Summit Forums Rewind | Washington Summit

Master the Game Within – Patrick McAndrew
HARA’s Patrick McAndrew shifted our outdated way of thinking that more activity equals more value. Instead of focusing on many tasks at once and being pulled in every direction, focus your attention on the properties that move the needle. Access the Six-Steps of Prioritization handout. Access Win Back Your Time Workbook.

Top Three Takeaways

• Get quickly recentered when disruptions strike, turning potential lost hours into productive momentum.
• Feel in command of your technology, not commanded by it.
• Design your daily system around high-impact priorities, ensuring progress despite constant change.

Competing in a Hyper-Distracted World: Attention, Action and Impact – Betsy Hubbard

Mindset Digital’s Betsy Hubbard provided practical tips on how to be a more effective communicator in a hyper-distracted world. The most compelling messages that break through the noise are often the simplest and most authentic.

Top Three Takeaways

• Make your emails short, organized and skimmable.
• Lean into storytelling.
• Listen loudly.

Leading for Today and Tomorrow: A Conversation with ABA Leadership – John Asbury, Rob Nichols, Noel Hansen
ABA Chair John Asbury and ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols shared insights into their career journey, the importance of mentorship and how they prioritize objectives and long-term strategies

Top Three Takeaways

• Setbacks can often turn out to be unexpected blessings that can shape and strengthen your career.
• Embrace new opportunities with confidence—never hesitate to say yes.
• While the industry is constantly changing and evolving, it’s essential for emerging leaders to continue advocating for the banking industry both locally and nationally.

Fireside Chat: Amplifying Your Voice and Building Relationships to Influence Policymakers – Kirsten Sutton, Mike Lawler
ABA’s Kirsten Sutton had a candid conversation with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on the importance of advocacy and creating meaningful connections with policymakers.

Top Three Takeaways

• Establish relationships with your elected officials.
• Share how an issue affects not just your bank, but your customers and community, using real stories.
• Follow up after your meeting and continue the relationship through timely updates, local office engagement and invitations to relevant events.

ABA Insight: Grassroots Advocacy – Christina Geffrard, Matthew Vaillant, Laura Lilly
This panel spoke about the importance of bankers getting involved in grassroots advocacy, specifically sharing the work of the Emerging Leaders Council Grassroots Working Group in developing materials and resources aimed at helping bankers who are new to advocacy get involved.

Top Three Takeaways

• When you speak from both empathy and authenticity, your advocacy becomes not just personal, but powerful.
• If you are unsure about getting involved, just remember that even a small contribution can make a big difference.
• Use ABA’s grassroots tools and resources to get started.

ABA Insight: BankPAC – Sarah Baker
ABA’s Sarah Baker delivered a short presentation on how BankPAC helps strengthen the banking industry’s collective voice in Washington. Sarah premiered a new BankPAC educational video showcasing its purpose, impact and role in ABA’s advocacy efforts.

Top Three Takeaways

• Participation in the political process is essential to ensuring policymakers understand the critical role banks play in driving economic growth and serving their communities.
• BankPAC, ABA’s federal political action committee, is a powerful advocacy tool that supports candidates for federal office who are aligned with the banking industry in the policymaking process. By pooling our resources through BankPAC, we can speak with a unified voice that helps us tell our story as an industry and elect candidates who champion banking.
• Before you can participate in BankPAC, however,ABA is required by the Federal Election Commission to obtain formal Prior Authorization from your bank. After your bank completes this quick electronic form, ABA can communicate directly with you and designated employees about BankPAC for up to five years. We encourage your bank to submit the authorization today to stay fully engaged. If your bank has already done so, thank you.

The Exchange Live: An Honest Conversation with Emerging Bank Leaders – Margi Fleming, Jennifer Huffman, Billie Jo Parker, Ryan Coaxum
This dynamic session featured past ABA Emerging Leader Award Winners to bring the new ABA Emerging Leaders Exchange to life—a platform that offers emerging leaders a way to connect, share insights and support each other as you advance in your career.

Top Three Takeaways

• Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way—and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
• Reflect on the things you can do now without the title to prepare for career advancement.
• Learn how your organization operates both vertically and horizontally to help you strategically navigate and shape your career path.

From the Ring to the Rainforest: Leadership Principles from an Ultimate Fighter’s Remarkable Journey – Justin Wren
Justin detailed his journey: overcoming bullying, becoming a champion MMA fighter and struggling with addiction. It was only when he shifted his focus too fighting for others that he discovered his true passion and purpose. Through his organization Fight for the Forgotten, Justin has built 97 wells, providing clean water to over 80,000 people.

Top Three Takeaways

• You’re never too small to make a difference.
• If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
• Find purpose through service.

Additional Resources and Dates to Know

Sign up for the Emerging Leaders Exchange!
This community is a hub for rising leaders in banking. Connect, share insights and grow your network.

Apply or Nominate a Colleague for the Emerging Leader Awards!
Developing future bank leaders is critical for our industry. Entry period ends June 20.

Save the Date: ABA Annual Convention
Join us in Charlotte from October 19-21, featuring the first-ever speed networking event for emerging leaders.