22 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021 Building the Capacity of Organizations; “Try, Try Again” by 2019-20 American Bankers Association Chair Laurie Stewart, president and CEO of Sound Financial Bancorp Inc.; and “Own It: Being a Woman in Banking” by Natalie Bartholomew, (#theGirlBanker) chief administrative officer and vice president of Grand Savings Bank, serving northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. The IBA Woman on the Rise Award was presented during the afternoon. Many outstanding women were nominated by their peers for this award, designed to celebrate a woman age 40 or younger who is making a significant impact in her industry and community. The winner of the 2020 IBA Woman on the Rise Award, sponsored by SmithAmundsen LLC, was Jessica Lehman from the Portland, Indiana, office of First Financial Bank, Cincinnati. Congratulations to Jessica, and to all of the outstanding nominees who are rising stars in the Indiana banking community. The prestigious IBA Woman of the Year Award, in its third year, saw an increase in women nominated by their peers. This award, sponsored by Krieg De Vault LLP, celebrates women in banking for their professional excellence, community engagement and the ability to support other women to reach their full potential. The winner of the 2020 Woman of the Year Award was Karen Gregerson of The Farmers Bank, Frankfort. Congratulations to Karen, and to all of the outstanding nominees who represent the finest in Indiana. Thank you to the planners, attendees, speakers and sponsors who made the IBA Banking on Women Conference a glowing success. Also thank you to all who participated in the silent auction for Ascent 121. With your help, we are proud to be able to support our community. The IBA looks forward to presenting its fourth annual Banking on Women Conference later this year, Nov. 3-4. See you then! HB Karen F. Gregerson, president and CEO of The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, has been honored with the 2020 IBA Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Krieg DeVault LLP, Indianapolis. This award recognizes a woman in banking who is active in the community, achievement-oriented and a contributor to team success. Gregerson joined The Farmers Bank as president and CEO in 2016, after 34 years of prior experience with STAR Bank, Fort Wayne. She is a board member of the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation and a director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. Gregerson also serves on the boards of organizations including the Clinton County United Way, IUK Clinton County, Partners in Progress, SHARP and PEPP. Additionally, she has been active with Girl Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and the United Way for Allen County. A certified public accountant, Gregerson earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and a master’s degree from Indiana Tech. In 2016, she was recognized as an Outstanding Woman in Banking by BankBeat magazine. HB Jessica Lehman, director of agribusiness banking at the Portland, Indiana, office of First Financial Bank, Cincinnati, has been honored with the IBA 2020 Woman on the Rise award, sponsored by SmithAmundsen LLC, Indianapolis. 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 experience with Farm Credit Mid-America 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. She has been active with 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 Farm Journal, 4-H and FFA. HB BancMac/Community Banc Mortgage Corporation Bankers’ Bank BKD CPAs & Advisors Crowe LLP Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis First Financial Bank, Cincinnati IBA Group Insurance Trust Independent Community Bankers of America IT Resource Inc. Lake City Bank, Warsaw K4 Architecture + Design The KeyState Companies Krieg DeVault LLP 4VSƤX 6IWSYVGIW -RG SmithAmundsen LLC
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