This conference is designed for all who would like to participate in engaging and thought-provoking sessions on assisting women in finding success in the banking industry.

Thank You to Our Portal Sponsor!

As the only Virginia-based tax credit equity fund, they have been creating high-performing equity funds for over 30 years that prioritize the diverse needs of their investor and development partners, as well as the communities in need of affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Through their efforts, they have facilitated and managed 62 equity funds, directing f unding to the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing and economic development real estate projects across Virginia and in surrounding states. VCDC is a VBA Endorsed Provider

Bernard Rogers, Director of Equity Funds & Investor Relations
brogers@vacdc.org | (804) 297-3005
www.vacdc.org

Agenda

wednesday, December 3, 2025

2:00 – 2:30 pm – Registration

2:30 – 4:00 pm – Two Things I Hate: Change & the Way Things Are GeGe Beall | Engaged@Work

Change happens on the daily. And for the success and health of our business, it is essential that we change along with the world around us. This ensures that our business grows and remains competitive, efficient, and provides our customers with the service they expect. There’s just one small problem: humans don’t like change. In fact, the human psyche is wired against it. To us, change is a potential threat which puts us in the very real state of fight, flight, or freeze. And we see these behaviors play out in the workplace any time we attempt to make change: whether a small policy tweak or a large tech project. For too long, leaders have focused on the change management process, rather than on the human psychology point of view. Today will be different. In this presentation, participants will:

• Learn the psychological reasons why people dislike change
• Learn the “threats” change represent to staff
• Identify the typical resistance behaviors seen around change
• Learn leadership techniques that can be used to help staff accept change more readily
• Play! Have Fun! Participate! Laugh!

4:00 – 5:30 pm – Welcome Reception
SPONSORED BY FHLBank Atlanta 

thursday, december 4, 2025

7:45 – 8:30 am – Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 8:40 am – Welcome and Announcements

8:40 – 9:40 am – Wrangling Egos Scott Wayne | Envoy

Forceful characters abound across the higher ranks in business. Wrangling them often falls to those that are their rank peers or subordinates. This session addresses techniques for gaining short-term results, and longer term behavior shifts.

Specifically written for the perspective of women influencing men, this talk guides the audience through a process borrowed from the field of high-intensity conflict resolution to proactively shape the behaviors of highly assertive characters while maintaining your personal integrity and mental health.

Pragmatic and realistic – a reminder that one is never powerless in any situation and we always have options to change the rules of the “game”. Delivered by one of our own high-ego men, delivering personal insights into the Achilles heels of their “types” and drawing on experience of board rooms across industries and geographies.

9:40 – 9:55 am – Networking Break

9:55 – 10:55 am – Mastering Work/Life Balance Susan Sabo & Pam Hemstreet | CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Discover practical strategies to boost productivity and well-being by shifting your mindset, overcoming limiting beliefs, and integrating microbreaks and time management techniques to prevent burnout and achieve sustainable performance.

10:55 – 11:10 am – Networking Break

11:10 am – 12:10 pm – Women Leading with Purpose – Journeys of Influence and Leadership Moderated by Paula Milsted | Chesapeake Bank 

Panelists:

• Jennifer Church | TowneBank
• Maria Sullivan | C&F Bank
• Dorothy Welch | First Bank, Virginia

Behind every successful leader is a story of resilience, purpose, and growth. In this inspiring panel, women bankers share their personal journeys—how they discovered their purpose, overcame challenges, and built influence in a competitive industry. Through authentic reflections, these leaders will explore what it takes to lead with integrity, inspire teams, and create meaningful impact. Expect candid conversations about pivotal career moments, lessons learned, and the values that guide their decisions.

12:10 – 1:00 pm – Lunch
SPONSORED BY Bearing Insurance

1:00 – 2:00 pm – 10 Myths Debunked: How to Inspire, Empower and Get Things Done Amber Farley | FMS

Increasingly, women are filling—and excelling at—leadership roles in the banking industry, contributing unique perspectives and leadership styles, as well as positively influencing the industry and the communities they serve. Amber Farley, a partner and EVP of Brand Development at FMS, gives an insightful presentation on women in leadership, addressing topics such as what leadership looks likes today, how to strengthen leadership skills, some of the barriers to female leadership she’s overcome, the differences between her style of leadership to that of other male leaders at FMS, and ways to empower and inspire your team. Amber’s observations are gleaned from many years of being a consultant, speaker and teacher in the banking industry, working alongside other strong bank leaders across the country.

