Rise award, sponsored by SmithAmundsen LLC, Indianapolis. She was presented with the award on Oct. 23 during the virtual IBA Banking on Women Conference. This honor recognizes a woman in banking age 40 or younger who makes a positive impact in her industry and community through engagement, drive and teamwork.
Lehman joined First Financial Bank in 2016 following prior experience with Farm Credit Mid-America, where she earned recognition as Top New Performer, and as an adviser with Beck’s Hybrids. She previously completed internships with Dow AgroSciences, the Indiana FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization. Lehman was named Outstanding Sophomore in Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, where she double majored in agricultural education and agricultural economics.
In the community, Lehman volunteers for multiple organizations, including: the Indiana Agri-Institute; the Agribusiness Council of Indiana; the Women of Indiana Agribusiness Seminar Series; Women in Agribusiness; the Miss Adams County Fair Queen Pageant; the Indiana Association of Fairs & Festivals; Indiana Farm Bureau; the American Shorthorn Association; and the online Farm Journal publication. She also is active with her church, has served as a 4-H youth leader for nearly 14 years, and has volunteered with FFA for 16 years.
“Jessica Lehman truly is ‘one to watch,’” said Amber Van Til, president and CEO of the Indiana banking community. “As a successful agribusiness banker, she has proven her ability to excel in both banking and agriculture, all while contributing time and talent to the community.”