The Connect|Protect Experience is an event for marketing, HR, retail baking, training, security, ERM, operations and technology and compliance professionals that will uncover new ideas, trends and developments in banking.

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Conference Agenda

Monday, March 3, 2025 *

1:00 pm                      Registration Open

2:00 – 3:30 pm         Project Management Fundamentals Melissa Hicks, PMP | Chesapeake Bank

3:30 – 4:15 pm         Banker Roundtables (Please note: This session is for bankers only)

• ​Compliance Roundtable
• Human Resources Roundtable
• Marketing Roundtable
• Operations & Technology Roundtable
• Retail Roundtable
• Security & ERM Roundtable
• Training Roundtable

4:15 – 5:00 pm         Exhibitor Speed Dating

5:00 – 6:00 pm         Welcome Reception
                                      SPONSORED BY ABM AI

*Agenda Topics and Speakers Subject to Change

Tuesday, March 4, 2025*

7:30 - 8:30 am           Registration & Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors

8:30 – 8:45 am           Welcome | Announcements | Sponsor Introductions

8:45 - 9:45 am           Themes and Trends in Consumer Financial Decision Making Chuck Howard, PhD | University of Virginia – Darden School of Business

Why do consumers underpredict their future spending? Why do gig economy workers overpredict their future income? What consequences do these mistakes have, and how can they be avoided? In this session, Dr. Chuck Howard will discuss how consumers make financial decisions in the digital age, why those decision often go awry, and what you can do about it. 

9:45 – 10:00 am           Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall

10:00 – 11:00 am         Breakout Sessions

• Hot Topics in Employment Law for 2025 (HR) – Tevis Marshall | Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
• Tips and Tricks for Doing More with Less (Training) – Clare Marsch | American Bankers Association
• Virginia Legal Update & Deep Dive on Elder Financial Abuse (Compliance & ERM) – DeMarion Johnston | Virginia Bankers Association
• The Art & Science of Effective Customer Communications (Retail & Marketing) – Dr. Chuck Howard | University of Virginia Darden School of Business
• The End of FFIEC CAT (Security, Operations, Technology) – Laura Zannucci | SBS CyberSecurity

11:00 – 11:20 am          Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall

11:20 – 12:20 pm          Breakout Sessions

• Some Assembly Required: The 3C Model for Growth and Development (HR, Training, Retail) – Ned Pauley | The Signify Group
• Marketing Trends (Marketing) – Amber Farley | Financial Marketing Solutions
• Managing Third-Party AI Risk: What You Need to Know Today (Operations, Technology, Security, ERM) – Chinyere Watson | Ncontracts
• Compliance Issues Challenging Banks (Compliance) – Margaret Dolinger & Michelle Strickland | Thomas Compliance Associates

12:20 – 1:20 pm           Lunch

1:20 – 2:20 pm             Breakout Sessions

• Check Fraud Today: Landscape, Technology, and Best Practices (Retail, Security) – John Ravita | SQN Banking Systems
• Safe and Responsible Use of AI in Bank Marketing (Marketing) - Joe Kubek | ABM AI
• Supervisors and Managers: The Keys to Proper HR Compliance (HR) - Josh Ard | Dominion Payroll 
• Crafting the Connection: Meeting your New Hire’s Most Important Needs (Training) - Ned Pauley | The Signify Group
• The Virtual Card Environment, Digital Issuance POV from a Test Bank and Virtual Card Panel (Operations, Technology) - Leslie Richardson | C&F Bank & Megan Wiseman | Chesapeake Bank
• From Risk-Averse to Risk-Smart: Strategies for Cultivating a Culture of Risk (Compliance, ERM) – Niki White | SRA Watchtower

2:20 – 2:40 pm             Networking Break in Exhibit the Hall

2:40 – 3:40 pm             Breakout Sessions

• Beyond Prompts: The 5 Ways to Build Human-AI Relationships that Get Things Done (HR) - Paul Carney | Carter Bank
• Budgets are Tight. Be Intentional. (Marketing) – Emily Riecke | Rivel Banking Research
• Using AI To Develop A Culture of Continuous Learning (Training) – Dave Romero & Rebecca Nittolo | Unboxed Training & Technology
• Section 1033 – Personal Financial Data Rights (Compliance) – Matt Jones | Compliance Alliance
• Check Fraud and Robbery (Retail, Operations, Technology, Security, ERM) – Stefan Hinds | United States Postal Inspection Service

