A sold-out crowd of 487 packed the Marriott Indianapolis North on Nov. 8-9 for the 7th annual IBA Banking on Women Conference. That’s another record-high attendance for professional development, networking and inspiration.
Professional Development
Helmed by 2023 conference committee chair Jennifer Newsom of First Farmers Bank & Trust Company, Converse, this year’s conference lived up to its reputation as a platform where women take the lead. Powerhouse educational sessions tackled leadership, using communication to resolve conflict and set boundaries, our nation’s mental health crisis, the future of banking for Gen Z and a DEI panel discussion.
A standout session was the return of our popular Executive Women in Banking panel discussion moderated by IBA President & CEO Amber R. Van Til and featuring panelists Annette M. Russell, president and CEO of Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport; Kristin L. Pruitt, president of Lake City Bank, Warsaw; Amy D. Jackson, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for German American Bank, Jasper; and Jess Hopkins, first vice president and regional sales manager at First Merchants Bank, Muncie. All five women offered insights that inspired all in the audience.
Awards & Recognition
The panel was followed by this year’s prestigious Banking on Women Awards presentations. Jennifer Gibson, Indiana Region president for Northwest Bank, Warren, Pennsylvania, was honored as the 2023 IBA Woman of the Year. The award, sponsored by Krieg DeVault, LLP, celebrates women in banking for their professional excellence, community engagement and track record of supporting other women in reaching their full potential.
Amanda Rubeck, vice president and senior retail officer at STAR Bank, Fort Wayne, was honored as the 2023 IBA Woman on the Rise. The award, sponsored by Amundsen Davis, LLC, recognizes a woman in banking age 40 or younger who is making a significant impact in her industry and community through engagement, drive and teamwork.
Networking & Fun
Attendees had plenty of time to cut loose and have some fun as well! After dinner Wednesday night, the dueling piano duo Felix and Fingers provided an hour of all-request singalong fun followed by the second annual Banking on Women Lip Sync Battle.
Networking breaks between each educational session gave attendees the chance to connect with colleagues and expand their professional networks. These breaks also provided the opportunity to peruse items available for bid in this year’s silent auction, benefitting Dress for Success. The organization empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. This year’s auction raised a total of $8,510.
Looking Ahead
Thank you to our planning committee, attendees, speakers and sponsors for making it another rousing success. If we sold out before you were able to register, our next event will be at a new, larger location — Embassy Suites Noblesville. Mark your calendars now for Nov. 6-7, 2024, and be on the lookout for registration to open later this year!
IBA Woman of the Year 2023
Jennifer Gibson, Indiana Region president of Northwest Bank, Warren, Pennsylvania, was named the 2023 IBA Woman of the Year. The award, sponsored by Krieg DeVault, LLP, recognizes a woman in the Indiana banking community who excels at her profession, is active in the community and supports other women in reaching their full potential — whether in banking or other fields.
Gibson moved to Muncie from western New York as the bank was expanding its footprint into Indiana and was promoted to regional president within two years. She now leads 20 full-service offices throughout the state, as well as two production offices.
She has held dozens of positions volunteering in her community, including as a board member of Heart of Indiana United Way and chair of its Women United group, a member of the Rotary Club of Muncie and board member for the Delaware Advancement Corporation. She and her husband also served as a host family with the Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee.
Gibson graduated from Hudson Valley Community College, the Bucknell University PBA Advanced School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.
IBA Woman on the Rise 2023
Amanda Rubeck, vice president and senior retail officer at STAR Bank, Fort Wayne, was named the 2023 IBA Woman on the Rise. The award, sponsored by Amundsen Davis, LLC, recognizes a woman in banking age 40 or younger who is making a significant impact in her industry and community through engagement, drive and teamwork.
Rubeck has been with STAR Bank for five years and has more than 20 years of banking experience overall. Among her many points of community service, she is a board member of the Zionsville Community Development Corporation, Redevelopment Commission and town Finance Committee. Rubeck also serves on the zWORKS Board of Directors and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana.
She earned an associate degree from IUPUI and a certificate of achievement in global financial crisis study from Yale University.
Thank You, Sponsors
Laurie is responsible for planning, designing and implementing IBA educational offerings, including schools, seminars, executive-level forums and webinars. She is also the IBA’s liaison for the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and a member of the GSB Education Directors Advisory Group.
Email Laurie at LRees@indiana.bank
