Celebrate 25 years of empowering women in the industry at the Women in Banking Conference! Join us October 2-3 for inspiring sessions, meaningful connections, and a special awards ceremony recognizing trailblazing leaders in banking.

IBA Women in Banking Awards
Award winners will be announced at the IBA Women in Banking Conference on Thursday, October 2, 2025. 
Nominate a colleague to be honored in 2025 for one of these awards:
• IBA Woman of the Year
• IBA Woman on the Rise
• IBA Women of Impact

2025 Program

Thursday, October 2

Thursday, October 2
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Registration
10:30 a.m. Welcome & Introductions
Emcee: Anne Schutt, Vice President, Business Development, Midwestern
Securities Trading Company
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. Walk away with easy-to-use tools and real-life examples that will help you feel happier, more fulfilled, and ready to thrive.
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
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
• Managing Up: It’s OK to Manage Your Boss - Amanda Sandner, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries
• Powering Through: Time Mastery & Productivity - 
Nellie Schlacter, evolv
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

Take an engaging and practical look at the economic forces shaping banking in 2025. 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.
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. – 10:30 p.m. Hospitality Suite with Entertainment

Friday, October 3

Friday, October 3
7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Optional Activity - TBA
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 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.
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. PANEL – The Power of Women in Banking: Stories of Impact and Leadership
• Denise Ward, Senior Vice President - Human Resource Officer, Central Bank Illinois 
• Ashley Speed, Vice President, Grundy Bank
• Elizabeth Okey, Vice President - Community Impact, Wintrust Financial Corporation 
• Courtney Olson, SVP, Managing Director of Business Banking, First Bank Chicago 
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. From Surviving to Thriving: Refresh & Reboot with Mental Fitness
Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®, Psychotherapist and National Speaker
This session offers a refreshing and inspiring opportunity to break free from the grip of chronic stress and embrace true resilience. Harness the power of daily mental fitness practices, helping you shift along the mental health continuum from struggling or surviving to genuinely thriving. Discover the benefits of simple mindfulness techniques that can be used right away. You’ll leave with a practical toolkit of mental fitness exercises and valuable mental health resources, ready to strengthen your capacity to cope with challenges and achieve greater success both at work and at home. Refresh, reboot, and reclaim your well-being with strategies you’ll use for a lifetime.

Hotel Accommodations

Crowne Plaza Springfield
3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL
Room Rate $125 plus tax | Good through September 17, 2025
Online Reservations
Group Code: D7B (217-529-7777, Option #1 for Reservations)

Fee Per Person

IBA Member $345 | Nonmember $495
Special Registration Offer: Register three, and get the fourth FREE!

Questions? education@illinois.bank
217-789-9340

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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.

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