3:40 – 4:00 pm             Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall 

4:00 – 4:30 pm             Industry Update Bruce Whitehurst | Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association

4:30 – 6:00 pm             Networking Reception
                                          SPONSORED BY Works24

*Agenda Topics and Speakers Subject to Change

Wednesday, March 5, 2025*

7:00 – 8:00 am          Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors

8:00 – 8:10 am          Welcome | Announcements

8:10 - 9:10 am          Banking in the Age of Generative AI Jim Perry | Market Insights, Inc.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been evolving for 80 years, but the advent of ChatGPT and the science of Generative AI is redefining what it means to live and work in an augmented and automated age. This session explores how banking can leverage this technology to enhance efficiency, security, and personalization. Learn how to navigate the challenges, adopt key use cases and seize the opportunities presented by this new era. Participants will learn about:

• Generative AI’s capabilities and limitations
• Practical use cases for community based financial institutions
• Ways to maintain customer trust while leveraging AI tools
• How to foster a culture that can adapt and work effectively alongside AI technologies

9:10 - 9:25 am         Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall

9:25 – 10:25 am       Breakout Sessions (Please note: This session is for bankers only)

• ​Compliance Roundtable
• Human Resources Roundtable
• Marketing Roundtable
• Operations & Technology Roundtable
• Retail Roundtable
• Security & ERM Roundtable
• Training Roundtable

10:25 – 10:45 am          Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall

10:45 - 11:00 am          Sponsor Prize Drawings

10:55 – 11:55 am          Closing Keynote: Executive Performance Alan Dow, M.D. | Envoy
                                          SPONSORED BY PWCampbell

As uncertainty for the future continues to dominate the thinking of leaders and employees, this talk covers the techniques to deploy to reduce ambient stress and improve healthy decision-making in organizations. Pandemics, economic crises, intense political and social tensions. These past few years have put many of us on a survival setting but risk burnout unless we can channel energies appropriately. Curating the best in mental well-being, public health, and employee engagement strategies, we address the “six fatigues” – physical, mental, emotional, inactivity, social, and purpose fatigues – with techniques to create energy for optimal executive decision-making and creating organizational environments for sustainable team performance.

*Topics and speakers are subject to change.

Meet the Speakers

Josh Ard
Director of Business Development | Dominion Payroll

Josh Ard is the Director of Business Development for DP Boost HR and DP Assist with Dominion Payroll. As the Director of Business Development, Josh drives the development and growth of the HR Advisory Service, DP Boost HR, and the Managed Payroll Service, DP Assist.

Josh is a SHRM Certified HR Professional and trusted advisor with extensive knowledge of state and federal employment compliance, labor relations, policy implementation, OSHA training, and HR software solutions. This experience has allowed Josh to serve as a strategic HR business partner, helping owners and executives achieve and maintain operational efficiency while mitigating HR risks.

He has participated in speaking and training opportunities with many industry associations, committees and management groups throughout the southeast. Josh is located in the Dominion Payroll Carolinas office in Columbia, SC, where he resides with his wife, two daughters and his Boxer, Gracie!

Paul Carney
Chief Human Resources Officer | Carter Bank

Paul Carney brings a unique perspective to the AI revolution, drawing from his 30-year journey across technology, business, training, and human resources. As the CHRO of Carter Bank and a tech entrepreneur, he bridges the pivotal gap between human potential and artificial intelligence. Author of “Move Your Æ(ash): Know, Grow, and Show Your Career Value” and a certified AI Expert™ and AI Prompt Engineer™, Paul combines deep technical expertise with practical HR wisdom. His training on human-AI collaboration helps organizations navigate the complexities of AI adoption while maintaining their human-centric values.

Based in Oak Ridge, NC, Paul brings the same passion for continuous learning to his personal life, having earned the prestigious Level 2 Award in Wine alongside his wife and business partner, Lisa. This dedication to mastery, whether in technology or life’s pleasures, defines his approach to building successful human-AI relationships.

