We are now accepting applications for the 2025-26 WBA BOLT Leadership Academy group!
The academy was formed in 2024, bringing together a cohort of 20–25 community banking emerging leaders over a 13-month period for extensive industry and leadership education, along with several networking opportunities for the group. The inaugural 2024-25 academy group will complete their program in June 2025.
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 2025–26 BOLT Leadership Academy are due by March 28, 2025. 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 2025–26 WBA BOLT Leadership Academy will begin their 13-month program in June 2025. 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 5-6, 2025 at Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells (registration fee for this program by itself: $250/attendee)
- WBA BOLT Winter Leadership Summit: November 5, 2025 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells (registration fee for this program by itself: $150/attendee)
- Communication Workshop: March 2026, full day workshop, date & location TBD – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
- 2026 WBA Capitol Day: winter/spring date TBD
- 2026 WBA BOLT Summer Leadership Summit – including graduation ceremony for 2025–26 BOLT Leadership Academy Cohort: June 11-12, 2026, Wisconsin Dells
*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: May 20, 2025, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. – 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 Fall 2025 if need be.
Speaker: Duncan Taylor, Washington Bankers Association- July 10, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Fundamentals of Financial Statements Part 1
- July 11, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Fundamentals of Financial Statements Part 2
- July 17, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Credit Metrics & Credit Quality
- July 18, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Funding & Liquidity
- July 24, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Capital & Bank Investments
- July 25, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Risk & Return
- July 31, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Capstone Overview
- August 1, 10:00 a.m.–Noon CT: Proforma Capstone
- Building Leader Awareness & Effectiveness: August 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – Noon CT – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
Speaker: 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 3, 2025 virtual half-day session (9:00 a.m. – Noon)– 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 7 & 8, 2025 virtual half-day sessions (9:00 a.m. – Noon) – presented exclusively for Leadership Academy Cohort
Speaker: Dr. Melissa Furman, Career Potential LLC
BOLT Leadership Academy Tuition:
Selected banker participants for the 2025–26 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; four virtual sessions presented exclusively for the group; 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
The BOLT Leadership Academy will bring together a cohort of 20–25 community banking emerging leaders over a 13-month period for extensive industry and leadership education, along with several networking opportunities for the group. Applications are due March 28, 2025. Limited spots available!
