Welcome to the Illinois Bankers Association

Women in Banking

July 16-17, 2026

The IBA Women in Banking Conference brings together professionals at every stage of their career for keynotes, leadership sessions, and conversations about the trends reshaping banking. Whether you're looking for new strategies, peer perspectives, or a push toward your next challenge, you'll find it here.

Agenda

THURSDAY, JULY 16
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Registration, Shop & Raffle - Ballroom Foyer In honor of Disability Pride Month, the Women in Banking Committee selected Hope as the 2026 Women in Banking Conference charity partner. 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 Hope.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Welcome - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom Emcee Anne Schutt, Midwestern Securities; Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher + IBA Chair Megan Collins, First Women’s Bank
10:45 a.m. – Noon	Opening Session: The Art of Building Relationships - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom Elise Powers, Founder, Eleview Consulting Bridge communication styles to build stronger, more authentic connections. This interactive session explores how embracing generational differences—and approaching work and relationships with humor and understanding—helps create genuine connection. Discover research-based strategies to build trust, network with confidence, and sustain meaningful relationships. You’ll also learn how to identify blind spots and exchange feedback in ways that inspire growth and strengthen trust.
Noon – 12:45 p.m.	Networking Lunch
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Tokenized Money: What’s Real, What’s Next - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom Brooke Ybarra, SVP Innovation and Strategy, American Bankers Association Tokenization is reshaping how money and financial assets move. Stablecoins and tokenized deposits are two of the most visible early applications, creating new opportunities and new questions for banks of all sizes. This session breaks down what’s real, what’s regulatory, and what’s coming next. You’ll get simple frameworks to understand tokenized money, practical examples of where the market is heading, and clear guidance on how your bank can engage safely and strategically. Walk away with the insights you need to navigate change and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Breakout Sessions - Attendee choice Managing a Multigenerational Workforce for Competitive Advantage - Sapphire Ballroom Abby Petersen, HC3 For the first time in history, up to five distinct generations are working side-by-side in financial institutions - one of the most complex leadership challenges facing today's financial executives. HC3 Director of HR, Abby Petersen shares proven strategies for bridging communication gaps, motivating diverse age groups, and creating a cohesive culture where employees are engaged and productive. AI Marketing Workshop - Diamond Ballroom Cammi Mitchell, Forbinfi AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews are redefining how people search online, shifting from link-based results to instant, conversational answers. For businesses this means traditional SEO tactics aren’t enough. This workshop will explore how AI-driven search impacts visibility, why structured, question-based content matters, and how to adapt your SEO and blogging strategies for hybrid discovery. Forbin will share actionable steps to optimize for both Google and AI platforms, helping ensure your content ranks, engages, and converts. Walk away with practical strategies to future-proof your marketing and stay visible in the age of AI search.
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	Breakout Sessions - Attendee choice The Real Cost of 81¢: Unpacking the Gender Wage Gap in Banking - Sapphire Ballroom Amanda Smith, Darling Consulting Group 81¢. A deceptively simple number. But this figure may be one of the most misunderstood metrics when it comes to women’s careers – especially in finance. 81¢ represents the national gender wage gap, yet for women in banking, the hard truth is that the gap is even wider… and over the past two years alone it has grown alarmingly. Why? How do we get this number? And what drives it? (Spoiler alert: it’s not what you may think.)The good news: there’s plenty that women in banking can do to address it. Join Amanda Smith of Darling Consulting Group as she illuminates the misconceptions and realities behind women’s “81 cents on the dollar,” and offers practical steps forward that bankers at every level can take to help advance women’s careers. Hold My Coffee—I’ve Got This™ - Diamond Ballroom Jill Moss, Farmers State Bank Ready to stop waiting until you feel “100% ready”? This high-energy session will show you how to build confidence through action, speak with greater influence, and step into new opportunities with purpose. Using real-world banking examples and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to strengthen your presence, communicate with impact, and contribute more confidently — starting right away. Walk away with tools you can use immediately to grow your career and show up at your best.
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Break
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Honoring Excellence: Women in Banking Award Ceremony - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom 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.
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.	Networking & Celebration Reception - Ballroom Foyer

