Ken LaRoe is the founder and CEO of Climate First Bank. Mr. LaRoe is an award-winning sustainability professional and eco-entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to environmental activism and building businesses. He actively works to address the existential threat to humanity: the climate crisis. Mr. LaRoe is inspiring other industry leaders to change how they run their businesses to leave a more positive footprint.

Mr. LaRoe describes himself as a rabid environmentalist who is also a rabid capitalist. He has always subscribed to the maxim that in addition to making a profit, business can be a force for good. Last year, Mr. LaRoe embarked on his most ambitious startup bank, Climate First Bank, which he founded on the premise that a bank can contribute to the drawdown of atmospheric CO2.

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.