Executive Letter: New Opportunity to Invest in Your Emerging Leaders
By Rose Oswald Poels
Announced earlier this month during the annual Bank Executives Conference, the Wisconsin Bankers Association has launched our newest opportunity for emerging bank leaders — the BOLT (Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow) Leadership Academy. Having long prioritized professional development to ensure that members stay at the forefront of industry trends and best practices as they move through their career, the Association is excited to expand upon this commitment to present a formalized leadership program designed specifically for your bank’s highly motivated emerging leaders.
Each year, thousands of bankers utilize the Association — whether for participating in educational programs or leveraging resources — to foster their professional development and enhance their contributions to the industry. For over a decade, WBA’s BOLT Program has propelled countless bankers across the state into leadership positions. In establishing a comprehensive and structured approach to leadership development as part of the BOLT Leadership Academy, the Association looks forward to continuing our legacy of shaping the aspiring leaders of Wisconsin’s banking industry for generations to come.
The BOLT Leadership Academy takes the success of WBA’s well-established BOLT Program one step further through an all-encompassing and targeted experience for a cohort of 20 to 25 bankers. This structured approach aims to empower participants with the skills and broad knowledge necessary to successfully navigate the complexities of being a leader in the banking industry.
Throughout the 15-month program, bankers will take part in a number of in-person and virtual events — many of which have been developed exclusively for the Academy participants — to facilitate long-lasting connections and hone essential leadership competencies, including strategic management, risk assessment, and communication. The curriculum for the BOLT Leadership Academy extends the BOLT mission to assist members in advancing as leaders all while making the most of the small group setting.
WBA is now accepting applications from aspiring banking leaders who are interested in developing their skills to advance their career in our industry. With limited space available, please encourage your bank’s emerging leaders to complete the application before Friday, March 22, 2024.