2:00 – 2:15 pm – Networking Break

2:15 – 3:15 pm – Closing Keynote: Audacious Optimism Shanna Adamic | Oracle Health Foundation
SPONSORED BY Virginia Housing 

In the face of monumental change and adversity, Shanna Adamic’s journey has been one of resilience, leadership, and personal growth. In this session, she will share her powerful story, leaving attendees feeling empowered to embrace life with audacious optimism.

Her experiences – from NFL sidelines to corporate boardrooms – taught her that unknown is where opportunity happens. During this session, she will have attendees: 

• Embracing the Unknown
• Igniting “I Will” Power
• Imagining What Could be Possible

At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be confident in their ability to thrive amidst life’s disruptions and courageous enough to believe in themself and chase dreams that once seemed impossible.

3:15 pm – Conference Adjourns

Meet the Speakers & Panelists

Shanna Adamic embodies audacious optimism as a way of life. As an executive at Oracle, she has spent over two decades championing corporate philanthropy, global health initiatives, multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts, and community engagement at the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and hope. Her optimism allows her to boldly envision a healthier, more equitable world, where intelligent and connected healthcare becomes a reality.

Shanna’s journey is more than a list of professional achievements; it’s a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Her life took an unexpected turn with a rare, benign, yet life-threatening brain tumor diagnosis. Now partially deaf, but with an unyielding spirit of her own, she emerged a survivor. This experience transformed her and became a source of strength, refining her optimism and deepening her commitment to inspiring others. 

Shanna’s passion lies in uniting hearts and minds under a shared vision. Whether addressing a packed auditorium, hosting a podcast, or engaging in intimate conversations, her words resonate deeply across various platforms. As a seasoned speaker and inspiring storyteller, she infuses her talks with contagious enthusiasm and an unshakable belief in humanity’s potential. This passion extended across to her days as an NFL cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs, where she proudly represented the organization for eight remarkable seasons. Her impressive journey includes winning an Emmy for hosting the groundbreaking NFL web series tailored specifically for female football fans.

Today, as the Executive Director for Oracle Health Foundation, a global social impact leader, correspondent for OracleTV, international speaker and published author, she channels her energy into storytelling to ignite hope and spark change! 

GeGe Beall has a master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Radford University & has worked in Human Resources and Organizational Development for her entire professional career. This includes serving as vice president at several HCA hospitals and then as an external consultant specializing in analyzing staff engagement survey results & using the data as a road map to improve overall cultural health. ​Certifications include Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE); EQ-I 2.O Certified Coach; Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR); and SHRM-SCP. In addition, GeGe performs professionally as an improvisational comedian at ComedySportz Richmond, is a black belt level mind/body Nia instructor, and is a certified Laughter Yoga Instructor.

Jennifer Church is a seasoned banker with over twenty years of experience driving growth, operational excellence, and customer-centric innovation in the retail banking sector. As Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking for the Richmond region, she leads strategic initiatives involving branch operations, talent development, and client experience. Throughout her career, Jennifer has built and led high-performing teams, championed digital transformation efforts, and cultivated strong industry and community partnerships. Her leadership has played a pivotal role in expanding market share, enhancing service delivery, and fostering a culture of accountability and empowerment. Jennifer is a graduate of Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Longwood University. She is deeply committed to mentorship and financial literacy, actively supporting local nonprofits and community outreach programs across Central Virginia.

Amber Farley, Partner & EVP of Brand Development at FMS, is a well-known and respected teacher, presenter, consultant and thought leader on bank branding, marketing and leadership strategies for banks around the country. She strategizes ways to help banks be purpose-driven, inspirational and more relevant to today’s customer—including both internal and external customers, and regularly presents and teaches at national banking schools, banking conferences, and other statewide banking institutions.

Pam Hemstreet has 25 years of financial services experience. She has more than 15 years of public accounting experience providing financial statement opinion audits, outsourced internal audit services, consulting, and other specialized accounting services to financial institutions and mortgage companies. Pam also spent 10 years as a controller for financial institutions as large as $6 billion in assets.

Paula Milsted is the Chief Experience Officer at Chesapeake Bank where she oversees Marketing, Outreach, Human Resources, and Products. Simply put, she makes sure that the employee, customer, and brand experiences are all working in tandem to create a great and authentic brand. She began her banking career in 1995 at PNC Bank in Pittsburgh and joined Chesapeake Bank in 2002. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. degree in Marketing Management from Grove City College, Pennsylvania. She is also a 2006 graduate of the American Bankers Association’s School of Bank Marketing and Management, graduate of the VBA Executive Leadership Institute, and completed the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership. Paula holds a Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB) sponsored by the ABA, as well as an Associate Professional in HR Certificate from HRCI.