Margaret Dolinger
Compliance Consultant & Fair Lending Specialist | Thomas Compliance Associates

A veteran Virginia banker for over 30 years whose compliance focus centers on the loan side and the many components of Fair Lending, Margaret Dolinger’s ability to analyze credit data, operational processes, branch performance and support fraud investigation research positions her strategically well in the TCA compliance support spectrum.

Ms. Dolinger also has held credit analyst, mortgage quality control and escrow positions – all with a Fair Lending overtone – at banks, mortgage companies and title companies in Virginia.
Subject matter expert at TCS is in Fair Lending laws and Community Reinvestment Act, Ms. Dolinger enjoys assisting banks in seeking opportunities in outreach efforts to fulfill community credit needs.

Amber Farley
Partner & EVP | FMS

Amber Farley, Partner & EVP of Brand Development at FMS, is a well-known and respected teacher, presenter, consultant and thought leader on bank branding, marketing and leadership strategies for banks around the country. She strategizes ways to help banks be purpose-driven, inspirational and more relevant to today’s customer—including both internal and external customers, and regularly presents and teaches at national banking schools, banking conferences, and other statewide banking institutions.

Melissa Hicks
VP, Project Program Manager | Chesapeake Bank

Melissa Hicks currently serves as the Project Program Manager for Chesapeake Bank. With over 21 years of banking experience, including the last 6 years in project management, she has successfully managed multiple complex bank projects such as an acquisition, online banking conversion, and deposit account opening conversion. Melissa earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2021. Her expertise lies in waterfall project management, complemented by an understanding of agile methodology. Melissa excels in problem-solving, stakeholder communication, risk mitigation, and planning. Known affectionately as the “cat herder,” she has a knack for bringing order to chaos. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors with her family—her husband Nathan of 22 years, and their two children, Tyler and Emily. She loves hiking, traveling, and has recently become an indoor plant enthusiast.

Stefan Hinds
Postal Inspector | United States Postal Inspection Service

Stefan Hinds is a Postal Inspector with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) assigned to the Washington Division, Richmond Domicile. Postal Inspector Hinds conducts federal investigations involving financial fraud and violent crimes involving the use of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Postal Inspector Hinds routinely investigates crimes involving mail theft, identity theft, check fraud, and cyber-crime. Postal Inspector Hinds has led several high profile investigations involving the robbery and assault of USPS Letter Carriers in Richmond, Williamsburg, Hampton, and Norfolk. Postal Inspector Hinds was a core member of the United States Attorney’s Office, Newport News Division Pandemic Fraud Surge, comprised of members from USPIS, IRS-CID, DOL-OIG, US Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Postal Inspector Hinds has received Public Service Awards from the United States Attorney’s Office, Richmond Division and United States Attorney’s Office, Newport News Division in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

Dr. Chuck Howard
Associate Professor of Business Administration | University of Virginia Darden School of Business

Dr. Chuck Howard is an expert in consumer financial decision making. In the research he conducts with banks, credit unions, and FinTech apps, he answers questions like: Why do consumers overpredict their future income and underpredict their future spending? Why do consumers consistently overspend on payday? Why do so many people fail to stay on budget? He then designs simple solutions to these problems that are easy for financial institutions to implement at scale. Dr. Howard’s research has received numerous awards and accolades, and his commentary has been featured on outlets such as CNN, NPR Marketplace, The Conversation, and The Brainy Business Podcast.

DeMarion Johnston
General Counsel | Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association

DeMarion serves as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association and of the Virginia Bankers Association. As chief legal officer, she provides strategic legal advice, manages legal risks, manages corporate governance, oversees compliance with laws and regulations, reviews and negotiates contracts, and represents the Associations and their subsidiaries in legal matters. DeMarion possesses expertise in administrative, banking, business, non-depository financial services, and insurance law. Previously, she served as Associate General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel of the Virginia State Corporation Commission advising and representing the Commission and its divisions, primarily the Bureau of Financial Institutions, Bureau of Insurance, and Office of the Clerk. She represented Commission staff in adjudicatory litigation and regulatory proceedings, and represented the Commission before state and federal courts and agencies. She is experienced in the state and federal regulation of banks and non-depository financial institutions, drafting regulations and legislation, and advocacy. DeMarion has also spent time in the private practice of law and with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Matt Jones
Compliance Advisor | Compliance Alliance

Matt Jones is a Compliance Advisor at Compliance Alliance, bringing over 20 years of banking experience. Prior to joining Compliance Alliance, he served as Senior Vice President, Deposit Compliance Officer and Information Security Officer for a community bank where we played a key role in managing compliance activities. He also served as strategic leader for business continuity and disaster recovery planning, information security and third-party risk management. Throughout his career, he has overseen functions such as SAR committees, internal audits and consumer compliant programs with a focus on regulatory compliance.

