VBA, the American Bankers Association and the Maryland Bankers Association partnered to host the fifth-annual virtual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit for bankers on September 12, 2024. More than four hundred people nationwide registered to attend. This event was an important part of continuing a meaningful dialogue on fostering positive change in the industry. The value-packed program helped bankers master the leading practices for mitigating the systemic barriers that disadvantage marginalized groups in the industry and gave actionable steps to implement change.

Photos from the 2024 Summit

2024 Session Information

Opening Session: The Challenges of Diversity – And How to Overcome Them

• Denise Hamilton, Author, Founder and CEO, WatchHerWork

Board Succession Planning: Expand the Diversity of 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

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

Financial Inclusion and Your Community

• 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, Senior Vice President of Bank Community Engagement and Executive Director, American Bankers Association Foundation

Banking on Multicultural Consumers and Small Businesses

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

Harness Employee Resource Groups for Inclusive Excellence

• 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

• 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

Transform Your Bank – One Mind at a Time

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

2024 DEI Award Winners

The second-annual ABA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards were announced during the summit and honored and recognized banks for their internal-facing programs, initiatives and activities focused on improving diversity, equity and inclusion in their workforces. 

Congratulations to the 2024 winners:

Outstanding Overall DEI Program Award

• Winner: Flagstar Bank
• Honorable Mention: First Interstate

DEI Outstanding Leader Award

• Winner: Colette Campbell, Bremer Bank
• Honorable Mention: Craig Johnson, Webster Bank

Innovation Incentive Award

• Winner: Republic Bank & Trust Company
• Honorable Mention: Primis Bank