BOLT Leadership Academy

Introducing the WBA BOLT Leadership Academy, a newly formed program bringing together a cohort of 20–25 community banking emerging leaders over a 15-month period for extensive industry and leadership education, along with several networking opportunities for the group.

The application period for the 2024-25 BOLT Leadership Academy has closed. Please watch for information to be posted in early 2025 with information and application form for the 2025-26 session.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

This program has been designed for highly motivated emerging bank leaders who have a desire to grow their leadership skills and grow a trusted network of community banking peers from across the state. The selected cohort members will come from diverse business functions within the banking industry and various locations from throughout Wisconsin.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE FROM JUST ATTENDING BOLT SUMMITS?

In addition to attending the two statewide BOLT Summits that are offered annually, this new program will expand on BOLT’s mission by allowing participants to connect with other bankers at BOLT as well as several other programs developed exclusively for the leadership academy. The mission of the academy is to build a community of future banking leaders who are committed to advancing our industry while supporting their banks in serving the financial needs of the communities that they serve.

Limited spots available – Applications for the 2024–25 BOLT Leadership Academy are due by March 22, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to review included education program dates to ensure they can commit to participating in all sessions.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Each selected member of the 2024–25 WBA BOLT Leadership Academy will begin their 15-month program in April 2024. Each member will receive a hard copy of the national best-selling book The Ideal Team Player, written by Patrick Lencioni. Members will also have the opportunity to attend a WBA Conference of their choice at a discounted registration rate.

INCLUDED IN-PERSON WBA EVENTS*

• WBA BOLT Summer Leadership Summit: June 13–14, 2024 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells (registration fee for this program by itself: $250/attendee)
• WBA BOLT Winter Leadership Summit: November 7, 2024 at Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells (registration fee for this program by itself: $150/attendee)
• Communicate and Connect with Confidence Workshop: March 4, 2025, location TBD – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
  Speaker: Karen Butcher, InterAction Training
  Communicating effectively is an art. Regardless of your position in the organization, elevating your communication skills will impact relationships with peers, customers, and the CEO. Participants will move beyond theory into practical ideas for communicating assertively, coaching, and giving feedback, and much more. Karen Butcher brings an experiential presentation style to her workshops and has a gift for getting everyone involved. Get ready to dig deep.
  • Assess personal communication styles
  • Recognize how ego gets in the way of effective communication
  • Identify strengths and blind spots
  • Reduce workplace drama
  • Clarify the difference between feedback and coaching
  • Practice a variety of conversations
  • Leave with a plan of action
• 2025 WBA Capitol Day: spring date TBD
• 2025 WBA BOLT Summer Leadership Summit – including graduation ceremony for 2024–25 BOLT Leadership Academy Cohort: June 2025 TBD

*Your academy registration will include the registration for the listed in-person events. Please note that travel and overnight expenses will be the responsibility of the bank and are not included with the academy registration.

VIRTUAL TRAINING

• WBA & Program Orientation: April 19, 2024 10:30 a.m. – Noon CT – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
• 8-part Understanding Bank Performance series (registration fee for this program by itself: $1,000/attendee)
  All sessions are recorded and accessible to watch on-demand for approximately 60 days after the series ends, participants can defer to attend a later UBP series in Summer or Fall 2024 if need be.
  Speaker: Duncan Taylor, Washington Bankers Association
  • April 30, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Fundamentals of Financial Statements Part 1
  • May 2, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Fundamentals of Financial Statements Part 2
  • May 7, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Credit Metrics & Credit Quality
  • May 9, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Funding & Liquidity
  • May 14, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Capital & Bank Investments
  • May 16, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Risk & Return
  • May 21, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Capstone Overview
  • May 23, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Proforma Capstone
• Building Leader Awareness & Effectiveness: May 13, 2024 virtual half-day session (1-4 p.m.) – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
  Speakers: Julia Johnson and Jen Porett, Wipfli LLP
  
  • Building on the results that participants receive from The Predictive Index (PI) assessment that they will take online prior to this session.
  • Discuss the 5 roles of leadership.
  • Discuss what is a “self-aware leader.”
  • Understanding others’ motivating needs and behaviors.
  • Identify opportunities for personal development and growth!
• Discussion on the national best-selling book The Ideal Team Player: October 4, 2024 virtual half-day session (9–12 a.m.)– presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
  Speaker: Vicki Kraai, InterAction Training
  • Members will receive their copy of the book from WBA at the BOLT Summer Leadership Summit June and should read the book prior to the October virtual program.
  • Discuss the three essential virtues outlined in the book
  • Group exercises to apply the concepts of the book to you and your team
• Leading Multi-generational Organizations: January 2025 – 2 virtual half-day sessions (date and time TBD) – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
  Speaker: Dr. Melissa Furman, Career Potential LLC

BOLT Leadership Academy Tuition:

Selected banker participants for the inaugural 2024–25 WBA BOLT Leadership Academy will be invoiced a total of $2,195/member. Tuition includes registration and materials for the programs listed as included events – three (3) total BOLT Summit registrations; one (1) day Communication Workshop registration; five (5) virtual half-day sessions; and registration for the 8-part Understanding Bank Performance series.

Please note that travel and overnight expenses will be the responsibility of the bank and are not included with the academy registration.

WBA BOLT Leadership Academy

This newly formed BOLT Leadership Academy will bring together a cohort of 20–25 community banking emerging leaders over a 15-month period for extensive industry and leadership education, along with several networking opportunities for the group. Applications are due March 22, 2024. Limited spots available!

Full Name(Required)

Current Title(Required)

Bank Name(Required)

Bank Address(Required)

Street Address City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP

Work Email(Required)

Work Phone(Required)

Brief description of your career in banking(Required)

roles held, current responsibilities, etc.

Share how this program could benefit you personally as well as your bank(Required)

Nominating Officers Name(Required)

Nominating Officer's Email(Required)

If selected to participate in the 2024–25 class, are you committed to the time and financial commitment required?(Required)

Yes

No

CAPTCHA