Hoosier Banker 15 Laurie A. Rees Vice President - Education & Training Indiana Bankers Association lrees@indiana.bank @Laurie1107 The Indiana Bankers Association continued with its successful hosting of the 2021 Banking on Women Conference. The event, held Nov. 3-4 at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing, surpassed prior-year attendance, with 338 women coming together for professional development, networking and inspiration. Attendees gathered mid-day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for registration, then delved into an afternoon packed with powerhouse presentations. Michael Zahn, 2021 IBA chairman, and president and CEO of First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, welcomed guests and offered opening remarks. Kristin Pruitt, chair of the conference planning committee and executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Lake City Bank, Warsaw, also welcomed guests and offered remarks on the uplifting spirit of the Banking on Women Conference. Afternoon sessions began with a presentation by the conference emcee Patty Hendrickson. In her presentation, “Getting Beyond Busy – Engaging Your Phenomenal Self and Those You Impact,” she interacted with the audience to showcase for attendees their phenomenal selves and their phenomenal impact on others. Ensuing presentations were “Diversity, Inclusion, and Hidden Bias,” presented by JoDee Curtis, Purple Ink LLC, and “Rock Your Life,” presented by Melanie Spring, Melanie Spring Productions. Tuesday rounded out with a lively reception featuring interactive food and beverage stations. Throughout the reception, attendees visited with service providers in the IBA exhibit area. New this year to the exhibit area was the IBA Future Leadership Division wine pull benefiting the IBA BANKPAC. Back by popular demand was the availability of a professional photographer, sponsored by K4 Architecture + Design. Stephanie Nicole Photography provided stunning headshots for attendees to update their social media brand and workplace websites. Another addition to the exhibit area was a fun photo booth sponsored by IT Resource Inc. Filled with silly hats, feather boas and humorous catch phrases, the booth provided a lighthearted means to bond with fellow bankers. The reception also gave guests an opportunity to bid on a treasure trove of items at a silent auction benefiting Ascent 121, a faith-based agency that provides longterm trauma recovery services for teen survivors of sex trafficking, along with an entire continuum of care. Named after Psalm 121, Ascent 121 has served over 200 survivors in Indiana since its establishment in 2013. After the reception, fellowship extended into the evening, as attendees sampled a variety of dine-arounds at local restaurants, where each attendee enjoyed a fine meal and the good company of other attendees from the conference. Wednesday, Nov. 4, began bright and early with a continental breakfast in the exhibit area, after which commenced a full day of learning, networking, engaging, connecting and empowering. Presentations included “Your Time to Rise: Leadership in the Unknown,” presented by Lindsay Boccardo, Lindsay Boccardo Training & Coaching; “The Silent Language of Leaders – The Power of Non-Verbal Communication,” by Linda Clemons, Sisterpreneur Inc.; and “Storytelling: The New Workplace Competency,” by JoDee Curtis, Purple Ink LLC. Wednesday’s luncheon also provided a new element to the conference – a panel discussion moderated by Amber Van Til, IBA president and CEO. The panel of female leaders, from varying communities and bank sizes, shared their stories of leadership from a woman’s perspective. The phenomenal panelists included: Lisa Arnold, president and CEO of Home Bank, Martinsville; Karen Gregerson, president and CEO of The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, and IBA’s 2020 Woman of the Year; Cindy L. Konich, president and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis; and Connie Bond Stuart, regional president for central and southern Indiana for PNC Bank, NA Wilmington, DE. The prestigious IBA Women of the Year Award, in its fifth year, saw an increase in women nominated by their peers. This award celebrates women in banking
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