Like many of C/As advisors, Matt’s journey in banking started at the ground level as a teller and includes many branch functions such as personal banker, operational specialist and operations manager before moving into Compliance. His hands-on experience across multiple areas of banking provides him with a well-rounded perspective, making him a trusted resource for financial institutions navigating today’s regulatory landscape.

Joe Kubek
Solutions Engineer – Microsoft and AI | ABM AI

Joe Kubek is a Solutions Engineer with ABM AI. He has nearly a decade of experience in the technology field, mostly with Microsoft. He has been mentored by some of the brightest AI and Microsoft engineers the industry has to offer and has landed with ABM AI as part of their engineering team building AI and Copilot solutions for customers. Joe was training to be a teacher during his formal education and loves having the ability to help and educate business owners and stakeholders on what technology can do for them and their customers. He is passionate about technology and solving tough problems with creative solutions that help people first!

Clare Marsch
Former SVP Training & Development | American Bankers Association

Clare is an experienced learning & development professional who led the American Bankers Associations training development and delivery operations for the past 16 years. Prior to that, Clare directed consulting teams in technology-forward organizations specializing in designing organizational learning efficiency and effectiveness.

Tevis Marshall
Attorney | Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Tevis Marshall is a founding member of Ogletree Deakins’ Richmond office and focuses his practice on all aspects of traditional employment law. He regularly advises employers on a broad range of workplace issues, including regulatory compliance, personnel policies, hiring, disciplining, terminating, reasonable accommodations, FMLA leave and workplace investigations. He also litigates employment cases around the country.

Rebecca Nittolo
VP, Client Strategy and Innovation | Unboxed Training & Technology

With over 25 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, Rebecca is a highly accomplished, inspirational leader who partners with sales and training leaders to build creative solutions that deliver value and results.  

Early in her pharma career, Rebecca was an award-winning sales representative and district sales manager. She led the launch of sales teams, new indications, and new products as a sales trainer and training manager. This experience combined with her leadership qualities and authenticity helped her transition into a trusted and respected industry partner. Rebecca has spearheaded countless award-winning training and leadership development programs, never settling for the status quo. Rebecca’s gift for developing talent is what makes her teams so strong. She brings out the best in people, creating an environment where innovation takes the lead, and the options are limitless. 

Ned Pauley
President and Founder | The Signify Group

Ned Pauley has served in the banking industry for over 20 years. Most recently he was an Executive Consultant and Director of Organization Development for Haberfeld. In that role he spoke and consulted with banks all over the country on topics of leadership, sales, hiring, employee engagement and customer engagement. He is now the founder and President of The Signify Group, dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organizations become Better Connectors through meaningful relational interaction. He is the creator of That Question Book, (thatquestionbook.com), a resource for creating better relationships through conversational questions, with close to 20 different editions in print. Ned and his wife Kelley reside in Nebraska along with their three married children and spouses.

Jim Perry
Senior Strategist | Market Insights, Inc.

Jim Perry is Senior Strategist at Market Insights, a consulting firm that uses customized research and data analytics to help financial institutions clarify strategic choices and find new ways to grow. Jim has consulted with financial institutions throughout the United States. He has been included on Onalytica’s list of “Top 100 Fintech Influencers” and has presented at state, regional, national, and international conferences. He has also shared his insights as a guest on top industry podcasts such as Breaking Banks, Banking Transformed Podcast, One Vision, and American Banker Podcast; and is one of the founders of the Fintech Book Club. In 2024, Jim joined the board of the National Alliance for Financial Literacy and Inclusion. Thousands of community banks and credit unions follow his daily social media posts and weekly emails for industry trends and the latest news on mergers, fintech, AI/GenAI, marketing and much more. He was cited by Deluxe as one of the 20 leaders in modern banking that every community banker should follow. As a consultant, trainer and public speaker, Jim is known for making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to apply.

