Banking on Brilliance: Meet the Women Leading the Banking Industry into 2025

Community banking is in the midst of a quiet yet powerful digital revolution. While it may not always capture the headlines, there’s a remarkable group of bankers leading the charge—passionate, dedicated, and driven to reshape their institutions with an eye on a new era.

Now in its second year, the KlariVis Banking on Brilliance Awards celebrate exceptional women redefining what’s possible in community banking. These innovators are transforming their organizations, moving beyond traditional spreadsheets to strategic powerhouses that harness technology and data in groundbreaking ways.

From CEOs to technology officers, this year’s honorees are architecting advancements that will shape their banks well beyond their own tenures. Their work goes farther than standard modernization; they are reimagining how banks can operate, grow, and serve their communities in a digital-first world. Their leadership sets them apart—for their technical expertise, of course, but also for their advancement of community-focused, forward-looking banking.

Award Methodology:

Each nominee and winner was nominated by a colleague or validated by multiple references for self-nominations. A panel of industry experts reviewed all submissions, with scores aggregated to identify the 2024 honorees.

Congratulations to the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Award winners!

 

 

Elizabeth T. “Beth” Beale

Title: EVP, Chief Financial Officer 

Bank: Benchmark Community Bank 

Beth Beale joined the Benchmark Community Bank team in 2023 and hasn’t stopped running since. In just her first year, Beale catalyzed transformative change through a visionary approach to data analytics and process optimization. She led a swift implementation and adoption period of KlariVis, the impact of which has been felt all the way up to Benchmark’s board of directors. Beale’s uncanny ability to see through the mire and establish effective, efficient processes has earned her the title of an invaluable agent of change in the organization. 

 

 

Cynthia Cain

Title: EVP, Chief Accounting Officer 

Bank: SmartBank 

A transformative force in data-driven banking, Cynthia Cain has helped revolutionize SmartBank’s approach to decision-making through technology. Cain has been at the helm of multiple systems implementations, including financial reporting and analysis, the impact of which has been felt on both a departmental and regional basis. Her commitment to leveraging data to drive efficiency and process improvement continues to position her as a pillar of innovation and change across the institution. 

 

 

Jill Castilla

Title: President & CEO, ROGER Bank

Bank: Citizens Bank of Edmond 

Jill Castilla is no stranger to being at the forefront of innovation. Her groundbreaking initiatives include launching ROGER, a digital bank serving enlisted military members, and patenting Midtown Bank’s unmanned banking technology that has originated over $60 million in loans. Under her leadership, Citizens Bank of Edmond (CBE) has capitalized on community impact through programs like Heard on Hurd, Rise, and Vault 405, bolstering small businesses in the small Oklahoman town. In addition to her responsibilities at CBE, Castilla serves as the Federal Advisory Council Vice President for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors representing the 10th District, a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, as well as the addition of many other board positions. 

 

 

Kayla Dixon

Title: Consumer Lending Officer 

Bank: Wayne Bank 

Kayla Dixon has a natural curiosity and a penchant for data. As a champion of Wayne Bank’s enterprise data platform, KlariVis, she’s aided in the adoption of the platform across the institution, training her colleagues on how to derive meaningful insights. Her data analysis has also helped double consumer lending production at the bank without compromising quality metrics. Dixon’s unique combination of technical expertise and approachable teaching style makes her an invaluable asset in advancing data-driven banking practices. 

 

 

Kimberly Dockery

Title: EVP, Chief of Staff 

Bank: Colony Bank 

Under Kimberly Dockery’s dynamic leadership as Chief of Staff, technological transformation and community impact seamlessly converge. Dockery has led multiple implementations, including a new financial data platform, a middleware API, an online deposit account opening platform, and most recently, a new digital banking platform to more than 40,000 customers. As executive sponsor of Colony Leadership Academy, she fosters the next generation of young leaders. In just four years, the program has dispersed over $100,000 in scholarships. Dockery’s strategic guidance has catapulted Colony’s efficiency metrics from the bottom to top quartile among the bank’s peer group, with net non-interest expense to average assets improving to 1.36%.  

 

Brandi Freeman

Title: AVP/IT, Business Services Manager 

Bank: Alliance Bank 

Brandi Freeman has proven herself to be a master of many trades. From transitioning Alliance Bank’s core systems to a hosted environment, to leading the bank’s new Business Services Department, to participating as a beta bank for a new deposit technology, her leadership and dedication to innovation demonstrates remarkable operational acumen. Freeman also recently inherited the bank’s workflows department, and in a short time has reduced the risk of error with immediate impact to efficiency. Beyond her technical achievements, her combination of deep industry knowledge, unwavering work ethic, and collaborative spirit makes her an inspirational figure to all who work with her. 

