2022-2023 VBA Women’s Mentorship Program Recap
November 2022-September 2023
As part of our overall diversity and inclusion efforts, the VBA created the Women’s Mentorship Program to assist our member banks with preparing the talented women within your banks for future senior leadership positions. Our research shows that women often don’t recognize their own talent and need someone to identify the potential for future success in leadership.
In this program, mentor/mentee pairs participated in a 10-month experience involving one-on-one interaction and discussion combined with training and regional networking opportunities. Members of the Executive Women in Banking Peer Group hosted regional meet-ups in the spring of 2023 for mentors and mentees to come together and share their experiences thus far.
Program Components
- Formal Opening Session including mentor and mentee training hosted at the VBA
- Bi-monthly industry and development focus themes
- Topical webinars presented by industry experts
- Bi-monthly emails to mentors and mentees with:
- Discussion guides
- Resources and templates
- Suggested readings
- Regional meet-ups hosted by members of the Executive Women in Banking Peer Group
- Closing event hosted by the VBA
2022-2023 Monthly Themes
Theme: Bank Financial Management
Guide: Michelle Austin, Bank of Botetourt
Theme: Confidence & motivation
Guide: Elizabeth Bentley, Verge Coaching
Theme: Resiliency & Change
Guide: Elizabeth Bentley, Verge Coaching
Theme: confidence & motivation
Guide: Elizabeth Bentley, Verge Coaching
Theme: Building Your Personal Brand
Guide: Delphia Howze, D. Howze Solutions, LLC
Theme: Dealing with conflict
Guide: Gail Letts, Letts Consult
Bonus Session: Career Development
Guide: Charlotte Anderson, Capital Performance Group
2022-2023 Participating Banks
Fifty-five bankers participating in this year’s program from the following banks:
- Atlantic Union Bank
- Bank of Botetourt
- Benchmark Community Bank
- Chesapeake Bank
- Forbright Bank
- MainStreet Bank
- Oak View National Bank
- Old Point National Bank
- VBA Benefits Corporation/Virginia Bankers Association