Women in Banking Conference – Attendee Portal
A conference designed for women in the financial industry
This conference is designed for all who would like to participate in engaging and thought-provoking sessions on assisting women in finding success in the banking industry.
Please bookmark this page for easy access during the event!
Thank You to Our Event Portal Sponsor, VCDC!
As the only Virginia-based tax credit equity fund, they have been creating high-performing equity funds for over 30 years that prioritize the diverse needs of their investor and development partners, as well as the communities in need of affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Through their efforts, they have facilitated and managed 59 equity funds, directing funding to the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing and economic development real estate projects across Virginia and in surrounding states. VCDC is a VBA Endorsed Provider
Bernard Rogers
Director of Equity Funds & Investor Relations
(804) 297-3005 | brogers@vacdc.org
www.vacdc.org
Location & Meeting Space
The Westin Richmond
6631 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Meeting Room: All sessions will be held in the Chesapeake Ballroom. Registration will be in the Chesapeake Pre-Function area.
2024 Agenda
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
2:00 – 2:30p.m. Registration
2:30 – 4:00p.m. Workshop Session – Improvisation as a Leadership Tool? Yes and… GeGe Beall, MS, FACHE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP | Engaged@Work
Improvisation is (usually) a form of comedy where performers make up things on the spot. When people hear about improvisation, they often panic at the thoughts of having to do this themselves. This is funny when we consider that we are quite literally improvising our lives every day. We can plan what we’re going to say to others, but we cannot plan their responses and must react in the moment. Good improv like good leadership share many of the same characteristics: listening, sharing focus, outstanding teamwork. This is why many business such as Google, PepsiCo, & McKinsey are training their leaders & their teams in Applied Improvisation. In this workshop, participants will:
- Learn the foundations & “rules of improv” which can be applied to the workplace
- Understand the overlap between improvisation skills & leadership skills
- Enhance leadership by practicing the skills of the professional improviser through games and exercises which can be taken back to the workplace
- Play! Have Fun! Participate! Laugh!
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Welcome Reception
Sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta
Thursday, December 5, 2024
7:45 – 8:30 a.m. Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. Welcome and Announcements
8:40 – 9:40 a.m. Leadership Lessons from a Career in Banking – A Fireside Chat with United Bank’s President Julie Gurtis | United Bank & Michelle Gaydica | First National Bank
9:40 – 9:55 a.m. Networking Break
9:55 – 10:55 a.m. The Art of Communicating Cross-Culturally: Sharing Stories that Matter Shanna Kabatznick | Shanna K. LLC
Now more than ever, an organization’s success depends on its ability to embrace a cross-cultural mindset. Traditionally, the benefit of this commitment to diversity is attributed to the creation of products and services that appropriately serve an ever-increasing diverse population. What many organizations fail to realize, however, is that not only must this global mindset be cultivated from within the organization first, but this internal shift can also have significant measurable benefits. Organizations embracing internal cross-cultural diversity can expect increased productivity, improved morale, and decreased turnover.
In this engaging, interactive session, Shanna will discuss the impact and benefits of cross-cultural connection and its role in her inspirational journey. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of unconscious bias and its influence in the workplace. They will have tools and techniques to conquer stereotypes and create an inclusive environment.
What will we learn:
- Understanding unconscious bias
- Simple tools that facilitate authentic connections that foster a more inclusive environment
- Specific ways to modify communication styles that lead to a more harmonious environment
10:55 – 11:10 a.m. Networking Break
11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Wellness Susan Sabo, CPA & Brittany Stern | CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
In this session, you will learn how to recognize the way you think about well-being and identify strategies for moving from reactive to proactive well-being. You will also learn tips for prioritizing relentlessly and concrete strategies for improving your time and energy management. By the end of this session, you will have the tools and knowledge to take control of your well-being and achieve a healthier, more balanced life. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future success.
Takeaways
- Recognize the way you think about well-being
- Identify strategies for moving from reactive to proactive well-being
- Identify tips for prioritizing relentlessly
- Identify concrete strategies for improving your time and energy management
12:10 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
Sponsored by: Bankers Insurance
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Mindset Matters Julie Sturt | Blue Ridge Bank
In this session we will reveal the power of mindset in shaping experiences and achieving goals. Through engaging activities and practical insights, you will learn how to shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, empowering you to embrace challenges, build resilience, and foster continuous personal and professional development. By the end of the workshop, you will gain valuable tools to reframe negative thoughts, cultivate a positive outlook, and unlock your potential for success.
2:00 – 2:15 p.m. Networking Break
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Step Up – Mastering Everyday Leadership Ash Beckham | Keynote Speaker & TEDx Presenter
Anyone can be great once. How can we lead every day in everything we do? When we find the power of our unique version of leadership, those core principles are the same whether we are talking to our client, our boss, our child or the barista behind the counter. The way we do anything is the way we do everything. In order to lead every day, in everything we do, we must identify, practice and improve our particular leadership style.
In this humorous and relatable talk, Ash outlines the 8 pillars of everyday leadership – Empathy, Responsibility, Courage, Grace, Individuality, Humility, Patience and Authenticity. By sharing personal stories, extracting universal messages and presenting the audience with challenges that are both plausible yet outside of our comfort zones, Ash motivates the audience to both strive to be a better version of themselves and make tangible plans to get there.
