Executive Letter: Inspiring Our Future
By Rose Oswald Poels
Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) began its 2023–2024 fiscal year. A ceremony, held on June 7, formally installed Mound City Bank President and CEO Donna Hoppenjan as WBA’s chair of the Board, welcomed several new Board officers, and thanked those members who ended their term in 2023 for their valuable contributions to the Association.
Donna was able to sit down with me for a short conversation to introduce herself to the membership and highlight the goals she has for the organization for the upcoming year.
Donna first started her career in banking in 1977 as a teller at Mound City Bank in Platteville. After gaining experience in several areas of the bank — including human resources, audit, and trust — she was promoted to her current role as president and CEO in 2013.
As chair of the WBA Board of Directors, Donna encourages members to be an inspiration to their peers, to their community members, and on behalf of the banking industry in the upcoming fiscal year. As members continue to invest in the future of our industry, bankers throughout the state are encouraged to utilize WBA programs, resources, and events to not only gain expertise themselves, but also to inspire others in their organizations to do the same.
Through the Association’s various education opportunities — including in-person schools, conferences, and summits — bankers can develop their skills and network with their banking peers. WBA also offers a host of peer groups to connect with others, share ideas, and help one another grow in their careers; volunteer opportunities that inform WBA staff and elected officials; and resources — such as the Best Practices Library — that are created by bankers, for bankers.
Not only does the Association provide opportunities for bank leaders to encourage growth within their organization and train the next generation of banking leaders, programming presented by the WBA also extends beyond the walls of both member banks and the Association to benefit our entire industry.
Career night presentations and Power of Community Week are just a few examples of the ways in which WBA encourages bankers to be inspirations throughout their local communities. As Donna mentioned in her address to the Board, it is vital for the continued success of our industry that each of us also takes an active role in demonstrating the opportunities provided by a career in banking to students of all ages.
Whether you and your team choose to engage by volunteering as an Advocacy Officer, furthering your knowledge in a WBA Connect peer group, or working alongside students to expand their financial capabilities, our Association is excited to work alongside each of you to inspire our future.
To learn more about WBA Board Chair Donna Hoppenjan and her goals for the upcoming fiscal year, please enjoy watching the video and keep an eye out for a detailed article in WBA’s upcoming July/August Wisconsin Banker.
