Women In Banking Program 2025

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Women in Banking

October 2-3, 2025 

Celebrate 25 years of women leading the way at the Women in Banking Conference! You’ll experience two unforgettable days of inspiration, connection, and celebration. From powerful keynote sessions to engaging panels and meaningful networking, this milestone event will honor the past, elevate the present, and empower the future of women in banking.

Thursday, Oct. 2

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Registration + Support Susan G. Komen: Raffle for a Cure
Join us in supporting Susan G. Komen during Breast Cancer Awareness Month! We invite attendees to create and donate a basket for our raffle—think of fun prizes that lady bankers would love to win! Onsite, buy raffle tickets—5 for $10 or 15 for $20—and place them in the receptacle for the basket you want to win. All proceeds go to Susan G. Komen.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.Cultivating Happiness: Practical Tools for Lasting Joy
Elle Benson, Keynote Speaker
Discover how to bring more joy and positivity into your life in this inspiring session, which shares practical, science-backed strategies that anyone can use to boost well-being and create lasting happiness—at work and at home. Learn how small shifts in your mindset and daily habits can make a big difference and find out how humor can help you manage stress, adapt to change, and build resilience.
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Networking Lunch
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
• Top 10 Areas for Leadership Development - Anne Schutt, Midwestern Securities
• The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback - Amanda Sandner, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.Break
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
• Powering Through: Time Mastery & Productivity - Nellie Schlacter, evolv
• Managing Up: It’s OK to Manage Your Boss - Amanda Sandner, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.Break
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Economic Outlook 2025: What Bankers Need to Know
Kathleen Navin, Senior Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
This session will break down complex national and regional economic trends into clear, actionable insights that matter for your bank, your customers, and your community. Learn what the latest data means for your business decisions, discover emerging risks and opportunities, and gain a better understanding of how an evolving economic landscape could impact your institution. With a relatable style and deep expertise, this session is a must-attend for anyone looking to navigate the road ahead with confidence.
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Break - Open Bar
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Honoring Excellence: Women in Banking Award Ceremony
The Women in Banking Award Ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements with awards for Women of Impact, Woman on the Rise, and Woman of the Year. These honors celebrate the leadership and influence of women making significant contributions to the banking industry.
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.Networking Reception
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.Dinner at Your Leisure
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.Hospitality Suite & Acoustic Entertainment by Micah Walk

Friday, Oct. 3

7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Yoga to Support Illinois Bankers PAC
Join us for a rejuvenating yoga session led by Courtney Olson from First Bank Chicago and an Illinois Bankers PAC Board Member. For just $20, you’ll enjoy a relaxing class while supporting the Illinois Bankers PAC. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your well-being and contribute to a great cause! Sign up onsite.
7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.Breakfast Buffet
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Breakfast Session
How to be Customer Obsessed While Still Driving Shareholder Value
Laura Hamilton, SVP Equity Sales, Performance Trust
Learn how to turn market complexity into opportunity. In this session, you’ll get a clear, strategic framework for balancing customer obsession with financial performance. We’ll break down key banking industry trends into practical insights you can use—helping you sharpen your business acumen, improve cross-functional alignment, and drive sustainable growth. Walk away with tools to make smarter decisions, protect your bank’s independence, and lead with confidence in a competitive landscape.
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. PANEL – The Power of Women in Banking: Stories of Impact and Leadership
Moderated by Anne Schutt of Midwestern Securities Trading Company, LLC.
This session features four remarkable women who were each honored with banking awards last year—including Woman of the Year, Woman on the Rise, and Woman of Impact. Hear stories of overcoming challenges, driving meaningful change within their organizations and communities, and leadership lessons that have shaped their journeys.
Panelists include:
• Elizabeth Okey, Vice President - Community Impact, Wintrust Financial Corporation 
• Courtney Olson, SVP, Managing Director of Business Banking, First Bank Chicago 
• Ashley Speed, Vice President, Grundy Bank
• Denise Ward, Senior Vice President - Human Resource Officer, Central Bank Illinois 
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.Raffle for a Cure Winners Announced + Stretch Break
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Closing Keynote
The Infusion Revolution: How to Live, Lead & Succeed with Power + Heart
Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®, Psychotherapist and National Speaker
Back by popular demand! In this inspiring and energizing keynote, acclaimed psychotherapist and entrepreneur Joyce Marter invites you to join The Infusion Revolution—a bold movement to lead and live with both strength and soul. In the midst of “The Great Exhaustion,” Joyce offers a refreshing, science-backed path forward: one where success doesn’t mean sacrifice, and where ambition is fueled by empathy, resilience, and heart.

