Written by: Chanel Schmidt, Port Washington State Bank
The energy was electric at this year’s BOLT Winter Leadership Summit, where 175 bankers gathered — including over 70 first-time attendees — for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration. As a proud member of the WBA Building Our Leaders for Tomorrow (BOLT) Board of Directors, I couldn’t be more excited to see our community continue to grow and evolve.
We were fortunate to kick off the conference with Paul Northway, WBA Board Chair, who set the tone with a thought-provoking message around his 2025 theme: Relevance. He reminded us that relevance touches every part of our industry — from customer relationships and talent development to profitability and leadership. His message was a meaningful acknowledgment of the senior leadership across our institutions who invest in their teams, allowing us the opportunity to attend and grow through events like this one.
One of the standout sessions for me was “Cracking the Collaboration Code” with Nan Gesche, whose insight and authenticity resonated deeply with all of us. A key takeaway: “Without clarity, collaboration collapses.” Her emphasis on giving space, pacing ourselves, and extending grace was a powerful reminder of what effective collaboration truly requires. My personal favorite concept was Nan’s N.A.N. Model — Notice, Affirm, Nurture. It’s such a simple yet transformational approach to feedback and leadership. When we notice the good, affirm the effort, and nurture growth, we create teams that feel seen, valued, and supported.
And of course, the heart of every BOLT event — our peer group discussions. Ten engaging topics brought bankers together to share ideas, problem-solve, and collaborate on building better teams and stronger organizations. These sessions always remind me that while we represent different banks and communities, we’re all working toward the same goal: developing great leaders and strengthening our industry from within.
Final takeaway from the day is to always ask “Why” to create space for conversations and be curious as leaders!
Another incredible BOLT Summit in the books — time well spent and truly energizing. I’m so grateful to the WBA, our sponsors, and everyone who made this event possible.
If you haven’t yet attended a BOLT event, I encourage you to make this your year. I’ll be there — ready to shake your hand, share ideas, and welcome you to one of the most inspiring groups in banking.
Thank you to our BOLT Summit Sponsors!
Chanel Schmidt is vice president and branch manager with Port Washington State Bank, she also currently serves on the WBA BOLT Board of Directors.
