2025 Women & Allies Conference
May 1, 2025 | Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel
May 1, 2025 | Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel
The Women & Allies Conference is designed to benefit all individuals serving in a leadership capacity within their bank – from first-level managers to executives, throughout department and support areas.
All bankers have an opportunity to be thoughtful allies to others in their organization. Together we can make an intentional commitment to use our voice, credibility, knowledge, and/or power to support others.
Join bankers from across Maryland for a day of thought-provoking and engaging sessions celebrating leaders at all levels!
All bankers have an opportunity to be thoughtful allies to others in their organization. Together we can make an intentional commitment to use our voice, credibility, knowledge, and/or power to support others.
Join bankers from across Maryland for a day of thought-provoking and engaging sessions celebrating leaders at all levels!
Agenda
Wednesday, April 31, 2025
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception | Networking
Thursday, May 1, 2025
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. - Registration | Breakfast | Networking | Headshots
8:45 – 9:15 a.m. - Welcome Remarks | Table Icebreaker
Amanda McKenzie, 2025 Chair, Women & Allies Council and Vice President & Director of Human Resources, First United Bank & Trust
9:15 – 10:10 a.m. - "Session 1"
Anne M. Balcer, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief of Government Relations and Public Policy, Independent Community Bankers of America
Anne Balcer is senior executive vice president, chief of government relations and public policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA). In this role she works with other members of ICBA’s executive management team to shape the association’s policy strategy and advance the interests of the nation’s community banks. Balcer leads ICBA’s congressional and government relations teams and oversees ICBA’s advocacy initiatives in the legislative, regulatory, lending, accounting and payment system areas. Prior to joining ICBA, Balcer served in an executive role at Forbright Bank, formerly Congressional Bank, advising its executive management team and board of directors while managing all aspects of legal, regulatory and compliance oversight. Balcer served as Maryland’s deputy commissioner of financial regulation from 2010 to 2013 and was lauded for her consensus building approach to regulation and policy. Experienced in government relations and public policy at the state and federal level, Balcer has testified before Congress, the TARP Oversight Committee and in state and local legislatures. Balcer received her J.D., magna cum laude, with honors, from the University of Baltimore School of Law and her B.A. from Randolph Macon College.
10:10 - 11:00 a.m. - "AI in Banking"
Brynne Tillman, CEO, The Modern Banker
Brynne Tillman has trained more than 100,000 Entrepreneurs, sales teams, sales trainers, and business leaders on how to leverage LinkedIn for social selling and has been in the industry for over a decade. With nearly 68,000 followers, Brynne is widely known as The LinkedIn Whisperer and the CEO of Social Sales Link. As a former banker, sales trainer, and top personal producer, Brynne internalized the best traditional sales techniques and adapted them to the new digital world. She guides professionals to establish a thought leader and subject matter expert brand, find and engage the right targeted market, and leverage clients and networking partners for warm introductions to qualified buyers. In addition, Brynne is the Co-host of the Making Sales Social podcast and author of The LinkedIn Sales Playbook, a Tactical Guide to Social Selling.
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. - Networking Break | Headshots | Exhibitors
11:15 – 12:00 p.m. - "Peer Networking Session"
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. - Lunch | Headshots | Exhibitors
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. - "Imposter Syndrome: The Paradox of Success"
Jennifer Snook, Senior Vice President, Haberfeld
Impostor syndrome is a pervasive phenomenon, often underestimated in its prevalence and affecting individuals across all levels of experience. Paradoxically, it tends to intensify as one ascends the ranks and shoulders greater responsibilities. This underscores the critical need to develop strategies for both recognizing and combatting it effectively. In this fast-paced session, we will explore key strategies to finding and owning your greatness.
Key points to be covered:
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception | Networking
Thursday, May 1, 2025
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. - Registration | Breakfast | Networking | Headshots
8:45 – 9:15 a.m. - Welcome Remarks | Table Icebreaker
Amanda McKenzie, 2025 Chair, Women & Allies Council and Vice President & Director of Human Resources, First United Bank & Trust
9:15 – 10:10 a.m. - "Session 1"
Anne M. Balcer, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief of Government Relations and Public Policy, Independent Community Bankers of America
Anne Balcer is senior executive vice president, chief of government relations and public policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA). In this role she works with other members of ICBA’s executive management team to shape the association’s policy strategy and advance the interests of the nation’s community banks. Balcer leads ICBA’s congressional and government relations teams and oversees ICBA’s advocacy initiatives in the legislative, regulatory, lending, accounting and payment system areas. Prior to joining ICBA, Balcer served in an executive role at Forbright Bank, formerly Congressional Bank, advising its executive management team and board of directors while managing all aspects of legal, regulatory and compliance oversight. Balcer served as Maryland’s deputy commissioner of financial regulation from 2010 to 2013 and was lauded for her consensus building approach to regulation and policy. Experienced in government relations and public policy at the state and federal level, Balcer has testified before Congress, the TARP Oversight Committee and in state and local legislatures. Balcer received her J.D., magna cum laude, with honors, from the University of Baltimore School of Law and her B.A. from Randolph Macon College.
