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Attendee Resources | Women Lead Symposium

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Access session materials and recordings from the 2026 Women Lead Symposium. These recordings will be available until August 30, 2026.

  • Concurrent Breakouts I

  • General Session

  • Concurrent Breakouts II

  • Closing General Sessions

Opening General Sessions

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Passcode: WLS2026!

Welcome

  • Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association

Master of ceremonies

  • Lesa Vanotti, President and CEO, Torrington Savings Bank

The visibility advantage — Women leading in policy and industry

  • Melanie Cuevas, Vice President, State and Local Government Relations Manager, JPMorganChase
  • Patricia Herndon, Chief Policy Officer, Michigan Bankers Association
  • Kirsten Sutton, SVP, Global Government Affairs & Public Policy, Royal Bank of Canada
  • Moderator: Paige Bjornson, Regional President, Dacotah Bank

Leading in full view: Cathy Owen’s path to influence and national leadership

  • Cathy Owen, ABA Chair Elect; Executive Chair, Eagle Bank and Trust Company
  • Moderator: Kimberly Carhee, Senior Vice President, Loan Operations Manager, Heritage Bank NW

Concurrent Breakouts I

Navigating your career for visibility — Building influence through intentional growth

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  • Kristen Brabble, Chief Operating Officer, First Carolina Bank
  • Steffany Gallant, Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Officer, Piscataqua Savings Bank
  • Kim Hannay, CRA Officer, Mercury
  • Moderator: Kristina Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, Dacotah Bank

Seeing the signal: Data that surfaces women’s impact

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  • Paola Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Community Development Centreville Bank
  • Karyn Hale, Executive Vice President, CFO and COO, Union Bank
  • CJ Conrad, Executive Vice President, Chief Client Experience Officer, Cape and Coast Bank
  • Moderator: Kim Snyder, CEO and Founder, KlariVis

Visibility through trust — Turning credibility into leadership capital

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  • Alisha Duehn, Senior Vice President, First Iowa State Bank
  • Alayasia White, Senior Vice President, Director of Audit, b1Bank and Stonier Advisory Board
  • Renee Smyth, Executive Vice President, Chief Experience and Marketing Officer, Camden National Bank
  • Moderator: Susan Cosgrove, CEO and Chair, R&T Deposit Solutions

General Session

Sustaining visibility — Strengthening the leader behind the vision

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Passcode: WLS2026!

  • Donna Rustigian Mac, Business Communication Expert and Mindfulness Coach, iVoice Communication

Concurrent Breakouts II

CEO visibility lab: Leading in full view

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  • Sally Heckman, President and CEO, First Federal S&L Association
  • Julie Hower, President and CEO, Farmers and Drovers Bank
  • Jennifer A. Poulsen, CEO and President, Hebron Savings Bank
  • Moderator: Melissa Cullen, Head of Regional and Community Banking, FIS

Communications lab: Language of leadership

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Passcode: WLS2026!

  • Lina Cagossi, Executive Communications Coach, The Communication Center
  • Moderators:
    • Jennifer Huffman, Senior Vice President, Atlantic Union Bank
    • Nicola McIntosh, Senior Vice President, Communications and Content Manager, Zions Bank

Closing General Sessions

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The visibility shift: Redefining strength and the courage to be seen

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  • Jessica Lovell, Founder and CEO, Raevolution Speaking, Soul-centered Speaking, Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Experience, First National Bank Texas

Stay engaged: Upcoming opportunities for leadership and growth

  • Kenneth Kelly, ABA Chair; Chairman and CEO, First Independence Bank

Stay informed about the 2027 Women Lead Symposium!

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Get updates on the next session of the Women Lead Symposium. Contact Catherine Nestrick if you have any questions.