Why Mentorship?

Studies have shown, regardless of demographic and whether you’re a mentor or a mentee, mentorship programs accelerate your career.  

The VBA has created a program to  to assist our member banks with preparing the talented women within your banks for future senior leadership positions.  Kicking off in February with its fourth cohort, the VBA Women’s Mentorship Program offers bankers the opportunity to set career goals, network with bankers across the state and establish a relationship with a colleague who will be their champion!  

2024 Mentorship Program Components

2024 Theme – building Your personal brand

Over the course of ten months, participants will walk through a series of exercises to increase self-awareness, understand what they bring to the table and how to differentiate their value. At the end of the program, each attendee will have created a personal brand that they can carry with them throughout their careers.  

During the Opening Session on February 22nd, Jennifer Huffman, VP, Workplace Solutions Relationship Manager will deliver the session “Building Your Personal Brand” and will also lead a virtual check-in in September as participants work through the process of establishing their brand.

In-Person Events

• February 22 from 1:30-4:00p.m. – Program Kick Off at the VBA Office in Glen Allen, VA
• July-September – Regional Mid-Year Meet-ups
• December 4 (morning) – Closing Program in Richmond, VA 

AND…

• Registration to the 2024 Women in Banking Conference on December 4-5 in Richmond, VA

Virtual Trainings

• March 15 from 9:00-10:30am: Goal Setting Session Jodi Flynn, Women Taking the Lead - While this session will be geared towards the mentees, mentors are also encouraged to participate.
• March 21 from 10:00-11:30am: Mentor Training Tamice Spencer-Helms, Mentor, Virginia - Helping mentors understand their role and tools to help them show up “at their best” for their mentees.
• May 30, 9:30-11:00am: Exploring Your Values Britten Parker, InnerWill
• Dates TBA: Two Virtual Check-ins (Coffee Talk for Mentors & Tea Time for Mentees) offering participants to share experiences and stories on their journey with their peers from across the state.
• September 13, 9:00-10:00am: Mid-Year Personal Brand Work Check-in Jennifer Huffman, Atlantic Union Bank

Other Program Highlights

• Book Club Discussion – “Change Your Questions, Change Your Life” by Marilee Adams (book will be provided to all participants at the opening session in February)
• StrengthsFinder 2.0 from Gallup with Tom Rath (book will be provided to all participants at the opening session in February)
• Four themed content releases (i.e. a newsletter) to help guide your journey with numerous resources to help you achieve your goal and develop your personal brand.

Important Dates for 2024 Program

In-Person 

• February 22 from 1:30-4:00p.m. – Program Kick Off at the VBA Office in Glen Allen, VA
• July-September – Regional Mid-Year Meet-ups (Dates and locations TBD)
• December 4 (morning) – Closing Program at the VBA Office in Glen Allen, VA

Virtual Trainings

• March 15 from 9:00-10:30am: Goal Setting Session 
• March 21 from 10:00-11:30am: Mentor Training 
• May 30 from 9:30-11:00am: Exploring Your Values
• September 13 from 9:00-10:00am: Personal Brand Work Check-in

Opening Session Agenda

1:30-1:50pm: Welcome & Setting the Stage Kristen Reid, Virginia Bankers Association

1:50-2:20pm Why Mentoring Matters: A Fireside Chat Jeff Szyperski & Paula Milsted, Chesapeake Bank

2:30 – 4:00pm: Building Your Personal Brand Jennifer Huffman, Atlantic Union Bank

A personal brand is, in many ways, similar to a corporate brand by helping to demonstrate who you are, what you stand for, the values you embrace, and the way in which you express those values. Just as a company brand helps to communicate its value to customers and stand out from the competition., a personal brand does the same for individuals, helping to communicate a unique identity and clear value to potential employers and clients.

4:00-5:00pm: Reception

What Does this Cost & How Do I Register?

Registration Fee:

• $795 per person ($1,590 for a mentor/mentee pair). This registration fee includes the 2024 Women in Banking Conference. Participants will be automatically registered.

How Do I Register?

1. Determine the mentor/mentee pairing within your bank.  Need helpful hints on how to do this?  Contact Kristen Reid to discuss.
2. Register both the mentor and mentee here.

Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsor!

Interested in sponsoring the 2024 Women’s Programming? Contact Amy Binns.

Questions?

Contact Kristen Reid for questions about the 2024 program or if you need help with registering.