2026 Workforce Excellence Summit Recap
February 26, 2026
Post
On February 26, nearly 300 bankers from across the country joined us for the ABA/MBA/VBA Workforce Excellence Summit. During this virtual event, attendees learned how to exceed their own expectations by investing in their people and committing to a strong culture of leadership, collaboration and accountability while improving profitability, unlocking innovation and retaining top talent through the art of workforce excellence.
2026 Session Information
The 2026 event featured opening and closing general sessions and six concurrent breakout sessions.
- Excellence in:
- Building a future-ready workforce
- Unlocking the power of people
- Guiding teams with vision and purpose
- Leading across generations
- Building skills for the future
- Performance culture
- Innovating with AI
- Employee engagement
- Shaping the future of bank leadership
You can view a full speaker lineup here.

![Excellence in: Unlocking the power of people
[Arel Moodie, Adult Development Theory Expert, Tech Founder, Disney+ Expert Host]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/arel.png?1772462068)
![Excellence in: Shaping the future of bank leadership
[Bruce Whitehurst, Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association and VBA]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/bruce.png?1772462068)
![Excellence in: Performance culture
[Cinthya Allen, Chief Engagement Officer, Arvest Bank]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/cinthya.png?1772462069)
![Excellence in: Shaping the future of bank leadership
[Dominik Mjartan, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Pride Bank]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/dominik.png?1772462070)
![Excellence in: Building skills for the future
[Elisa Garn, SHRM-SCP, SVP, Talent Management & Sustainability, Blood Cancer United]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/elisa.png?1772462070)
![Excellence in: Shaping the future of bank leadership
[John C. Asbury, CEO, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/john_0.png?1772462071)
![Excellence in: Shaping the future of bank leadership
[Josephine Moran, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ledyard Financial Group, Inc.]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/josephine.png?1772462072)
![Excellence in: Building a future-ready workforce
[Kenneth Kelly, ABA Board Chair, Chairman and CEO, First Independence Bank]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/kenneth.png?1772462073)
![Excellence in: Leading across generations
[Erica Colonero, Co-Founder & Partner, VisionSpring, Inc. and Robin Pedrelli, Consultant and Trainer, VisionSpring, Inc.]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/kr1.png?1772462073)
![Excellence in: Building a future-ready workforce
[Lora McCray, SVP, Workforce Excellence, American Bankers Association]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/lora.png?1772462074)
![Excellence in: Guiding teams with vision and purpose
[Mika Moser, Founder and CEO, At C Level]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/mika.png?1772462075)
![Welcome
[Julieann M. Thurlow, President and CEO, Reading Cooperative Bank]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/opening.png?1772462075)
![Excellence in: Employee engagement
[Dahiana Duarte Pena, Eastern Bank]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/panel1.png?1772462076)
![Excellence in: Employee engagement
[Moderated By: Krys Lassiter, USAA]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/panel2.png?1772462077)
![Excellence in: Innovating with AI
[Paul Carney, AI Educator, Ishtot, Inc]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/paul.png?1772462077)
![Excellence in: Building a future-ready workforce
[Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association]](/sites/main/files/imagecache/medium/main-images/rob.png?1772462078)