 

Ashley Grigar

Title: EVP, Chief Operations Officer

Bank: Community National Bank & Trust of Texas 

Ashley Grigar believes that the future of Community National Bank & Trust is always better than the past. As EVP and Chief Operations Officer, Grigar drives innovation through collaborative leadership and data-driven decision-making. Her implementation of enhanced mobile banking capabilities and card services has elevated the bank’s digital presence to compete with larger institutions, as well as improve customer experience and non-interest income. Her leadership philosophy centers on creating opportunities for employee impact while maintaining top-tier customer service and community involvement. 

 

 

Trica Harris

Title: SVP Retail Manager 

Bank: The First National Bank of Bastrop 

As SVP Retail Manager at First National Bank of Bastrop, Trica Harris has elevated the bank’s data-driven approach to customer service. Her development of the bank’s unique, innovative 2X2X2 customer onboarding process and Workplace Banking program demonstrates her dedication to both customer success and community growth. Harris is an avid user of the KlariVis platform and leads hands-on training initiatives that help team members learn how to use data effectively for customer service and market analysis. Her impact extends beyond banking through active community involvement and financial literacy education programs. 

 

 

Amanda Hensley

Title: AVP, New Accounts Coordinator 

Bank: Farmers & Merchants Bank 

Spearheading process automation at F&M Bank, Amanda Hensley has streamlined new deposit account operations across every branch at the bank. This year alone, Hensely has developed over 19 workflows that have significantly reduced manual processing time, cutting individual task completion from 10 minutes per request and saving a total of 250 hours annually. Her innovative approach to automation led to the expansion of her department to accelerate additional automation efforts. Her collaborative implementation style ensures smooth adoption of new processes while maintaining operational excellence. 

 

 

Susan Hubble

Title: Chief Information Officer 

Bank: Peoples Security Bank and Trust 

At Peoples Security Bank and Trust, Susan Hubble oversees a sophisticated technology network spanning three states and 50 locations. Her strategic oversight of core systems, online banking, and card processing has consistently earned the bank high marks from auditors and regulators. She has made a name for herself by consistently interacting with all areas of the bank to enhance internal processes, all while balancing a larger cost/benefit analysis. Her collaborative approach to product innovation and process improvement strengthens the bank’s operational foundation while mitigating organizational risk. 

 

 

Allana Lazeroff

Title: EVP, Chief Operating Officer 

Bank: Genesee Regional Bank 

As Chief Operating Officer at Genesee Regional Bank (GRB), Allana Lazeroff has been a driver of growth and change during her 17-year tenure, helping scale the institution from $100 million to over $1 billion in assets and expanding from 30 to 160 employees. She has been part of numerous enterprise application implementations and led GRB’s two-year infrastructure modernization initiative, migrating the bank’s entire technology platform to Microsoft 365. The project has generated over $100,000 in annual savings. Lazeroff’s leadership extends beyond operations through her involvement in Women@GRB, an internal organization she helped establish that advances professional development for female bankers.  

 

 

Barb MacLean

Title: SVP, Head of Technology Operations and Implementation Information Technology 

Bank: Coastal Community Bank 

Barb MacLean gets the job done, plain and simple. A consummate student of the banking and financial industry, her leadership and impact has helped the bank scale its operations and relationships (including 20 banking-as-a-service partners with over 7 million customer accounts), all while meeting increasing regulatory compliance and expectations. Within nine months, MacLean supervised the build of a state-of-the-art Lakehouse environment, as well as the partnership with Databricks to manage complex workflows. MacLean’s industry expertise and clear vision for banking innovation continues to make her a sought-after speaker, while her weekly Fintech Playlist blog disperses technology and banking trends to a diverse audience. 

 

 

Carrie McConnell

Title: President

Bank: Ridge View Bank 

From a single-employee startup to a growing community institution, Carrie McConnell has ushered in a new wave of banking in Roanoke, VA as Ridge View Bank’s founding President. In just three and a half years, she’s expanded the institution to three branches, created over 30 jobs, and implemented SMART Center technology to deliver white-glove service. McConnell’s leadership style combines technological advancement with personal customer relationships, attracting top local talent and driving community development through strategic projects like Valleydale (300-unit apartment complex). Her vision has established Ridge View as a catalyst for regional growth. 