Takeaways
- Understand the 8 pillars of Everyday Leadership and how to practice them
- Identify and enhance your individual leadership brand
- Examine your leadership growth opportunities and design strategies to broaden your leadership tool kit.
3:30 Conference Adjourns
Session Materials
The password to access the session materials is WomenInBanking2024
The Art of Connecting Cross-Culturally
Mastering Everyday Leadership Handout
Meet the 2024 Speakers!
GeGe Beall, MS, FACHE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Founder & Consultant | Engaged@Work
GeGe has a master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Radford University & has worked in Human Resources and Organizational Development for her entire professional career. This includes serving as vice president at several HCA hospitals and then as an external consultant specializing in analyzing staff engagement survey results & using the data as a road map to improve overall cultural health. Certifications include Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE); EQ-I 2.O Certified Coach; Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR); and SHRM-SCP. In addition, GeGe performs professionally as an improvisational comedian at ComedySportz Richmond, is a black belt level mind/body Nia instructor, and is a certified Laughter Yoga Instructor.
Ash Beckham
Keynote Presenter, TEDx Presenter | Ash Beckham
Ash Beckham is a bold, dynamic presenter who speaks about empathy, respect and the power of having real conversations. Online videos of her TEDx talks “Coming Out of Your Closet” and “Owning Your Duality” and her Boulder Ignite speech “I am SO GAY” have gone viral with more than 10 million YouTube views. Since then, her message has become a topic of global discussion. Ash has delivered keynotes and workshops for universities, organizations, and corporations across the country including Bank of America, Target, Procter & Gamble, GameStop, Vanguard, the U.S. Forest Service, and the FBI. Her first book, Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader, debuted in Spring 2020. In it, Ash presents eight pillars to become an everyday leader—Empathy, Responsibility, Courage, Grace, Individuality, Humility, Patience, and Authenticity. For each pillar, she shares engaging stories of her own journey from isolation and anger to a place of greater openness and connection. She then provides eye-opening research on what it takes to build these essential qualities, coupled with practices to mindfully change the way you relate to yourself and the people in your life.
Michelle Gaydica
SVP, Chief Operating Officer | First National Bank
Michelle Gaydica currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at First National Bank. With an impressive banking career spanning nearly 30 years, including 25 years in community banking, she has become a respected leader in the industry. Her expertise and passion for community banking have been particularly impactful in the state of Virginia. Throughout her career, Michelle has led diverse areas such as Retail Banking, Mortgage, Human Resources, Training, Marketing, Operations, Call Center, Lending, Strategic Initiatives, Digital Banking, Enterprise Risk Management, Vendor Management, and Project Management. This breadth of experience underscores her commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and operational excellence in the banking sector. Michelle is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, and the North Carolina School of Bank Management.
She and her husband, Keith, live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with their two teenage sons. Outside of her professional achievements, Michelle is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She volunteers in the food pantry at Crisis Control, serves on several non-profit boards, and enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with her family. In fact, over the past nine years, they have visited all 50 states together—a testament to her sense of adventure and dedication to family.
Julie Gurtis
President | United Bank
Julie R. Gurtis is President of United Bank where she is responsible for overseeing the Commercial, Retail, Wealth Management, Card Services, and Sales Management divisions. Julie joined United in 1990, and most recently, she served as the company’s Chief Commercial Banking Officer. Her 34-year career at United also included roles as Commercial Lender, Market President, and Regional President.
Shanna Kabatznick
Owner | Shanna K. LLC
Shanna is a bilingual (English Spanish) training facilitator and engaging speaker. She thrives on creating environments where learners can openly discuss, explore, and share ideas. Whether she’s facilitating training or delivering a keynote, Shanna shares actionable ideas people can use immediately. In addition to rich experience in sales, negotiation, networking, and problem-solving, Shanna’s upbeat personality and cross-cultural background make her a natural fit for groups of all types that want to leverage strengths and work through conflicts. Shanna began her career in the financial sector. Constantly drawn to people, she leveraged her talent to connect and took on several sales roles. Shanna + people + sales equaled success. She earned a coveted spot at Million Dollar Round Table (an association of leading insurance and financial services professionals) and qualified for various leadership symposiums and conferences. She has also published several books about networking, Women in Leadership and Latina Leaders.
Susan Sabo, CPA
Managing Principal, Financial Services | CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Susan is a CPA with more than 25 years of combined experience in public accounting and the financial services industry, including experience with Fortune 500 companies. Susan serves as the managing principal of CLA’s financial services group. Her responsibilities include providing engagement oversight in the areas of assurance and internal audit. In addition, Susan provides board advisory and management consulting services in the areas of strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions. She has been involved in multiple mergers and acquisitions of sizes ranging from $150 million to $500 billion with engagement at all stages of the process.
