Agenda

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Sponsored by: Navanta

8:00 AM – 8:05 AM
Day One Welcome
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
Bank Director welcomes all attendees to this year’s Bank C-Suite Summit in our hometown of Nashville, TN.

8:05 AM – 8:35 AM
The State of Our Industry
Mark Kanaly, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
In this session, hear the current state of the banking industry and the underlying factors driving change and creating opportunities for community banks today.

8:35 AM – 9:05 AM
Unlocking the Power of Your Strategic Vision
Alan Kaplan, Founder & CEO, Kaplan Partners
Nathan Stovall, Director of Financial Institutions Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Mac Thompson, CEO & Founder, White Clay
Moderated by: Bill Herrell, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Bank Director
Discover how to elevate your bank’s potential by mastering the art of strategic planning. Panelists explore the intricacies of creating and executing a robust strategic plan that not only aligns with your bank’s mission, vision and values but also responds adeptly to market trends and competitive pressures.

9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Peer Exchanges: Session 1
A highlight of the Bank Director events, during the Summit, banker participants are divided by similar titles, roles and responsibilities to candidly discuss and debate various topics and issues facing banks today. All peer exchanges are led by an industry advisor and are conducted in a closed-door, off-the-record setting.

Technology-Focused Peer Exchange
Group 1 Advised by: McKayla Wooldridge, Fintech Research Analyst, S&P Global Market Intelligence and Al Dominick, Partner, Cornerstone Advisors
Group 2 Advised by: Christopher Bender, President, Northcross Group Corporation and Tim Daley, Principal Digital Strategist, Q2

• Digital Strategy
• Artificial Intelligence
• Talent: Building Your Team
• Making the Right Investment
• Integration Challenges
• Risk Considerations
• Due Diligence Best Practices

Human Resources & Talent-Focused Peer Exchange
Group 1 Advised by: Mika Moser, CEO, At C Level, LLC and Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
Group 2 Advised by: Kelly Earls, Principal, Bank Compensation Consulting and Robert Flowers, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

• Talent
• Compensation
• Succession Planning
• Developing the Next Talent Pool
• Incentive Compensation – does it align with your strategic plan?
• Creating Your Growth Plan:  What’s Next?

Marketing-Focused Peer Exchange
Group 1 Advised by: Michael Lopez, SVP of Fraud Solutions, AppGate Cybersecurity, Inc. and Dan Marks, President, Growth Solutions, OptimaFI
Group 2 Advised by: Linda Bennett, Managing Director, Business Development, Adrenaline and Sara Allen, Chief Growth Officer, RelPro, Inc.

• Data
• Products/Services
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• CRM
• Niche Banking
• Branding
• Competition

Finance & Risk Focused Peer Exchange
Group 1 Advised by:  Mac Thompson, CEO & Founder, White Clay and Josh Juergensen, Principal, CLA
Group 2 Advised by:  Mark Kanaly, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP and Aaron Taylor, CEO, Finance. Risk. Unified.

• Balance Sheet Management
• Growth Initiatives & Strategy
• Growing Organically
• Competitive Threats
• Making the Right Investments
• Risk Management
• Technology Budget: Impact on the Bank
• IT Risks
• Regulation
• Credit Risk

10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
Weathering Uncertainty
Rae-Ann Miller, Chief Risk Officer, IntraFi
Josh White, Shareholder, Elliott Davis Advisory, LLC
Moderated by: Jackie Stewart, Executive Editor, Bank Director
Equip your team with the skills needed to effectively identify and mitigate diverse risks, including credit risk, operational risk and information security. This session offers practical training to enhance employees’ risk management capabilities, ensuring they can proactively protect your institution against potential threats. Transform your workforce into a frontline defense in today’s dynamic risk environment.

11:10 AM – 11:40 AM
What’s Happening in Washington
David Hooper, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
What are the latest regulatory updates, and how do they impact our industry? During this session, learn about recent regulatory changes and how they influence bank operations, risk management and overall performance.

11:50 AM – 12:30 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1: Strong, Smart, Personalized Brands – The Website Experience
James Pannos, President, Pannos Marketing
Paul Tonelli, SVP, Chief Creative Officer, Pannos Marketing
Your website is your busiest branch – and a critical expression of your brand in action. This session shows how banks can leverage customized branding and smarter content to deliver personalized and stronger web experiences. Walk away understanding how all roads lead to your busiest branch.

Breakout 2: BOLI Purchases & Margins In Today’s Interest Rate Environment
Josh Miskovich, Regional Managing Director, Executive Benefits Network
Attend this session to understand why there has been a significant uptick in BOLI purchases. This session helps you understand how BOLI rates are increasing in a time when the Fed is lowering rates. Learn how this point in the rate cycle is creating additional margin between BOLI and alternatives

Breakout 3: Redefining Enterprise Bank Management: A Without Limits Philosophy
Barry Adcock, Sales Executive, Quantalytix, Inc.
Tadgh Spradlin, VP of Sales & Partnerships, Quantalytix, Inc.
Financial institutions face a growing paradox: more data than ever, yet less clarity. The future of enterprise bank management lies in providing clarity and control, empowering institutions to navigate various economic environments with confidence. This session explores how leaders can simplify complexity, transform data into a strategic asset and position themselves to thrive in the years to come.

