Emerging Leaders Conference

2026 Emerging Bank Leaders Chair Kari Van Wassen, Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.

Tristan Macdonald, VP, Government and Member Relations, Virginia Bankers Association, and Evan Richards, VP, Government and Member Relations, Maryland Bankers Association

Daniel Davis, Group Vice President for Regional Economics, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

• CJ Joyner, 1st VP, Regional Sales & Service Manager, EagleBank
• Additional Panelists to Be Announced! 

Piali Ghose, Vice President, Director of Artificial Intelligence, Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way organizations operate, make decisions, and create value—but what does that mean for the next generation of leaders?

Join Piali Ghose, Vice President and Director of Artificial Intelligence at Chain Bridge Bank, N.A., for an engaging and practical discussion on how AI is being approached and implemented within the banking industry today. Drawing from her experience leading AI initiatives, Piali will share real-world insights on opportunities, challenges, governance, and the skills leaders need to thrive in an AI-driven future.

Designed specifically for emerging leaders, this interactive session will explore how to embrace AI strategically, build AI fluency, and position yourself to lead through continuous technological change. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways, a clearer understanding of AI’s impact on the workplace, and practical steps they can take now to prepare for the future.

Through audience participation and Q&A, this conversation will move beyond the buzzwords to focus on what matters most: how leaders can harness AI responsibly, effectively, and with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• How organizations are approaching AI adoption today
• Lessons learned from implementing AI in a regulated industry
• The skills and mindsets emerging leaders need to develop now
• Practical ways to leverage AI to enhance leadership and decision-making
• Strategies for navigating the future of work in an AI-powered world

Dorothy Welch, EVP/Director of Program Management, First Bank, Virginia

Before we can lead others effectively, we must first understand ourselves: what motivates us, what drains or energizes us, and what drives our behavior under pressure.

Many emerging leaders feel pressure to prove themselves, have the answers, and avoid mistakes. While that pressure can fuel achievement, it can also lead to over-functioning, self-doubt, reactivity, and leadership that feels more like performing than leading.

This session explores how self-awareness, mindset, and energy shape the way we show up, make decisions, and influence others. Participants will examine the internal beliefs and motivations driving their leadership, recognize when they are reacting rather than leading intentionally, and build the self-trust needed to lead with greater confidence, presence, and authenticity.

Topics may include:

• Understanding what motivates, energizes, and drives you
• The hidden pressure to always have the answer
• How fear of failure shows up as over-functioning
• Recognizing reactive versus intentional leadership
• Moving from external validation to internal confidence
• Building the self-awareness and self-trust to lead authentically
• Choosing the energy and presence you bring into the room

• Noel Hansen, SVP, Commercial Banking Sales Manager, Alpine Bank
• Jennifer Huffman, Senior Vice President, Mgr-Solutions Banking, Atlantic Union Bank
• Kari Van Wassen, VP, BSA Officer and Security Officer, Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.

Join Noel, Jennifer and Kari as they present their Spark! presentations; a format where speakers get five minutes and 20 slides to make their point, enlighten and entertain. Their sessions will be full of passion and meaningful moments that will be entertaining, inspiring and fun to see and hear.

After the presentations, during a fireside chat, the speakers will share how leaning into opportunities has helped them grow and thrive in their careers, maybe even despite some initial hesitancy they had in saying “yes” to many of them. Through personal stories, practical strategies and candid discussions, they will share how they rebuilt energy and motivation for their work and created healthier approaches to success. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, fresh perspectives and encouragement to help you rediscover your spark and thrive both personally and professionally.

Angela Lightfoot, Executive Leadership & Mental Health Wellness Coach, Ms. Angela Coaches

Emerging leaders will examine how their mental and emotional wellness affects communication, decision-making, leadership presence, and workplace culture. They will also explore how to lead people with compassion while maintaining clear expectations, healthy boundaries, and consistent accountability.

Thomas Greek, Founder, Thomas Greek Coaching, LLC

Leaders often feel that they must have all the answers. This “Expertise Trap” leaves even the most dedicated leaders facing decision fatigue while unintentionally creating bottlenecked teams.

What if your greatest leadership superpower isn’t your expertise, but your intentional curiosity? In this engaging and actionable keynote, you’ll step into the shoes of a great detective—entering every leadership challenge with a blank notebook and an open mind. Learn how shifting from an “Expert” to an “Explorer” mindset can instantly unleash team autonomy, uncover hidden insights, and lighten the heavy burden of having to fix everything yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how to swap restrictive, interrogative questions for open-ended questions that drive true breakthroughs.
• Move past reactive listening to tune into subtle cues, energy shifts, and the unspoken subtext behind your team’s challenges.
• Walk away with a practical, immediate challenge to transform your daily communication style
• Put down the heavy mantle of the all-knowing expert, pick up your magnifying glass, and discover how asking the right questions lets curiosity do the heavy lifting!