VACB and ICBA were proud to jointly sponsor two Virginia community bankers to attend ICBA’s LeadFWD program this past September in Minnesota. LeadFWD is widely regarded as the premier event for emerging community bank leaders, offering young professionals the opportunity to strengthen their skills, expand their industry knowledge, and connect with peers from across the country. This year, Jake Allen of Benchmark Community Bank and Lauren Hicks of Pioneer Bank represented Virginia at the program, and we invited them to share their experiences and key takeaways with our membership.
Jake Allen — Benchmark Community Bank
Being selected to receive a VACB scholarship to attend ICBA’s LeadFWD Summit was a tremendous honor. Throughout my banking career, I’ve benefited greatly from my involvement with VACB, particularly through the Compliance Forum, which has served as the foundation of my compliance knowledge. This past August marked 10 years with the wonderful team at Benchmark Community Bank (BCB). During my time as BCB’s Compliance Officer, I’ve grown from a one-person compliance department to leading a team of six, responsible for oversight of consumer protection regulations, the Bank Secrecy Act, and fraud risk management.
I am deeply grateful to BCB, VACB, and ICBA for investing in my professional development.
Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel connected to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, the LeadFWD Summit delivered an exceptional lineup of inspirational speakers who provided practical strategies for strengthening relationships and leadership skills. Peer discussions offered valuable insights from bankers nationwide, and both the main-stage and breakout sessions covered timely topics including postal fraud schemes, CAMELS ratings, competitive risks associated with cryptocurrency, and emerging AI solutions.
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer opened the conference with a powerful message about the importance of meaningful friendships and personal connections, both at home and in the workplace. She emphasized bridging the “real-ideal divide” by fostering genuine relationships. Later that day, Pat Dwyer brought energy and humor to his session on navigating chaos through improvisation, encouraging attendees to stay present and embrace challenges with a “Yes, and …” mindset.
Day two featured Dr. Jermaine Davis, who led impactful sessions on courageous conversations, managing conflict, emotional maturity, and embracing change — skills that empower teams and strengthen professional relationships. We also heard from ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey and ICBA Immediate Past Chairman Lucas White, who shared important updates on ICBA initiatives, the vital role of community banking, and ways emerging leaders can get involved at both the state and national levels.
I highly recommend the LeadFWD Summit to any emerging leader in community banking.
Lauren Hicks — Pioneer Bank
Attending LeadFWD: Mission Excellence was an invaluable experience for which I am incredibly grateful. While I have participated in ICBA certification programs in the past, this was my first opportunity to attend a leadership-focused conference — and I would not have been able to do so without VACB’s support. The event broadened my perspective on the community banking industry and deepened my understanding of both VACB’s and ICBA’s missions. I believe I will look back on this moment as the true beginning of my leadership journey in banking.
The conference offered a well-balanced mix of speakers, from ICBA leaders to motivational experts to seasoned industry professionals. It was inspiring to hear from individuals who could speak to a room full of community bankers with varying roles, experiences, and perspectives — yet still offer messages that resonated with all of us.
ICBA Immediate Past Chairman Lucas White encouraged emerging leaders not to shy away from involvement at both the state and national levels, even if stepping into those roles feels uncomfortable at first. He reminded us that our “why” is rooted inside our banks, but the “how” often comes from external engagement — and that opportunities often arise when we ask for them. ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey spoke passionately about ICBA’s advocacy efforts and encouraged us to leverage relationships, lean into our strengths, push beyond our comfort zones, and enjoy the journey.
I’ll admit I felt far outside my comfort zone at the start of the conference — sitting in a room full of unfamiliar bankers in a state I’d never visited. Yet by the end of our first peer-to-peer session, the apprehension was gone. As the conference progressed, I became eager to meet even more bankers, hear their perspectives, and learn from their successes and challenges. In just a few days back in my office, I’ve already shared new ideas with my department, senior management, and our President/CEO. I even joined the planning committee for our next In-Service Day, which will center around a Campaign of Excellence. I’m excited to bring the enthusiasm and insights I gained at LeadFWD back to my community bank.
And this is only a snapshot of what I learned. Each speaker, breakout session, and activity offered something meaningful. I left with new knowledge, new connections, lasting memories — and yes, I did ride the roller coasters at the Mall of America!
The experiences shared by Jake and Lauren highlight the impact of investing in the next generation of community bank leaders. Their insights, renewed perspectives, and enthusiasm reflect the very purpose of the LeadFWD program — to empower emerging professionals with the tools, connections, and confidence to lead their institutions and the industry forward. VACB is proud to support rising talent within our membership, and we look forward to seeing how Jake and Lauren continue to grow, lead, and inspire within their banks and the broader community banking family.