She serves on both the VBA’s MSI Board and the Executive Women in Banking group.
She has served and continues to serve her community as past fundraising chair and board member for the YMCA. She is active in her church with fundraising and outreach efforts and serves on the Discernment Committee.

Susan Sabo is the managing principal of CLA’s (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) financial services practice. She is a CPA with more than 25 years of combined experience in public accounting and the financial services industry, including experience with Fortune 500 financial services companies. Susan provides board advisory and management consulting services in the areas of strategic planning and mergers & acquisitions. Susan has been involved in multiple mergers & acquisitions of sizes ranging from $150 million to $500 billion with engagement at all stages of the process.

Maria Sullivan, Senior HR Executive | Board Advisor | Executive Coach | Strategic Business Partner and Change Leader, accomplished CHRO with 25+ years of progressive leadership in human capital strategy, talent development, and organizational transformation. Recognized for shaping people strategies that drive business results, enterprise transformation, and cultural alignment across financial services, consulting, and diverse corporate environments.

She is a trusted partner to executive teams and boards, skilled at balancing strategic vision with operational execution, fostering leadership alignment, and guiding organizations through growth and complex change. Maria is a certified HR professional and executive coach (ACC, CLC, SPHR) with 500+ executive coaching hours.

Scott Wayne is a at partner at Envoy, one of the world’s leading negotiation and mediation firms. He supports leaders in business, military, and government in developing strategies, negotiating partnerships, and navigating disputes.

In diplomatic service and subsequently in the private sector, he has worked on some of the most nuanced issues at the intersection of government, business, and non-profit missions.

Scott teaches programs and writes books that guide leaders in understanding human behaviors, influencing decision-making, and negotiating through the toughest issues.

Dorothy Welch is an experienced financial executive and coach for professionals and organizations ready to grow. With more than 25 years in the banking industry, she has led across retail, loan administration, strategy, talent, marketing, and enterprise operations—earning a reputation for connecting vision to execution and turning complex goals into real results.

As Executive Vice President and Director of Program Management at First Bank, Dorothy leads enterprise-wide initiatives that drive structure, accountability, and strategic alignment. Her leadership approach is grounded in authenticity, purpose, and resilience, qualities she has also brought to prior roles including Chief Experience Officer, Chief Talent Officer, and Senior Vice President of Strategic Engagement.

Dorothy holds an MBA from Eastern Mennonite University and a BS from James Madison University. She is a graduate of The Executive Program (TEP) at UVA Darden, the Darden Bank Executive Leadership Program, the Virginia Bankers Association Executive Leadership Institute, and the Graduate School of Banking–Wisconsin Human Resource Management School. She also serves on the Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation Board, advancing leadership and learning across the industry.

Alongside her executive work, Dorothy coaches professionals who are stepping into a bigger version of themselves. She helps people get honest about what they want, redefine what success looks like, and make the moves that change everything.

Session Materials

The password to view the session materials is WIB2025.

10 Myths Debunked: How to Inspire, Empower and Get Things Done Amber Farley | FMS

Audacious Optimism Key Takeaways Shanna Adamic | Oracle Health Foundation

Mastering Work/Life Balance Susan Sabo & Pam Hemstreet | CLA

Two Things I Hate - Change & the Way Things Are GeGe Beall | Engaged@Work

Attendee Roster

View the attendee roster here!

Hotel Information (Address, Parking, Meeting Rooms)

Location & Parking

Omni Richmond Hotel
100 South 12th Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Parking: For those staying at the hotel, valet parking is available at a negotiated rate of $15/night. If you are commuting to the conference, self-parking is available in the James Center for $6/hour, with a max of $35.

Please note - while nearby decks offer “hotel” parking, these garages are not secured or monitored by the hotel and the Omni will not be responsible for any damage or claims resulting in parking in these locations.

Meeting Space

We will be meeting in the James River Ballroom CD and registration will take place in the James River Ballroom Foyer.