Breakout 4: Five Ways to Make a Lasting Impact on Your Bank’s Bottom Line
Mike Holt, Partner, Profit Resources, Inc.
This presentation reveals five practical strategies that community banking leaders can use to drive bottom-line results. We provide clear, practical insights on how your organization can grow profitability, enhance customer relationships, embrace technology and improve efficiency. Attendees leave equipped with actionable ideas to strengthen performance, increase non-interest income, and control non-interest expenses to compete effectively in today’s market.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by:  Ellsworth Systems, LLC

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1: Drive Operational Leverage with Smart, Data-Driven Marketing
Dan Marks, President, Growth Solutions, OptimaFI
With competition heating up and budgets tightening, banks need to work smarter – not harder – to grow. Discover how targeted, data-driven marketing can be your secret weapon to drive operational leverage, attracting low-cost deposits, loans and new to bank relationships. Join us to learn how to stretch every marketing dollar further and turn insights into real, measurable results.

Breakout 2: Leading with Purpose
Deborah Sweeney, Head of MyCorporation & Banker’s Dashboard, Deluxe
Discover how effective leadership goes beyond self-interest to drive team success. Learn actionable strategies for fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that empowers your team to thrive. Unlock the potential of leading with purpose and creating a culture of shared success.

Breakout 3: Overcome the Data Hurdles for Profitability-based Incentive
Scott Earwood, Head of Community Banking Division, White Clay
Mac Thompson, CEO & Founder, White Clay
Banks are transitioning from production-based to profitability-based incentive. This encourages bankers to build deeper and more profitable relationships. Community bank data environments are not prepared for this transition. This session provides a roadmap to the critical data improvements necessary: define a client relationship, aggregate relationships’ products and services, calculate profitability and display simple, transparent and actionable information for bankers to understand their performance and pay.

Breakout 4: Auditors’ Perspective: Audit & Risk Planning Under New Regulations and Technology
Josh Engelkemier, Partner, Plante Moran
Gain inside perspective from auditors on navigating evolving industry regulations and the increased use of technology. This session highlights audit readiness and risk management planning considerations to strengthen your bank’s operational, financial and IT controls in a rapidly changing environment of new FDIC thresholds, audit standards, cybersecurity framework changes and increased reliance on models, third-party providers and AI.

2:20 PM – 3:00 PM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1: Relationship Banking in a Digital-First Age
Tyler Held, Lead Functional Consultant, nCino
Most banks claim to prioritize relationships, but their decision-making often remains transactional and reactive. Fragmented data and a lack of a holistic view prevent frontline teams from identifying their most valuable and profitable customers. This session provides a strategic blueprint to transform relationship banking from a mere slogan into a reality.

Breakout 2: The 2030 Leader
Todd Lingle, Partner & Leader, Caldwell Analytics
Jeremy Zeman, Managing Partner, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Caldwell Partners
The executive talent pipeline is breaking down. Fewer successors, faster turnover, and a widening skills gap that most banks aren’t built to close. This session examines what leadership built for 2030 actually looks like, why traditional succession planning falls short, and how to build the bench before the vacancy forces your hand.

Breakout 3: SMB Primacy: Turning Small Business Checking Into a Growth Engine
Rob Armour, EVP, Chief Marketing & Product Development Officer, BankPlus
Dave DeFazio, Chief Strategy Officer, StrategyCorps
Cornerstone data reveals that 60 % of SMBs are open to switching banks for better value. Discover how banks are using data-driven design and subscription-style checking to deepen relationships, grow low-cost deposits and unlock new lending opportunities – without competing on rate.

Breakout 4: Outlook for Banks as Nonbank Competition and M&A Change the Landscape
Nathan Stovall, Director of Financial Institutions Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Hear the outlook for banks’ operating environment and how competition, including from nonbanks such as private credit firms, fintechs and stablecoin providers, impacts bank profitability. This session focuses on the drivers of funding costs and deposit and loan growth, while also covering the outlook for asset quality and economic indicators that bear watching. Attendees also hear how changes in the fundamental and regulatory environment are impacting M&A activity.

3:10 PM – 3:40 PM
Evolution or Extinction: Point/Counterpoint Debate
Al Dominick, Partner, Cornerstone Advisors
Andy Ivankovich, Chair of the Board & CEO, Baker Hill Solutions LLC
Chris Sanger, Head of FIG, Managing Director, Cantor Fitzgerald
Moderated by:  Sal Inserra, Senior Advisor, Bank Director
A favorite of Bank Director conference attendees, this session pits industry experts against each other to debate the most controversial issues in strategic growth.  You don’t want to miss this heated – and informative – session!

