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. ​

2025 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

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 Leaders Telling Their Story – A Panel Discussion Moderated by Paula Milsted | Chesapeake Bank 

Panelists:

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

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.

Registration Information

	Member	Non-Member
Through November 4, 2025	$575	$1,075
November 5 – December 2, 2025	$625	$1,125

Register Now!

VBA EVENT POLICIES

By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the VBA Event Policies.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellations will be charged a $25.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received after December 1, 2024 will be charged a $75.00 administrative fee plus any additional fees associated with the training. Substitutions are allowed prior to the beginning of the conference.

SPECIAL NEEDS & AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES NOTICE

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

Location & Hotel Accommodations

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

The VBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Omni for $179/night. To take advantage of this rate, reservations must be made by November 14, 2025. Click here to reserve your room today!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring this event? Click here to view those opportunities. To view the complete 2025 Sponsor Brochure, click here. Questions? Contact Amy Binns.