Drawing from 25 years of counseling thousands of clients, Joyce shares 12 powerful pillars of holistic success—six rooted in power (like abundance, vision, and resilience) and six in heart (like presence, compassion, and self-love). With humor, warmth, and deeply relatable stories, she’ll help you reframe burnout as a wake-up call and step into your next chapter with clarity and courage.

Speakers

Speakers

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Elle Benson

Author, Consultant,
Keynote Speaker
Nonprofit Leadership LLC

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Laura Hamilton

SVP Equity Sales Performance Trust

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Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®

Psychotherapist and National Speaker 

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Kathleen Navin, CBE

Senior Business Economist Federal Reserve Bank
of St. Louis 

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Elizabeth Okey

Vice President -
Community Impact
Wintrust Financial Corporation 

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Courtney Olson

SVP, Managing Director
of Business Banking
First Bank Chicago

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Amanda Sandner

Chief People Officer
Land of Lincoln
Goodwill Industries

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Nellie Schlacter

Director of Strategic Partnerships
evolv

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Anne Schutt

Vice President,
Business Development
Midwestern Securities

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Ashley Speed

Vice President
Grundy Bank

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Denise Ward

Senior Vice President - Human Resource Officer Central Bank Illinois 

Special Activities

Honoring Excellence: Women in Banking Award Ceremony

Thursday, 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Don't miss the 2nd annual Women in Banking Award Ceremony. We will recognize outstanding achievements by honoring women who are making significant contributions to the banking industry. These accolades celebrate leadership, influence, and impact across the industry.

View the 2025 Honorees

Raffle for a Cure supporting Susan G. Komen

(winners drawn Friday during break)

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Women in Banking Committee is proud to support Susan G. Komen through our annual Raffle for a Cure, held in loving memory of our dear colleague and friend, Amy Sale. For over 20 years, Amy was a beloved part of the IBA team — welcoming bankers, supporting events, and brightening every room with her warm smile and kind heart. Her behind-the-scenes dedication made a lasting impact on our members and organization. Purchase raffle tickets onsite to win your favorite basket—5 for $10 or 15 for $20. All proceeds will go directly to Susan G. Komen, showcasing our commitment to unity and generosity in the fight against breast cancer. Winners will be drawn on Friday, October 3 at 10:15 am. 

Professional Headshots

Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Capture your best professional look with a complimentary headshot. It's the perfect opportunity to update your LinkedIn profile, company website, or any professional materials.

Hospitality Suite 

Thursday, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Enjoy an acoustic performance by Micah Walk. Join us for a night of great music and camaraderie. A full bar and light snacks will be provided.

Yoga to Support Illinois Bankers PAC

Friday, 7:15 - 7:45 a.m.

We are incorporating two essentials – self-care and advocacy – in one fun event! Join us on Friday, October 3, at 7:15 a.m. for a 30-minute rejuvenating yoga session led by Courtney Olson, certified yoga instructor and Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Business Banking at First Bank Chicago. Enjoy the Zen while supporting an important industry cause and leave recharged and refreshed for another great day of learning and networking. Cost to attend is $20, benefitting Illinois Bankers PAC. Registration will also be taken onsite.

Interested? Click here to complete our form.

Resources

Presentation Materials

Cultivating Happiness: Practical Tools for Lasting Joy

Elle Benson, Keynote Speaker

Presentation

Top 10 Areas for Leadership Development

Anne Schutt, Midwestern Securities

Presentation

The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback

Amanda Sandner, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries

Presentation

Managing Up: It’s OK to Manage Your Boss

Amanda Sandner, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries

Presentation

Powering Through: Time Mastery & Productivity

Nellie Schlacter, evolv

Presentation

Economic Outlook 2025: What Bankers Need to Know

Kathleen Navin, Senior Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Presentation

How to be Customer Obsessed While Still Driving Shareholder Value

Laura Hamilton, SVP Equity Sales, Performance Trust

The Infusion Revolution: How to Live, Lead & Succeed with Power + Heart

Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®, Psychotherapist and National Speaker

Presentation

Additional Materials

CE Credit

Form

Education Flyer

View Flyer

Attendee List

View List

Sponsors

Sponsors

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Sponsorship opportunities available! Please contact Robin at rlane@illinois.bank.

Women in Banking Committee

Passionate about empowering women in the banking industry? Join the Women in Banking Committee and contribute to planning next year's Women in Banking Conference. For questions, contact Lyndee Fein.

Learn More

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