Brittany Stern
Principal, Financial Services | CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Brittany has almost fifteen years of experience and specializing in providing audit and accounting services to financial institutions. In addition to planning, managing and performing financial statement audits for institutions ranging in total assets from $10 million to $55 billion, she has performed engagements designed to test the adequacy of loan documentation and allowance for credit losses, adherence to internal control policies, outsourced internal audit, and consulting engagements for various compliance requirements.
Julie Sturt
SVP, Director of L&D | Blue Ridge Bank
An eternally optimistic Entrepreneur turned Retail Banker turned Learning and Development leader, Julie Sturt brings resilience and passion to every project. Currently, Julie is the Director of L&D at Blue Ridge Bank, based out of Richmond. A wife, mom, breast cancer survivor, and dedicated horse enthusiast, Julie combines her deep understanding of people and unwavering positivity to inspire growth and empower teams. She has a passion for creating an exceptional experience while striving to fulfill her personal mission to help people succeed.
In addition to helping people succeed in their role at work, Julie works to fulfill this mission in her community through board representation for HumanKind in Richmond, Lynchburg and beyond, and for The Ledwith Lewis Free Clinic in Tappahannock.
Attendee Roster
Check out who will be attending through the link below.
VBA EVENT POLICIES
By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the VBA Event Policies.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations will be charged a $25.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received after December 1, 2024 will be charged a $75.00 administrative fee plus any additional fees associated with the training. Substitutions are allowed prior to the beginning of the conference.
SPECIAL NEEDS & AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES NOTICE
If you have special needs that may affect your participation in this event, please contact Michele Dunn to discuss accommodations.
Wi-Fi Information
Network – MarriottBonvoy_Conference
Password – Westin2024
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Bankers Insurance
Zachery Kephart, CIC, CLCS, VP of Sales Strategy and Business Development
zkephart@bankersinsurance.net | (540) 904-7572
www.bankersinsurance.net
As one of the largest insurance agencies in the country, Bankers Insurance clients enjoy access to hundreds of insurance carriers with best-in-class pricing. Their commitment to excellence, professionalism, and personalized service has earned them a trusted reputation among clients and partners in the industry with one of their largest specialties being financial institutions. Contact them today to discuss complete insurance packages for your home, auto, business, and employee benefits needs.
VBA Endorsed Provider
DCMI Mid-Atlantic Inc.
Val Riccardi, Principal
val@dcmima.com | (855) 383-3264
www.dcmima.com
DCMI Mid-Atlantic Inc. is a real estate due diligence consulting firm specializing in the comprehensive assessment of existing real estate and new construction. Their services include property condition surveys, environmental assessments, detailed cost analysis, progress monitoring inspections, construction management, and owner representation on commercial, multi-family, single-family residential, and land development projects. DCMI is a WBENC and SWaM-certified Class A Contractor serving national lenders and community banks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
RA Business Solutions – Your Equifax Sales Agent
Amy Cardona, Vice President of Sales
acardona@retailalliance.com | (757) 455-9387
rabsolution.com
RA Business Solutions (RABS) is the exclusive Equifax Sales Agent for the Mid-Atlantic region. Their client portfolio includes auto dealers, banks, credit unions, finance companies, and real estate companies. The RABS team, working with Equifax, provides industries leading edge consumer insights and analytics, as well as complete consumer, tri-merge, and commercial credit files.
FHLBank Atlanta
Dan Brenton, Senior Relationship Manager
dbrenton@fhlbatl.com | (404) 858-6008
https://corp.fhlbatl.com/
FHLBank Atlanta is a cooperative bank that offers competitively priced financing,
community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial
institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to
neighborhoods and communities.
ServisFirst Bank
Caroline Yates, Assistant Vice President, Correspondent Relationship Manager
cyates@servisfirstbank.com | (334) 301-9449
https://www.servisfirstbank.com/
ServisFirst Correspondent Banking is strategically committed and structured to effectively serve the needs of community banks throughout Virginia and across the U.S. with liquidity management solutions, tri-party settlement services, credit and lending expertise, holding company financing, and our industry-endorsed Agent Bank Credit Card program.
VBA Endorsed Provider
VCDC
Bernard Rogers, Director of Equity Funds & Investor Relations
brogers@vacdc.org | (804) 297-3005
www.vacdc.org
As the only Virginia-based tax credit equity fund, they have been creating high-performing equity funds for over 30 years that prioritize the diverse needs of their investor and development partners, as well as the communities in need of affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Through their efforts, they have facilitated and managed 59 equity funds, directing funding to the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing and economic development real estate projects across Virginia and in surrounding states.
VBA Endorsed Provider
Virginia Housing
Michael Urban, Director of Home Ownership Lending
michael.urban@virginiahousing.com | (804) 343-5982
www.virginiahousing.com
By investing in the power of home, Virginia Housing transforms where and how thousands of Virginians live and thrive, strengthening communities and the economy. Virginia Housing is celebrating its 50th year of working in partnership with the public and private sectors to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. While receiving no state taxpayer dollars, Virginia Housing raises money in capital markets to provide mortgages to first-time homebuyers, invest in developments and innovations in affordable housing, and make homes for people with disabilities and older Virginians more livable. Virginia Housing is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion among its associates, customers and affordable housing partners.
Questions? Contact Amy Binns.