For decades, the New York Bankers Association has brought you an excellent caliber of programming at our annual Financial Services Forum. Though we can’t gather together in person, this year is no different. We are pleased to announce our Virtual Speaker Series: History in Real Time– five dynamic and timely sessions tailored to your needs, while evoking our Forum format; bringing you top of mind programming while meeting you where you are.
Each month, we’ll host a lunchtime virtual town hall, featuring a keynote speaker and a workshop with access to the industry’s thought leaders, beginning with preeminent experts in political and economic analysis. As we continue to develop the series over time in this ever-changing landscape, there is one thing you can count on: we’ll bring you all the excellence that you’ve come to expect at our Forum, right at your doorstep and open to all.
Be a part of this Series, which will explore the most important challenges facing our industry and our nation, featuring the experts and insight you can access nowhere else.
Future thinking now; at this moment in history. History in Real Time.
SESSION FOUR
January 29, 2021
11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
11:00 a.m.
Closing the Opportunity Gap Workshop
Laura Hay, Managing Director | New York
National Banking Industry Team Lead
Pearl Meyer, LLC
12:00 p.m.
Closing the Wealth Gap
Keynote Panel Moderated by Derrick D. Cephas
Of Counsel
Squire Patton Boggs (New York)
ONLINE PROGRAM
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SESSION FOUR:
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
January 29, 2021
Our January speaker series session will focus on one of the most important themes to date: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. As banks continue to try to grow their ranks, leadership roles and boards in a more diverse and equitable way, we hope that this timely session will be both a practical guide and a constructive conversation on this most critical issue.
11am - 11:50am: Workshop Session - Closing the Opportunity Gap
DE&I is not just an in-the-moment trend. It is how your bank will transform to meet new industry challenges and grow revenue and market share. However, your journey to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution goes far beyond the conventional path.

This session will be led by Laura Hay, Managing Director (New York) and National Banking Industry Team Lead at Pearl Meyer, LLC and include recent survey data on current equity practices, revealing the divide between best intentions and effective actions, followed by a panel of leaders in the banking industry discussing best practices for closing the opportunity gap in the financial industry.
Panelists:
Cheryl D. Bowers
President & CEO
Rondout Savings Bank
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Adrian C. Shackelford
Senior Managing Director –
Talent Strategy, Engagement & Diversity
Sterling National Bank |
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Jeffrey Delepine II
SVP, Chief Compliance
Officer & Chief Diversity Officer
NBT Bank |
12pm - 1pm: Keynote Panel - Closing the Wealth Gap
Moderated by former NYS Superintendent of Banking and noted financial services attorney Derrick Cephas, this panel of Bank executives from around the state will discuss the wealth gap, structural and systemic barriers to wealth, corporate responsibility, the role of the pandemic in worsening the gap, and the role that the banking industry can play in building a more inclusive and diverse financial system.
Panelists:
Kevin J. Pearson
Vice Chairman
M&T Bank
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Alice Rodriguez
Managing Director,
Head of Community Impact
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
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Anders M. Tomson
President & CEO
Chemung Canal Trust
Company
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PLAN FOR FUTURE SESSIONS:
- SESSION FIVE: Regulatory Environment (February)
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Click here to register
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Thank You to our Sponsors!
Series Sponsors
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