3:40 PM – 3:55 PM
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by: Alliance Partners LLC

3:55 PM – 4:55 PM
Peer Exchanges: Session 2
Building on the first round of peer exchanges, banker participants return to their same peer groups and attend the second round of peer exchange sessions facilitated by industry leaders.

5:05 PM – 5:35 PM
The Power of People
Jill Castilla, President & CEO, Citizens Bank of Edmond
Kristin Pruitt, President, Lake City Bank
Moderated by: Naomi Snyder, Editor-in-Chief, Bank Director
This session examines how a strong culture and empowering leadership foster a motivated workforce that adapts to change and drives innovation. Discover how these dedicated teams are not only meeting today’s financial challenges but also shaping the future of community banking.

5:35 PM – 6:35 PM
Networking Peer & Guest Reception
Sponsored by: HC3

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast
Sponsored by: Hudson Technology Systems LLC

8:00 AM – 8:05 AM
Day Two Welcome
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
Laura Schield, President & COO, Bank Director
As we begin day two of the Summit, Michelle and Laura reveal key findings from this year’s Bank Director research and what is top of mind for bank executives based on respondent feedback.

8:05 AM – 8:35 AM
Maintaining Your Competitive Edge
David Benskin, Founder & CEO, Wealth Access Inc.
Kirk Coleman, Chief Business Officer, Q2
Brent Lapp, EVP, Sales, SRM
Moderated by:  Emily McCormick, Vice President of Editorial & Research, Bank Director
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing economic landscape, financial institutions face constant pressure to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. This panel discussion brings together industry leaders and experts to share their insights on strategies for maintaining a competitive advantage.

8:45 AM – 9:25 AM
Breakout Sessions (select one)

Breakout 1: Branch Renaissance: Maximizing ROI Through Strategic Marketing, Acquisition & Cross-Sell
Juliet D’Ambrosio, Chief Experience Officer, Adrenaline
This session examines how leading financial institutions are transforming branches from cost centers to high-performing revenue engines through strategic marketing and customer engagement. Explore cutting-edge approaches including: “zonal planning” to optimize customer flow and increase conversions, experience design to deepen engagement, merchandising to drive product awareness and uptake, staff choreography to maximize relationship-building, and data-driven customer journey optimization.

Breakout 2: Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: Practical Strategies for Building Leaders
Lori Bettinger, President, BancAlliance
Joshua Cundiff, EVP, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Southern Bank of Tennessee
Mentorship advises. Sponsorship advocates and opens doors. Community banks that understand this distinction help create stronger leaders, both in their own banks and in the communities they serve. This session provides actionable strategies for implementing both mentorship and sponsorship programs within your bank.

Breakout 3: Evaluating Core Systems for the Digital Era
Danelle Hawig, Senior Vice President, ICI Consulting
Choosing the right core system has never been more critical. This session highlights how financial institutions are reassessing core platforms, navigating modernization efforts and leveraging AI as a practical tool for smarter operations. Discover how thoughtful evaluations and negotiations can help balance innovation with cost control while supporting growth and customer engagement.

Breakout 4: Navigating Compliance & Regulations for Operational Excellence
Marcy Hingst, SEVP, General Counsel, Huntington Bank
Robert Maddox, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
This session will provide comprehensive updates on essential regulations, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Participants gain practical and actionable insights aimed at not only ensuring compliance with these complex regulations but also strategies that organizations can implement to streamline their compliance processes effectively.

9:25 AM – 9:40 AM
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by:  ALM First

9:40 AM – 10:40 AM
Peer Exchanges: Session 3
Banker participants return to their previous peer exchange groups for the third round of peer exchange sessions facilitated by industry leaders.

10:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Keynote: Mission & Purpose: Building Essential Skills to Elevate Leadership
Paul Godfrey, William and Roceil Low Professor of Business Strategy, BYU Marriott School of Business
This keynote session explores the foundational leadership skills including strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and effective communication which are essential for cultivating a high-performing culture within banking organizations. Mission-aligned organizations are more productive and profitable, enjoy greater customer loyalty. In addition, these types of organizations are able to hire, retain and promote higher quality human capital. During this session learn how to become a mission-driven bank!

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Identifying the Next CEO
Lee Gibson, Director, Southside Bancshares, Inc.
Richard “Stick” Williams, Chair of the Board, HomeTrust Bank
Moderated by:  Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director
In today’s dynamic banking landscape, aspiring CEO candidates must equip themselves with a diverse array of skills and competencies that go beyond traditional banking expertise. Join us for an engaging session where seasoned bank leaders share their insights on the essential skill sets that pave the way to the corner office.

11:50 AM – 11:55 AM
Closing Remarks
Michelle King, CEO, Bank Director