Program Expectations
Maryland Bankers Association 2024-2025 Emerging Leaders Champion Program
Providing Growth Opportunities through Education, Networking, and Leadership Development
Providing Growth Opportunities through Education, Networking, and Leadership Development
Mission: By actively engaging the next generation of leaders, MBA’s Emerging Leaders Champion Program will proactively support a broader, more diverse group of leaders that can make better decisions due to their heightened engagement with the organization and a more developed understanding of the Maryland banking industry, its leaders, and the Association that serves it.
The program is set to begin in January 2025 and conclude in September 2025, with required participation throughout the year (approximately six “anchor” meetings in total). See below for more information.
Meetings will take place in person at varying locations. Participation requires some in-state travel and at least one overnight meeting. Some structured preparation or activities “on your own” are required.
Breakdown of program components and expectations:
Attend Emerging Leaders Anchor Meetings: Approximately six specialized “anchor” meetings for Emerging Leaders on relevant banking and leadership topics are held throughout the year. In-person attendance is expected. Meetings will be highly interactive and are designed to foster a robust dialogue between guest speakers and the class. These "anchor" meetings are meant to build lasting connections with the Emerging Leaders class and guest experts on advocacy, thought leadership, career advancement, and trending industry topics. Networking opportunities are provided at each event.
Attend “Learn About MBA Day” (January 2025): The Emerging Leaders Champion Program will kick off with a “Learn about MBA Day”. This session will be held in Annapolis, Maryland. A representative of each MBA department will speak briefly about their role and the responsibilities of their division. The group will have lunch and hear from a guest speaker on the importance of advocacy. Topping off the day is a networking session. "Learn About MBA Day" is meant to increase each individual banker’s understanding and knowledge of the structure and governance of the state and the MBA, and gain a comprehensive overview of the MBA’s valuable benefits, including programs, services, and legislative advocacy.
Attend one MBA Government Relations event (January 2025 – May 2025): Participants in the Emerging Leaders Champion Program are required to attend one MBA-sponsored Government Relations event. Attending an MBA-sponsored Government Relations event is meant to increase bankers’ understanding of the state and federal legislative process and increase their ability to actively support and defend the Maryland banking industry.
Qualifying advocacy events include:
Attend one MBA Professional Development event (January 2025 – September 2025): Participants in the Emerging Leaders Champion Program are required to attend one MBA Professional Development event. Attending an MBA Professional Development event is meant to further expose Emerging Leaders to the Maryland banking industry and banking leaders across the state. In addition, Emerging Leaders will benefit from these unique, Maryland-focused educational opportunities.
Qualifying events include:
Organize and participate in a philanthropic or community service project (January 2025 - September 2025): The Emerging Leaders “Champion” Program class will be required to organize and execute a philanthropic or community service project. The project should bring value to the participants, to their institutions, and to the community. While the class self-selects their group project, the project and related completion deadlines are subject to MBA approval. The philanthropic or community service project is intended to highlight the collaborative, positive results Maryland’s Emerging Leaders can achieve.
Additional, optional meetings and professional development opportunities are provided (January 2025 - September 2025): In addition to the above listed Emerging Leaders program components, additional optional events and professional development opportunities are provided throughout the year. These optional events are meant to further expose Emerging Leaders to the Maryland banking industry and banking leaders across the state, through focused educational and networking opportunities. Some of these opportunities include:
Qualifying events include:
Emerging Leaders Program Closing Reception and Graduation (September 2025): MBA Leadership will host an Emerging Leaders Champion Graduation Ceremony at the close of the program in Ocean City, MD. Emerging Leaders, MBA Leadership, and nominating bank representatives will be invited. This Graduation Ceremony will celebrate class accomplishments, the completion of the program, and the start of lasting relationships with fellow Emerging Leaders and the MBA.
The program is set to begin in January 2025 and conclude in September 2025, with required participation throughout the year (approximately six “anchor” meetings in total). See below for more information.
Meetings will take place in person at varying locations. Participation requires some in-state travel and at least one overnight meeting. Some structured preparation or activities “on your own” are required.
Breakdown of program components and expectations:
Attend Emerging Leaders Anchor Meetings: Approximately six specialized “anchor” meetings for Emerging Leaders on relevant banking and leadership topics are held throughout the year. In-person attendance is expected. Meetings will be highly interactive and are designed to foster a robust dialogue between guest speakers and the class. These "anchor" meetings are meant to build lasting connections with the Emerging Leaders class and guest experts on advocacy, thought leadership, career advancement, and trending industry topics. Networking opportunities are provided at each event.
Attend “Learn About MBA Day” (January 2025): The Emerging Leaders Champion Program will kick off with a “Learn about MBA Day”. This session will be held in Annapolis, Maryland. A representative of each MBA department will speak briefly about their role and the responsibilities of their division. The group will have lunch and hear from a guest speaker on the importance of advocacy. Topping off the day is a networking session. "Learn About MBA Day" is meant to increase each individual banker’s understanding and knowledge of the structure and governance of the state and the MBA, and gain a comprehensive overview of the MBA’s valuable benefits, including programs, services, and legislative advocacy.
Attend one MBA Government Relations event (January 2025 – May 2025): Participants in the Emerging Leaders Champion Program are required to attend one MBA-sponsored Government Relations event. Attending an MBA-sponsored Government Relations event is meant to increase bankers’ understanding of the state and federal legislative process and increase their ability to actively support and defend the Maryland banking industry.
Qualifying advocacy events include:
- MBA Day in Annapolis (January 23, 2025)
- ABA/MBA Washington Summit (March 17-19, 2025)
- ICBA/MBA Capital Summit (May 12-15, 2025)
Attend one MBA Professional Development event (January 2025 – September 2025): Participants in the Emerging Leaders Champion Program are required to attend one MBA Professional Development event. Attending an MBA Professional Development event is meant to further expose Emerging Leaders to the Maryland banking industry and banking leaders across the state. In addition, Emerging Leaders will benefit from these unique, Maryland-focused educational opportunities.
Qualifying events include:
- MBA’s “First Friday” Economic Outlook Forum (January 3, 2025)
- MBA’s Women & Allies Conference (May 2025)
- Connect | Protect Experience (March 3-5, 2025)
- Leadership Conference (November 13-14, 2025)
Organize and participate in a philanthropic or community service project (January 2025 - September 2025): The Emerging Leaders “Champion” Program class will be required to organize and execute a philanthropic or community service project. The project should bring value to the participants, to their institutions, and to the community. While the class self-selects their group project, the project and related completion deadlines are subject to MBA approval. The philanthropic or community service project is intended to highlight the collaborative, positive results Maryland’s Emerging Leaders can achieve.
Additional, optional meetings and professional development opportunities are provided (January 2025 - September 2025): In addition to the above listed Emerging Leaders program components, additional optional events and professional development opportunities are provided throughout the year. These optional events are meant to further expose Emerging Leaders to the Maryland banking industry and banking leaders across the state, through focused educational and networking opportunities. Some of these opportunities include:
Qualifying events include:
- Spring 2025 – MBA Inside the Circle Conference Call (complimentary)
- More TBA
Emerging Leaders Program Closing Reception and Graduation (September 2025): MBA Leadership will host an Emerging Leaders Champion Graduation Ceremony at the close of the program in Ocean City, MD. Emerging Leaders, MBA Leadership, and nominating bank representatives will be invited. This Graduation Ceremony will celebrate class accomplishments, the completion of the program, and the start of lasting relationships with fellow Emerging Leaders and the MBA.
