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ABA: The American Bankers Association
Press Release
  • For Immediate Release
  • October 22, 2024

ABA Recognizes Next Generation of Bank Leaders with 2024 Emerging Leader Awards

WASHINGTON —

The American Bankers Association today announced the 2024 recipients of its annual ABA Emerging Leader Awards. These awards recognize the next generation of bank leaders who are committed to the highest standards of achievement and service to both their industry and their local communities.

“This year’s ABA Emerging Leaders are an impressive group of rising stars that have already had a measurable impact on our banking community,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “We are excited to see what the future brings as they continue to innovate and elevate our industry going forward.”

The winners were selected by a diverse steering committee of industry professionals after a review of nominations from banks across the country. The qualities and characteristics the committee evaluated as judging criteria included dedication to the profession, inventiveness, leadership skills, mentoring ability, personal integrity, tenure at the bank and broader commitment to a career in banking, sustained career progress, and academic training including advanced degrees and certificates/certifications.

The winners will be recognized during the upcoming ABA Annual Convention Oct. 27-29 in New York. Learn more about each member of ABA’s Class of 2024:

  • Benjamin J. West, director of credit & risk learning, Zions Bancorporation, Salt Lake City;
  • Jon Hummel, vice president, commercial banking, West Bank, West Des Moines, Iowa;
  • Jeanne Marie Keller, senior vice president, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Annapolis, Md.;
  • Jacob Cavazos, senior vice president, community reinvestment manager, Broadway Bank, San Antonio;
  • Courtney Austin, assistant vice president, marketing director, Franklin Savings Bank, Farmington, Maine;
  • Miguel Alban, senior vice president, national director of multicultural banking, Customers Bank, West Reading, Pa.;
  • Nikita Thompson, BSA officer, assistant vice president, SpiritBank, Tulsa, Okla.;
  • Lacy Miles, senior vice president, treasury management & cashier, Community State Bank, Des Moines, Iowa;
  • Eileen Bowles Jennings, director of community lending and investment, Arvest Opportunity Fund, Fayetteville, Ark.;
  • Margi M. Fleming, senior vice president, human resources, branch administration and marketing, The Citizens Bank, Florence, S.C.;
  • Rachael Ausmus, senior vice president, director of private banking, Country Club Bank, Kansas City, Mo.; and
  • Alpa Yagnik, head of strategic planning & go-to-market, KeyBank, Warren, N.J.

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About the American Bankers Association

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $24.2 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ approximately 2.1 million people, safeguard $19.1 trillion in deposits and extend $12.6 trillion in loans.

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