10:10 - 11:00 a.m. - "AI in Banking"
Brynne Tillman, CEO, The Modern Banker
Brynne Tillman has trained more than 100,000 Entrepreneurs, sales teams, sales trainers, and business leaders on how to leverage LinkedIn for social selling and has been in the industry for over a decade. With nearly 68,000 followers, Brynne is widely known as The LinkedIn Whisperer and the CEO of Social Sales Link. As a former banker, sales trainer, and top personal producer, Brynne internalized the best traditional sales techniques and adapted them to the new digital world. She guides professionals to establish a thought leader and subject matter expert brand, find and engage the right targeted market, and leverage clients and networking partners for warm introductions to qualified buyers. In addition, Brynne is the Co-host of the Making Sales Social podcast and author of The LinkedIn Sales Playbook, a Tactical Guide to Social Selling.
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. - Networking Break | Headshots | Exhibitors
11:15 – 12:00 p.m. - "Peer Networking Session"
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. - Lunch | Headshots | Exhibitors
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. - "Imposter Syndrome: The Paradox of Success"
Jennifer Snook, Senior Vice President, Haberfeld
Impostor syndrome is a pervasive phenomenon, often underestimated in its prevalence and affecting individuals across all levels of experience. Paradoxically, it tends to intensify as one ascends the ranks and shoulders greater responsibilities. This underscores the critical need to develop strategies for both recognizing and combatting it effectively. In this fast-paced session, we will explore key strategies to finding and owning your greatness.
Key points to be covered:
- Knowledge is power: Understand what key factors impact community banks today
- Effective communication is a necessity: Communicating confidently involves expressing yourself clearly, assertively, and with a sense of self-assurance
- Confidence: Know your strengths and being unapologetic; know your weakness/liabilities and owning them
1:45 - 1:55 p.m. - Networking Break | Headshots | Exhibitors
1:55 – 2:55 p.m. - "Finding Your Voice: Speaking Up and Advocating for Yourself"
Jonelle Marie Carter, Speaker, Author, Personal & Professional Development Coach
This session focuses on developing the confidence to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in any situation. Whether in personal relationships, at work, or in social settings, you'll learn how to communicate effectively and assert yourself. Through practice and self-awareness, you'll build the courage to use your voice and advocate for what you want and need.
2:55 – 3:00 p.m. - Concluding Remarks /Adjournment
1:55 – 2:55 p.m. - "Finding Your Voice: Speaking Up and Advocating for Yourself"
Jonelle Marie Carter, Speaker, Author, Personal & Professional Development Coach
This session focuses on developing the confidence to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs in any situation. Whether in personal relationships, at work, or in social settings, you'll learn how to communicate effectively and assert yourself. Through practice and self-awareness, you'll build the courage to use your voice and advocate for what you want and need.
2:55 – 3:00 p.m. - Concluding Remarks /Adjournment
Registration & AllyShip Support Levels
MBA/VBA Member Early-Bird Registration - $399 per person (Before April 10)
MBA/VBA Member Registration - $425 per person (After April 10)
Non-Member Registration - $649 per person
MBA/VBA Member Registration - $425 per person (After April 10)
Non-Member Registration - $649 per person
Interested in bringing multiple attendees and supporting this event at a higher level? The following Allyship Support Levels are available. All include recognition as a supporter of the event, including on signage, name tags, and promotional marketing.
Cheerleader Allies - $5,000
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Advocate Allies - $3,500
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Amplifier Allies - $2,000
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Champion Allies - $1,000
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Hotel Information
Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel
1739 West Nursery Road
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel at the rate of $159/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. Reservation link will be available soon!
1739 West Nursery Road
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel at the rate of $159/night, plus applicable taxes and fees. Reservation link will be available soon!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in sponsoring the 2025 Women & Allies Conference? View Sponsorship Opportunities or contact Ann DeVilbiss, MBA's Head of Events & Membership Experience, for additional information.
If you have questions, please contact MBA's Head of Events & Membership Experience Ann DeVilbiss (443-837-1606) for additional information.