John Ravita
Director, Business Development | SQN Banking Systems

John Ravita is a seasoned Fintech executive with 35 years of experience in Fintech Business Development including 15 years of focus in fraud, risk and compliance. He has worked with core processors, CUSOs, payments processors and other technology firms to deliver forward thinking, valued based solutions to institutions and partners large and small. As an executive with firms such as eFunds, FIS, Fortress Risk Management and SQN Banking Systems, he has worked consultatively to define and deliver risk management products to large global institutions as well as community banks and credit unions. His experience includes both direct sales and channel/partner development. Mr. Ravita is also a Managing Director for S3 Partners, a sales, strategy and solutions consultancy that is engaged with several domestic and off-shore Fintech and Regtech organizations.

Leslie Richardson
AVP Operations Supervisor – Card Services | C&F Bank

I began my banking career right out of high school with a local community bank. With them, I
spent my first two years learning all I could about bank operations. From filing documents and account maintenance I quickly transitioned to debit cards, ATM’s, and ACH. The next three years I spent with them learning different programs and processes with merchant services, along with risk and underwriting.

The past four years I have had the pleasure to grow with another community bank; C&F Bank.
While in my role, I have been focusing directly on ATM’s and all things related to debit cards. With the changing of technology and increase in fraud, I have found myself on many different projects such as updating dispute systems and workflows as well as transitioning cards to contactless chips and implementing digital issuance.

Emily Riecke
Consultant | Rivel Banking Research

Emily works to establish partnerships with bank and credit union leadership using customer and prospect benchmark report data to help assess, tailor and track their marketing, customer retention and expansion strategies.

Previously, Emily served as a senior account executive for Gartner focused on banking, finance and insurance. There she worked with mid-sized enterprises and their technology leaders to solve pressing challenges. She specialized in partnering with CIOs and C-level executives as a strategic partner to understand their business priorities. Emily graduated from Louisiana State University in 2020 with a BS in management and a minor in entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing her MBA at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.

Dave Romero
President | Unboxed Training & Technology

Dave Romero is the President and Co-Founder of Unboxed Training & Technology. He has over 25 years of experience architecting and implementing training content and technology solutions for companies like Atlantic Union Bank, PNC Bank, M&T Bank, and Capital One. Dave and his team at Unboxed specialize in helping companies maximize the potential of their employees by implementing a culture of continuous learning and skill development.

Michelle Strickland
CRCM, Co-President/Managing Partner | Thomas Compliance Associates

Michelle Strickland brings a wealth of commercial, consumer and residential loan compliance to her position at TCA, Thomas Compliance Associates, Inc.

Like many now senior compliance officers, Ms. Strickland began her banking career on the teller line, but her early career also included consumer, residential and secondary market loan processing. Her next step up was as a systems administrator for six bank branches; Ms. Strickland’s responsibilities included customizing the bank’s loan origination systems.

Ms. Strickland’s most recent experience, at a large Indiana bank, included responsibility for three operational areas: loan servicing; commercial loan processing and documentation; and residential and consumer loan processing and documentation. Her duties included the preparation of Risk Assessments on loan operations functional areas, vendor relationships, pipeline reports and, of course, regulatory compliance. Ms. Strickland joined TCA in early 2014.

Chinyere Watson
Third-Party Risk Expert | Ncontracts

Chinyere Watson is a seasoned third-party risk professional with extensive experience in regulatory risk management for financial institutions. As the Third-Party Risk Expert for Ncontracts, she specializes in ensuring that products comply with the latest regulatory requirements, providing strategic advice on compliance and effectiveness. Chinyere is adept at managing operational risks, a crucial aspect of overseeing third-party services, and excels in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with vendor relationships. With over 15 years of experience, Chinyere has built a distinguished career at major institutions including Bank of America, Stewart Title, and USAA. Her expertise includes managing complex international vendor relationships, designing effective policies, and leading the Vendor Management Office (VMO). At these organizations, she developed and implemented robust risk management frameworks and operational controls, enhancing organizational resilience. Highly regarded for her strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and capability to lead comprehensive risk and compliance initiatives, Chinyere Watson is a respected leader in the field of third-party risk management.