 

 

Kathy Parker

Title: VP, Chief Financial Officer 

Bank: Community Financial Services Bank 

As the Chief Financial Officer, Kathy has mastered the art of turning data into action at Community Financial Services Bank. Drawing from her diverse experience across finance, operations, and banking center administration, she’s crafted innovative solutions for board reporting and regulatory oversight that anticipate future needs. While her quiet leadership style sets a high bar for excellence, it’s her hands-on approach to community involvement that truly sets her apart. As the lead of CFSB’s Culture Team, Parker is constantly working to positively shape CFSB’s future while maintaining its community-focused heart. 

 

 

Michelle Pennell

Title: SVP – Controller 

Bank: Coastal Carolina National Bank 

Michelle Pennell has found the formula for turning complex banking data into actionable insights that drive institutional success. Spearheading the bank’s KlariVis implementation, she’s propelled adoption of the platform to streamline operations across all banking functions, empowering teams to focus on strategic analysis. Her passion in optimizing board reporting and modernizing finance processes reflects her commitment to precision, while her thorough internal research and testing sets the standard for technical problem-solving at Coastal Carolina National Bank. Her “Can Do” attitude is rumored to be infectious at the bank as she continues to drive growth through technological innovation. 

 

 

Karen Rose

Title: SVP, Deposit Operations Senior Manager 

Bank: Farmers & Merchants Bank 

Karen Rose has a knack for turning tech headaches into operational victories. As SVP of Deposit Operations, she’s a go-to problem solver who’s successfully digitized mountains of (previously-manual) deposit forms through the strategic use of Jack Henry’s Enterprise Workflow. Not content with just making processes smoother, Rose champions her team’s professional growth, pushing for advanced certifications and robust fraud training programs. Her collaborative approach has turned the deposit operations team into a model of efficiency, proving that sometimes the best innovation isn’t just about new technology – it’s about empowering people to use it efficiently. 

 

 

Becky Smith

Title: EVP, Chief Revenue Officer 

Bank: SECU MD

Transforming SECU since 2019, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer Becky Smith has revolutionized the Maryland credit union’s digital banking experience, never having to compromise on its member-based focus. Under her leadership, Virtual Financial Centers – self-serving, online digital banking interfaces that combine multiple software solutions with human assistance – handle 95% of in-branch transactions, serving 15,000 appointments annually. Smith’s innovative vision extends beyond banking through the nationally recognized Kindness Month campaign, generating over 500,000 acts of kindness across Maryland. Her mentorship and collaborative leadership style have earned SECU recognition as a Top Workplace and spot on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Regional Banks.

 

 

Julieann M. Thurlow

Title: President & CEO 

Bank: Reading Cooperative Bank 

As President & CEO of Reading Cooperative Bank, Julieann Thurlow has established herself as a pioneering force in community banking, all while upholding the bank’s reputation and commitment to excellence. She has involved herself and Reading Cooperative in multiple powerful partnerships focused on the intersection of banking and technology, including being a founding member of Alloy Labs and Co-Chairing the Massachusetts Fintech Hub, among other programs. Thurlow’s commitment to financial inclusion led to the establishing of a fully bilingual branch in a minority-majority community, building trust and providing essential banking services to new customers. Under her guidance, RBC has been recognized as a Top 100 Women-Led Business for seven consecutive years. 

 

 

Stephanie Westington

Title: Chief Profitability Officer 

Bank: Peoples Security Bank and Trust 

Through analytical excellence and dedicated leadership, Chief Profitability Officer Stephanie Westington ensures Peoples Security Bank and Trust maintains rigorous financial standards all while prioritizing growth. Her understanding of balance sheet dynamics has inspired innovative approaches to enhancing profitability across net interest margin, non-interest income, and expense management. Westington’s is also fiercely committed to the personal and professional development of her staff. 

 

 

 

Dawn Winsett

Title: Lead Collateral Analyst, Floor Plan 

Bank: SmartBank 

Spearheading SmartBank’s floor plan operations, Lead Collateral Analyst Dawn Winsett’s reputation speaks for itself. One colleague even notes, “If Dawn is leading anything, it will be done right and before the deadline.” Winsett recently took the lead on a year-long implementation of open finance platform Solifi, which has reduced month-end processing from three days to one hour without increasing headcount. Her leadership in transitioning from manual processing to automated systems has enhanced dealer experiences, streamlined operations, and positioned SmartBank for continued growth in floor plan lending.