Arkansas Bankers Association

?? Congrats to Jimena with First Security Bank—this year’s Grand Prize Giveaway winner! ?? We hope you enjoy your new LV purse??, and a huge thank you to BancCard for sponsoring this year’s grand prize! Your support made this exciting moment possible!

? Congratulations to Heather Jones with Bank of America, the recipient of this year’s Power Woman in Banking Award! ? Heather was recognized during the 2025 ABA Woman in Banking Conference for her leadership, dedication, and impact on the banking industry! A special thank you to our award presenting sponsor, Wright Lindsey Jennings, for their continued support in celebrating and uplifting women in banking. We also appreciate PR Director Rickie J. Smith for being part of this special recognition! Also pictured: Lorrie Trogden & Lori Ross

What an incredible and inspiring panel discussion today! We were honored to hear from Kirsten Sutton (EVP, Congressional Relations and Legislative Affairs, American Bankers Association), Gretchen Conger (Chief of Staff for Governor Sanders), and Toni-Marie Higgins (Chief of Staff for Senator Boozman, joining us virtually). With Vicki Kraai of InterAction Training as our fantastic moderator, the conversation covered leadership, mentorship, and the impact of strong women in the financial and political sectors. A huge thank you to these powerhouse women for sharing their insights and experiences—your wisdom is truly encouraging!

Gene Page, Consultant with SafeHaven Security Group, LLC, shared invaluable insights on how to recognize threats, avoid danger, and survive when escape isn’t an option. His expertise in situational awareness and self-protection strategies gave us the tools to stay prepared and proactive in any environment. Thank you, Gene, for equipping us with the knowledge to stay safe and aware during today’s #WIB2025.

Leadership and efficiency go hand in hand. At the 2025 ABA Woman in Banking Conference, Mikelle Brady, Partner at Profit Resources, Inc., shared insights on leading the way, inspired by efficiency. Leadership skills are critical at every level in banking, from managers to the C-suite—but how does efficiency fit in? Mikelle explored how leaders who prioritize efficiency are seen as competent, reliable, innovative, and skilled decision-makers. By streamlining processes and making smart, strategic choices, they inspire and guide their teams to success. A powerful session with valuable takeaways for leaders at all levels!

At #WIB2025, we’re all about building better leaders—literally! Vicki Kraai, CEO of InterAction Training, led an incredible session on how to elevate your professional impact with emotional intelligence. And after diving into the serious stuff, our attendees got hands-on with a fun activity: designing their vision of a leader… using Mrs. Potato Head! Turns out, leadership comes in all shapes, sizes, and accessories (who knew cute glasses and a purse could be so powerful?). Big thanks to Vicki for sharing her insights and reminding us that we all have an ideal leader — and there are intentional ways to become more efficient in your role.

Meredith Covington with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis joined us at #WIB2025 to share the journey of women’s careers—the beginnings, the barriers, and the persistence it takes to break through. Her personal experiences and perspective was encouraging, reminding us of the resilience and determination that drive women forward in our industry. We appreciate her thoughtful discussion on this topic!

This morning, our #WIB2025 #ARHometownBankers had the privilege of hearing from Kirsten Sutton, EVP, Congressional Relations and Legislative Affairs with the American Bankers Association. She provided an insightful update on the latest developments from Washington, D.C., and what they mean for our industry. We’re grateful for her expertise and leadership in advocating for banks nationwide!

Good morning from the 2025 ABA Woman in Banking Conference! We kicked off the day at the Marriott in Little Rock with a breakfast (thank you, FOUNDATION LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF ARKANSAS) and plenty of coffee, conversation, and fabulous energy! ABA President & CEO Lorrie Trogden welcomed us with insights on government relations in Arkansas and the important work ABA is doing for our industry. It’s going to be an inspiring day—stay tuned for more!

Join Gene Page, consultant at SafeHaven Security Group, LLC, at the ABA Woman in Banking Conference for a powerful session on avoiding danger, handling unwanted contact, and realistic self-protection—including the use of tools like pepper spray. Learn how to develop a strong mindset to manage fear and stay safe in any situation. ?? Be empowered. Be prepared. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eKkUbtKF