Women in Banking October 2-3, 2025 Register Celebrate 25 years of empowering women in the industry at the Women in Banking Conference! Join us in Springfield October 2-3 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield, where trailblazers and emerging leaders from every corner of Illinois unite to celebrate, connect, and thrive together. This milestone event is packed with sessions—from practical tools for joy and resilience to expert insights on the economic outlook and networking opportunities—all designed to inspire growth and leadership at every level. Experience the energy of a community dedicated to empowerment, honor remarkable women in banking, and make a lasting impact by supporting the Raffle for a Cure benefiting Susan G. Komen. Conference Brochure Location Info Crowne Plaza Springfield3000 S Dirksen Pkwy. Springfield, Illinois 62703Get Directions Exhibit/Sponsor Download Here Thursday, October 2 Thursday, October 2 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Registration + Support Susan G. Komen: Raffle for a CureJoin us in supporting Susan G. Komen during Breast Cancer Awareness Month! We inviteattendees to create and donate a basket for our raffle—think of fun prizes that lady bankerswould love to win! Onsite, buy raffle tickets—5 for $10 or 15 for $20—and place them in thereceptacle 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 workand at home. Learn how small shifts in your mindset and daily habits can make a big difference and find outhow 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 KnowKathleen Navin, Senior Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisThis session will break down complex national and regional economic trends into clear, actionable insights that matter for your bank, your customers, and your community. Learnwhat the latest data means for your business decisions, discover emerging risks andopportunities, and gain a better understanding of how an evolving economic landscapecould impact your institution. With a relatable style and deep expertise, this session is amust-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 CeremonyThe Women in Banking Award Ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements withawards for Women of Impact, Woman on the Rise, and Woman of the Year. These honorscelebrate the leadership and influence of women making significant contributions to thebanking 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, October 3 Friday, October 3 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Yoga to Support Illinois Bankers PACJoin 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 LeadershipJoin us for an inspiring panel discussion 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 KeynoteThe Infusion Revolution: How to Live, Lead & Succeed with Power + Heart Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®, Psychotherapist and National SpeakerBack 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 Elle Benson Author, Consultant, Keynote SpeakerNonprofit Leadership LLC Laura Hamilton SVP Equity Sales Performance Trust Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP® Psychotherapist and National Speaker Kathleen Navin, CBE Senior Business Economist Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Elizabeth Okey Vice President - Community ImpactWintrust Financial Corporation Courtney Olson SVP, Managing Director of Business BankingFirst Bank Chicago Amanda Sandner Chief People OfficerLand of Lincoln Goodwill Industries Nellie Schlacter Director of Strategic Partnershipsevolv Anne Schutt Vice President, Business DevelopmentMidwestern Ashley Speed Vice PresidentGrundy Bank Denise Ward Senior Vice President - Human Resource Officer Central Bank Illinois Raffle for a Cure Event details Event details Hotel Accommodations Crowne Plaza Springfield3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, ILRoom Rate $125 plus tax | Good through September 17, 2025Online ReservationsGroup Code: D7B (217-529-7777, Option #1 for Reservations) Fee Per Person IBA Member $345 | Nonmember $495Special Registration Offer: Register three, and get the fourth FREE! Questions? education@illinois.bank217-789-9340 Sponsors Sponsors Sponsorship opportunities available! Please contact Robin at rlane@illinois.bank. Top 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 Back to Listing
Location Info Crowne Plaza Springfield3000 S Dirksen Pkwy. Springfield, Illinois 62703Get Directions Exhibit/Sponsor Download Here