40th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference

June 26-28, 2025 | Galveston

IBAT’s Connecting Leaders Conference gives up-and-coming community bank leaders the opportunity to network, learn from and develop personal relationships with their peers and tenured leaders in the industry—all while enjoying family time in an informal setting. Members and staff both enjoy the unique aspects of this conference that make it unlike any other event throughout the year.

Keynote Speakers

Learning to LEAN IN: Leading with the 3 Cs
 In today’s banking world, leadership is more than metrics—it’s about people. In this high-impact keynote designed specifically for leaders in finance, Julie Schniers delivers a fresh perspective on what it means to lead with purpose, presence and people-first strategy.

Through her LEAN IN framework and the power of the 3 Cs—Communication, Connection and Confidence—Julie will help you unlock untapped potential within your team, your peers and yourself. Whether you’re navigating client relationships, team dynamics or organizational change, this session offers actionable tools that make an immediate impact.

Get ready to laugh, reflect and recharge your leadership mindset. You’ll walk away with renewed clarity on your WHY, practical strategies to lead with empathy and excellence and the inspiration to build stronger relationships across your bank and community.


Former NBA Player, Three-Time Champion, Defensive Specialist and Community Advocate
Bruce Bowen is a former professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional defensive prowess and integral role in the San Antonio Spurs' three NBA championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Over his 12-season NBA career, Bowen established himself as one of the league's premier perimeter defenders, earning All-Defensive Team honors eight times. His relentless work ethic and commitment to excellence made him a cornerstone of the Spurs' success during their dominant era in the early 2000s.

After retiring from professional basketball in 2009, Bowen transitioned into coaching and community engagement. In 2004, he launched the "Get FIT with Bruce and Buddy" campaign to promote healthy lifestyles among children. He also founded the Bruce Bowen Foundation, which provides scholarships and supports programs aimed at building character and self-respect in underserved youth.

CEO Panel


  


 


 

Hazem Ahmed

Founder and President
Integrity Bank SSB
Houston

  

Michael Scott

President and CEO
First Community Bank
San Benito

Aaron Flencher

President and CEO
Citizens State Bank
Somerville

  

Breanne Granberg

President
TXN Bank
Hondo

2025 Agenda 

 

 Wednesday, June 25
   Fishing Outing
 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Conference Registration

Thursday, June 26
 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Conference Registration
 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  General Session + Breakfast with Keynote Julie Schniers
 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Teddy Bear Mobile
 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.  Coffee | Refreshment Break
 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.   Concurrent Tracks: Leadership/Strategy | Operations | Risk Management | Credit/Lending
 11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.  Kids' Camp (includes lunch)
 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.  General Session + Lunch with Legislative Update: What the Heck is Happening in Texas and D.C.?
 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.  Concurrent Tracks: Leadership/Strategy | Operations | Risk Management | Credit/Lending
 2:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Free for Family Afternoon
 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  An Evening Under the Sea: Dinner and Entertainment 

Friday, June 27
 7:00 a.m. – Noon  Conference Registration
 7:15 – 9:00 a.m.  Buffet Breakfast
 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.  Concurrent Tracks : Leadership/Strategy | Operations | Risk Management | Credit/Lending
 8:45 – 10:15 a.m.  General Session with CEO Panel
 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.  Coffee | Refreshment Break
 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.  Concurrent Tracks: Leadership/Strategy | Operations | Risk Management | Credit/Lending
 Noon – 1:30 p.m.  Closing General Session and Awards Luncheon with Keynote Bruce Bowen
 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.  Concurrent Tracks: Leadership/Strategy | Operations | Risk Management | Credit/Lending
 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.  Free for Family Afternoon
 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Hospitality Suite
 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.  Friday Family Fun Night

 Saturday, June 28
 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.  Grab-and-Go Breakfast

2025 Event Sponsors

Strategic Sponsor
 
Diamond Sponsors

                  
Gold Sponsors

                                          

                      
Silver Sponsors

ADVANTAGE, Powered By JMFA
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
CollateralEdge
CP Insurance Associates
Diebold Nixdorf
ePayResources
 
Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP
FINTX, LLC
Financial Women in Texas
Glory Global Solutions
Holland & Knight LLP
IntraFi
Bronze Sponsors

AccuBranch
Agent IQ
Bedel Security
Data Business Equipment, Inc. (DBE)
Digital Onboarding, Inc.
Eide Bailly LLP
FIntegrate Technology
HC3
Kristopher James Company
LemonadeLXP
Revio Insight
 SHAZAM
SRM
Strunk LLC
Whitley Penn
 Blue Ribbon Sponsor
 
Kreps-Colgan & Associates Executive Search, LLC
SBS CyberSecurity, LLC