Special Needs or Accommodations

If you have special needs that may affect your participation in this event, please contact Michele Dunn to discuss accommodations.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

 

Bearing Insurance
Zachery Kephart, CIC, CLCS
zkephart@bankersinsurance.net | (540) 904-7572
www.bearinginsurance.com

At Bearing Insurance, they deliver the right services, tools, and resources to safeguard our clients along their insurance journey. For over 25 years, they proudly served as Bankers Insurance – building a reputation of trust, reliability, and excellence. This transition to Bearing Insurance marks a new chapter, reflecting their continued commitment to leading, guiding, and collaborating with their clients every step of the way.
VBA Endorsed Provider

 

Brown, Edwards & Co.
Alan Landes, Partner
alandes@BECPAS.com | (540) 246-3366
https://becpas.com/industries/community-banking/

Brown Edwards’ financial institution professional services help management improve procedures, manage risk exposure, and enhance earnings. As a top 70 firm with over 50 years of banking experience, their team will design a specific program for your organization’s needs while providing best practices and cost-effective outsourced services. They provide a full range of services including internal audits, compliance and regulatory audits, SOX/FDICIA assessments, information technology audits, loan reviews, financial statement audits, and model validations.

 

College Ave
Brian Reed, Head of Partnerships
breed@collegeave.com | (610) 620-4322
www.collegeave.com/partner

College Ave is a private student loan provider that offers undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans, as well as refinance options. They offer multiple loan options with flexible repayment terms, including competitive interest rates, and features like instant credit decision, a simple, 3-minute application process, no application or origination fee, autopay discount, and best-in-class customer service. College Ave also offers a student loan referral program to assist banks in meeting the higher education financing needs of their customers and generate referral fees while avoiding lending and loan administration.
VBA Endorsed Provider

 

ePayResources
Yasmin Porcaro, SVP, Member and Industry Relations
yporcaro@epayresources.org | (800) 475-0585 ext. 1203
www.epayresources.org/

ePayResources® has been empowering financial institutions and businesses to be informed, compliant, and competitive in payments for 50 years. As an innovative Payments Association and a founding sponsor of the Center for Payments, they provide emerging and legacy payments expertise, professional development, and industry leadership through education, publications, compliance support, risk management, and advocacy. Their subsidiary, ePayAdvisors™, provides payments audits, risk assessments, and consulting. Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

FHLBank Atlanta
Dan Brenton, Senior Relationship Manager
dbrenton@fhlbatl.com | (404) 858-6008
https://corp.fhlbatl.com/

FHLBank Atlanta is a cooperative bank that offers competitively priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities.

 

ServisFirst Bank
Caroline Yates, AVP, Correspondent Relationship Manager
cyates@servisfirstbank.com | (334) 301-9449 
https://www.servisfirstbank.com/

ServisFirst Bank is a $18B bank based in Birmingham, Alabama with a full service correspondent division serving over 400 banks in the southeast. Their agent credit card program is endorsed by the VBA and newly endorsed by the MBA. 
VBA Endorsed Provider | MBA Preferred Provider

 

VCDC
Bernard Rogers, Director of Equity Funds & Investor Relations
brogers@vacdc.org | (804) 297-3005
www.vacdc.org

As the only Virginia-based tax credit equity fund, they have been creating high-performing equity funds for over 30 years that prioritize the diverse needs of their investor and development partners, as well as the communities in need of affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Through their efforts, they have facilitated and managed 62 equity funds, directing funding to the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing and economic development real estate projects across Virginia and in surrounding states.
VBA Endorsed Provider

 

Virginia Housing
Jake Naugle, Director of Homeownership Lending
jake.naugle@virginiahousing.com | (804) 343 5706
www.virginiahousing.com

By investing in the power of home, Virginia Housing transforms where and how thousands of Virginians live and thrive, strengthening communities and the economy. Virginia Housing is celebrating its 50th year of working in partnership with the public and private sectors to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. While receiving no state taxpayer dollars, Virginia Housing raises money in capital markets to provide mortgages to first-time homebuyers, invest in developments and innovations in affordable housing, and make homes for people with disabilities and older Virginians more livable. Virginia Housing is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion among its associates, customers and affordable housing partners.

 

YHB
Hannah Scates,Manager
Hannah.Scates@yhbcpa.com | (540) 662-3417
yhbcpa.com

The YHB Financial Services Team provides a comprehensive approach to helping community banks grow, manage, and safeguard their achievements. With over 300 professionals across 9 locations, they partner with many of the region’s most innovative leaders and banks. Their expertise spans tax, assurance, and consulting services, ensuring your bank has the tools and support needed to thrive.