 

Niki White
Chief Growth Officer | SRA Watchtower

Niki is the Chief Growth Officer for SRA Watchtower and has over 20 years experience in Enterprise Risk Management, Capital Management, Audit and Tax. Prior to SRA Watchtower, Ms. White was the SVP Chief Risk Officer and Controller for First Capital Bank where she led the implementation of ERM and Capital Planning, updating of the COSO framework, and enhancement of the internal audit program to align with the ERM risk structure. She led the expansion of the ALCO Committee reporting and training, and oversaw the management of interest rate risk and liquidity as enhanced forecasting and analysis. Prior to First Capital, she was an Audit Manager for Yount Hyde & Barbour where she supported clients through the development and execution of risk and audit strategies. Prior to Yount Hyde, she was a Tax Associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers where she supported clients through corporate tax and multi-state tax issues. Ms. White is a Certified Public Accountant and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Pennsylvania State University. She also earned a Certificate in Leadership from University of Virginia, Darden Executive Education Program and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Bruce Whitehurst
President & CEO | Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association

Following a 10-year career in retail and commercial banking, Bruce joined the Virginia Bankers Association in 1993, its 100th anniversary year. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the association since 2007 and was previously executive vice president. Bruce also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association, which was formed in July 2024 to combine the Maryland Bankers Association’s and VBA’s organizations and operations.

While at the VBA, Bruce has worked with member banks in a variety of areas, to include government relations, education and training, financial literacy, and partnering with banks in a number of innovative ways to help them enter new lines of business. He also speaks about and on behalf of the industry on a regular basis.

As a banking industry advocate, Bruce is active at the national level. He served on the American Bankers Association’s Regulatory Reform Task Force during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and served as an ABA Board member and chairman of the Alliance of State Bankers Associations in 2012-2013. He has also served on several other committees and councils at the national level.

Committed to serving his community, Bruce is a director of and has chaired United Methodist Family Services in Richmond, VA and the Virginia Council on Economic Education.

Bruce received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William & Mary, his MBA from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.

Megan Wiseman
AVP, Digital Platforms Manager | Chesapeake Bank

Megan Wiseman, CPM, is the Digital Platforms Manager at Chesapeake Bank. Since 2020 she has been instrumental in transforming the bank’s digital landscape, with a particular focus on customer-centric innovation. Megan led the introduction of Chesapeake Bank’s custom built virtual debit card, a mobile wallet-compatible digital experience that won her team the Q2 Circle of Excellence Award for Agility in 2023. Megan’s dedication to innovation and customer experience has created an opportunity for customers to safely enter the next phase in digital banking.

Laura Zannucci
Senior Information Security Consultant | SBS CyberSecurity

Laura Zannucci is a Senior Information Security Consultant at SBS CyberSecurity (SBS), a company dedicated to helping organizations identify and understand cybersecurity risks to make more informed and proactive security decisions. She also serves as the Information Security Officer (ISO) for the company.

Laura maintains her Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and Certified DataPrivacy Security Engineer (CDPSE) certifications. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is a graduate of the Southeastern School of Banking.

Laura has been involved in the financial services industry since 1993, serving in a variety of roles, including Information Security Officer, Internal Auditor, and Deposit and Loan Operations Manager. She joined the SBS team in 2015 with an extensive background in information security practices in banking.

Registration Information

Registration Rates	Member	Non-Member
Through February 7, 2025	$675	$1,175
February  8-March 3, 2025	$695	$1,195
License up 10 people	$6,000	$6,500
License up to 20 people	$8,500	$9,000

Register Now!

Hotel Information

Williamsburg Lodge
310 S England St
Williamsburg, VA 23185

The VBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Williamsburg Lodge at the rate of $199/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. To take advantage of this negotiated rate, reservations must be made by February 14. Reservations can be made online here. 

Sponsorship/Exhibiting Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at the 2025 Connect/Protect Experience? Click here to learn about those opportunities. Click here for our complete 2025 Sponsorship Brochure. Questions? Contact Amy Binns.