American Bankers Association (ABA), Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) and Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) are joining together to host the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit for bankers nationwide. This virtual event is designed to help bankers become an agent of change for the banking industry and for the community. Winners of the ABA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards, honoring and recognizing an outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, leader and initiative, will be announced at the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit.

Why You Should Attend the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit

Be an Agent of Change

Master the leading practices to mitigate systemic biases that disadvantage marginalized groups.

Get Content that Fits Your Needs

Pick sessions that will nurture your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts – whether you’re looking to explore a new program, engage more fully, or elevate an existing initiative.

Cultivate a Network

Share stories with peers and learn deeper insights from experts.

Support Your Bank’s Bottom Line

A diverse working environment has a positive impact on a company’s financial performance.

Be a Bank Known as a “Best Place to Work”

Create a culture that is welcoming and equitable to all, and your bankers will thank you.

It’s a Smart Business Move

Be one of the banks making public commitments to fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and then follow through.

Registration & Fees

Individual Registration: $225

Group Registration (3-5 Attendees): $595

Click here to sign in and register through the American Bankers Association.

Please share any specific needs that should be considered as we plan for the conference (i.e. hearing impaired, sight impaired, etc). Please contact Chandler Owdom with any details.

Agenda & Session Information

12:30 PM – 1:40 PM

• Welcome
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award Winners

Opening Session: Keynote

The Challenges of Diversity – And How to Overcome Them

Let’s get real — fostering true diversity and inclusion is hard work. This keynote will assess real challenges and explain how you can overcome them to unlock the advantages of diversity, strengthening the power of your team in an actionable way.  

• Denise Hamilton, Author, Founder and CEO of WatchHerWork

1:40 PM – 1:50 PM

Break

1:50 PM – 2:35 PM

CONCURRENT STRATEGY SESSIONS

Board Succession Planning: Expand the Diversity of Your Bank’s Board

Don’t get left behind! Redefine the possibilities with game-changing research on diversity, featuring insights from Bank Director’s 2024 Governance Best Practices Survey. This session applies expert opinions to diversity strategies you can use to create change on your bank’s board.

• Emily McCormick, VP of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
• Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director

Inclusive Leadership: Unleashing the Potential of Emerging Leaders

Discover inclusive leadership practices that will help you cultivate meaningful change. This session will explore how to identify, develop and advocate for emerging leaders in your organization through a lens of equity and inclusion. Learn to avoid common management pitfalls, create professional development frameworks and implement coaching techniques.

• Mika Moser, Founder & CEO, At C Level Consulting Group

Financial Inclusion and Your Community

In this session, panelists will delve into how diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives can, and should, intersect with banks’ community-facing projects and collaborations with local organizations. Attendees will learn to integrate these principles to enhance community development efforts and offer customers tailored solutions for financial stability in alignment with Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) objectives.

• Dionne Blue, PhD – Chief Impact Officer – YWCA USA
• Christopher Gray, Vice President, Strategic Engagement, American Bankers Association
• Sui Lang L. Panoke, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Rethink International
• Moderator: Lindsay Torrico, SVP, Bank Community Engagement, ABA Executive Director, ABA Foundation

2:35 PM – 2:45 PM

Break

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

CONCURRENT STRATEGY SESSIONS

Banking on Multicultural Consumers and Small Businesses

Broad perspectives and insights are key for banks navigating communities that are increasingly multicultural. Find out how your bank can grow and participate in multicultural opportunities, and gain insights on how to communicate and partner with diverse consumers, develop marketing materials for different consumer segments and train your staff on inclusive interaction.

• David Femi, SVP, Business and Professional Banking Regional Manager, M&T Bank 

Harness Employee Resource Groups for Inclusive Excellence

Uncover the emerging platform that’s been driving diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This session facilitates a panel of bankers as they delve into the transformative impact Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have had in fostering a more inclusive workplace in their organizations. Put into practice new ways to enhance employee engagement, cultural understanding and business outcomes, all with the help of ERGs.

• Tishania M. Gist, SLT, Vice President, Manager of DEIB & Culture Engagement, Atlantic Union Bank
• Krys Lassiter, MBA, Manager, Fraud Prevention and Detection, USAA
• Maggie Rivera, Vice President, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion, Stearns Bank
• Aaron Tsang, Commercial Underwriter, Carter Bank

Navigate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Today’s Climate

This breakout session will focus on resources and strategies to maintain momentum in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, despite today’s climate. Hear from a policy expert about state-level legislation, a communications expert about the messaging around the subject, and a diversity, equity and inclusion expert on ways we can keep moving forward in impactful and compliant ways.

• Ben Feller, Communications Consultant, maslansky + partners
• Anthony Pardal, VP State Legislation, American Bankers Association
• Cathy Nestrick, VP Women’s Leadership and DEI, American Bankers Association
• Moderator: Joanna Shapiro, Chief Member Engagement Officer, American Bankers Association 

3:30 PM – 3:40 PM

Break

3:40 PM – 4:45 PM

Closing Session: Keynote

Transform Your Bank – One Mind at a Time

Jump-start your bank’s transformation with this fun and engaging program that focuses on key principles to engage team members in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. You will learn how intercultural communications can transform organizational culture so that all team members have a strong sense of belonging. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of intercultural competence and five key tools for greater impact. 

• Glen Guyton, Trainer, Speaker, and Cultural Competency Navigator 

4:45 PM

Conference Adjourn

After the event, all registered attendees will have access to the full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit recording.