FRIDAY, JULY 17
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast Buffet
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	The Human Weirdness Navigation Journey! - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom Steve Thomas In this laugh-out-loud, highly relatable keynote, audiences explore the quirks, patterns every day “weirdness” that make us human—and sometimes make working together a challenge. Blending humor, real-life examples, and a touch of neuroscience, this session unpacks why people think, communicate, and behave the way they do. Attendees will gain fresh perspective and practical insight to better understand themselves and others, strengthen relationships, and navigate workplace dynamics with more clarity, patience, and a lot more humor.
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	Break
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	PANEL – Women in Banking: Stories of Impact and Leadership - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom 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: Kathy S. Kincaid, Carrollton Bank (2025 Woman of Impact) Samantha Patrick, INB, National Association (2025 Woman on the Rise) Kathy Yocum, Stillman Bank (2025 Woman of the Year) Lora Kalka, FNBC Bank & Trust (2025 Recognition of Excellence)
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Charity Raffle Winners Announced + Stretch Break - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom
11:00 a.m. – Noon	Closing Session: Own Your P.A.T.H. - Emerald/Ruby Ballroom April Lewis, MBA, Combat Veteran \| Certified Executive Coach Leadership & Workplace Culture Expert You spent the last two days learning, connecting, and being challenged. Now it is time to decide what you are going to do with it when you get back to your office. In this powerful closing keynote, April Lewis ties it all together with one simple truth: everything you gained only matters if you own what happens next. Through her signature P.A.T.H. Forward methodology, you will walk out of this room with a clear purpose, an honest assessment of where you are, and the exact steps to perform at the level you know you are capable of. You already have what it takes. Now it is time to OWN IT.

Speakers

Misty Buscher

Springfield Mayor

Megan Collins

IBA Chair
First Women’s Bank

Elise Powers

Keynote Speaker
Founder
Eleview Consulting

April Lewis, MBA

Keynote Speaker
Combat Veteran
Certified Executive Coach
Leadership & Workplace Culture Expert

Lora Kalka

FNBC
2025 Recognition of Excellence Honoree

Kathy S. Kincaid

Carrollton Bank
2025 Woman of Impact

Cammi Mitchell

Forbinfi

Jill Moss

Farmers State Bank

Samantha Patrick

INB
2025 Woman on the Rise

Abby Petersen

HC3

Anne Schutt

VP of Business Development Midwestern Securities
Director & Private Wealth Advisor, Fortress Wealth Planning Group

Amanda Smith

Darling Consulting

Steve Thomas

Leadership Speaker
Workforce Development

Brooke Ybarra

SVP Innovation & Strategy
American Bankers Association

Kathy Yocum

Stillman Bank
2025 Woman of the Year

Special Activities

Honoring Excellence: Women in Banking Award Ceremony

Thursday, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Don't miss the 3rd 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.

Charity Raffle supporting Hope

(winners drawn Friday during break)

In honor of Disability Pride Month, the Women in Banking Committee selected Hope as the 2026 Women in Banking Conference charity partner. For nearly 70 years, Hope has been dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, fulfilling lives through education, employment services, therapies, residential supports, and community-based programs. Their mission is simple yet powerful: supporting individuals and families in achieving optimum growth, independence, and joy. Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to support Hope by participating in our annual charity raffle and making donations during the event.

Purchase raffle tickets onsite to win your favorite basket—5 for $10 or 15 for $20. All proceeds will go directly to Hope. Winners will be drawn on Friday, July 17 at 10:30 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.

Resources

Presentation Materials

The Art of Building Relationships

Elise Powers, Founder, Eleview Consulting

Request Presentation

Tokenized Money: What’s Real, What’s Next

Brooke Ybarra, SVP Innovation and Strategy, American Bankers Association

Presentation

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce for Competitive Advantage

Abby Petersen, HC3

Presentation

AI Marketing Workshop

Cammi Mitchell, Forbinfi

Presentation

The Real Cost of 81¢: Unpacking the Gender Wage Gap in Banking

Amanda Smith, Darling Consulting Group

Request Presentation

Hold My Coffee—I’ve Got This™

Jill Moss, Farmers State Bank

Presentation

The Human Weirdness Navigation Journey!

Steve Thomas, Culture Expert

View Website

Closing Session: Own Your P.A.T.H.

April Lewis, MBA, Combat Veteran | Certified Executive Coach Leadership
& Workplace Culture Expert

Request Presentation

Additional Materials

Women In Banking Program 2026

Women in Banking

Agenda

Speakers

Speakers

Misty Buscher

Megan Collins

Elise Powers

April Lewis, MBA

Lora Kalka

Kathy S. Kincaid

Cammi Mitchell

Jill Moss

Samantha Patrick

Abby Petersen

Anne Schutt

Amanda Smith

Steve Thomas

Brooke Ybarra

Kathy Yocum

Special Activities

Honoring Excellence: Women in Banking Award Ceremony

Thursday, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Charity Raffle supporting Hope

(winners drawn Friday during break)

Professional Headshots

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

Resources

Presentation Materials

The Art of Building Relationships

Tokenized Money: What’s Real, What’s Next

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce for Competitive Advantage

AI Marketing Workshop

The Real Cost of 81¢: Unpacking the Gender Wage Gap in Banking

Hold My Coffee—I’ve Got This™

The Human Weirdness Navigation Journey!

Closing Session: Own Your P.A.T.H.

Additional Materials

CE Credit

Education Flyer

Attendee List

Sponsors

Sponsors

Women in Banking Committee

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