VACB and ICBA were proud to jointly sponsor two Virginia community bankers to attend ICBA’s LeadFWD program this past September in Minnesota. LeadFWD is widely regarded as the premier event for emerging community bank leaders, offering young professionals the opportunity to strengthen their skills, expand their industry knowledge, and connect with peers from across the country. This year, Jake Allen of Benchmark Community Bank and Lauren Hicks of Pioneer Bank represented Virginia at the program, and we invited them to share their experiences and key takeaways with our membership. JAKE ALLEN — BENCHMARK COMMUNITY BANK Being selected to receive a VACB scholarship to attend ICBA’s LeadFWD Summit was a tremendous honor. Throughout my banking career, I’ve benefited greatly from my involvement with VACB, particularly through the Compliance Forum, which has served as the foundation of my compliance knowledge. This past August marked 10 years with the wonderful team at Benchmark Community Bank (BCB). During my time as BCB’s Compliance Officer, I’ve grown from a one-person compliance department to leading a team of six, responsible for oversight of consumer protection regulations, the Bank Secrecy Act, and fraud risk management. I am deeply grateful to BCB, VACB, and ICBA for investing in my professional development. Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel connected to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, the LeadFWD Summit delivered an exceptional lineup of inspirational speakers who provided practical strategies for strengthening relationships and leadership skills. Peer discussions offered valuable insights from bankers nationwide, and both the main-stage and breakout sessions covered timely topics including postal fraud schemes, CAMELS ratings, competitive risks associated with cryptocurrency, and emerging AI solutions. Dr. Miriam Kirmayer opened the conference with a powerful message about the importance of meaningful friendships and personal connections, both at home and in the workplace. She emphasized bridging the “real-ideal divide” by fostering genuine relationships. Later that day, Pat Dwyer brought energy and humor to his session on EMPOWERING EMERGING LEADERS Through LeadFWD 13 The Community Banker
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