KBA Chairman Jonathan Johnson kicked off the 2021 Women in Banking Conference on March 25 and 26 for the first time, virtually. 

The first speaker to present was LeeAnne Linderman, retired bank executive who shared, “Creating Your Own Professional Experience.” Her presentation covered how women bankers can assure their professional presence delivers on the expectations through the community, their company, and their employees while still being authentic. Linderman offered tips, ideas, and hints of humor while answering the major question of how to be authentic to women’s professional workplace. 

Debbie Lundberg, author and life/business/leadership coach, next spoke on her presentation, “Leading Without Losing Your Femininity.” Attendees experienced advice, empowerment, and perspective on being a female leader in a male-dominated industry. 

The conference moved to breakout sessions in the afternoon where attendees could listen to three different topics. 

Lundberg shared “Beyond Networking 101: Move From Card Collecting to Truly Connecting” that answered questions for those attendees who feel industry gatherings are awkward, stick closely to friends, and want to be memorable to others and how to approach different scenarios.

Tammy Bond, The Pacific Institute, presented “How to Effectively Change the Status Quo in Your Bank” which gave an in-depth perspective to attendees to want to make their employees feel empowered and how to provide them with the skills and confidence to assume an active and involved role in the workplace and to effect change.

Deborah Scanlon, BKD, presented “Fear-less: Is Fear Holding You Back?” that shared how fear may be holding you back from reaching your fullest potential. 

On day two, Tara Jarvis shared, “Grace Blankets-Warming Hearts, Blanketing Babies,” describing her heartwarming story of the beginning of Grace Blankets and her daughter Piper Grace. She lived 10 months in the NICU at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Piper’s life moved the Jarvis family to cherish every moment and to help others by providing NICU linens to multiple hospitals in Fort Worth, Arlington and many more locations. 

Esther George, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, shared next on “Career Goals and Your Path.” She highlighted her career path along with some of the challenges she has overcome. She shared messages of positivity for our industry and the career paths not only currently held by female bankers, but those being forged by female bank leaders as well.

In the next discussion, “How We Got Here,” the Women Leaders Panel consisted of facilitator Deanne Engstrom from Country Club Bank in Olathe and panelists Julie Huber from Equity Bank in Wichita, Amy Fauss from CrossFirst Bank in Leawood, and Kathy Schwerdtfager from Tescott Bank in Tescott. This esteemed panel shared successes and struggles from their own careers, as well as their insights on work/life balance, how the COVID pandemic affected them and their banks, and many anecdotes.

The last speaker of the day was Kat Perkins, The Voice contestant, with her presentation “Fearless.” Perkins competed on season six of NBC’s The Voice and was a Top Four finalist. As part of her “Fearless 2.0 Campaign,” Perkins shared about finding your passion, assuming leadership, developing and maintaining a positive attitude and working toward your dreams. As a part of her motto, she says, “Dream it, do it.”