Brian Leibfried is partner, managing director, and head of bank insights at Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC, a role where he blends his extensive experience in banking and board leadership.  A sought-after speaker in banking circles, Mr. Leibfried shares his insights with clarity and conviction.  He brings a diverse skill set to the table, merging treasury, bank management, investment banking, and capital markets expertise.  Mr. Leibfried’s approach, rooted in the shape management methodology, offers comprehensive strategies.  Moreover, he contributes significantly to Performance Trust University®, enlightening high-level banking executives nationwide on balance sheet dynamics and strategic planning.  Mr. Leibfried’s multifaceted background and commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset in navigating the intricacies of the financial landscape.

Sydney Menefee is a partner at Crowe LLP in the growth and intelligence group based in Washington, D.C. She has 20 years of experience working with financial institutions. She is focused on regulatory and strategic risk and enabling market-leading vision and perspective in executing high-profile engagements.

Ms. Menefee joined Crowe after nearly 13 years with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) where she most recently served as the senior deputy comptroller for midsize and community bank supervision. In this role, she was responsible for supervising nearly 1,100 national banks and federal savings associations and managing a nationwide team of 1,400 bank examiners. She served on the OCC’s executive committee, committee on bank supervision and the Major Matters supervisory review committee. She additionally was commissioned as a national bank examiner and served as the deputy comptroller and chief accountant while at the OCC.

Emily McCormick is Vice President of Editorial & Research for Bank Director. Emily oversees research projects, from in-depth reports to Bank Director’s annual surveys on M&A, risk, compensation, governance and technology. She also manages content for the Bank Services Program, including Bank Director’s Online Training Series. In addition to speaking and moderating discussions at Bank Director’s in-person and virtual events, Emily writes and edits for Bank Director magazine, BankDirector.com and Bank Director’s weekly newsletter, The Slant. She started her career in the circulation department at the Knoxville News-Sentinel and graduated summa cum laude from The University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Business.