ABA Recognizes Next Generation of Bank Leaders with 2026 Emerging Leader Awards

The American Bankers Association today announced the 2026 recipients of its annual ABA Emerging Leader Awards, which 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.

"The talent and dedication of this year's ABA Emerging Leaders reflect a passion for innovation, a commitment to excellence and a willingness to lead by example," said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. "We congratulate this outstanding group on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the contributions they will make to our industry and the communities they serve."

The winners were selected by a multi-round review process led by banking industry professionals after a review of nominations from 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. 25-27 in Salt Lake City. Learn more about each member of ABA's Class of 2026:

• Heather Arbour, vice president, BSA, fraud and compliance, Monson Savings Bank, Monson, Mass.;
• Adriana Channell, vice president, marketing and corporate secretary, Davis Trust Company, Elkins, W.Va.;
• Kirk M. Goehring, chief executive officer, Decatur County Bank, Jackson, Tenn.;
• Jake Guidry, market president and senior vice president, Lafayette region, Fidelity Bank, Lafayette, La.;
• Becky Hallman, executive vice president and human resources director, River Bank & Trust, Prattville, Ala.;
• Shimonah Israel, vice president, Citi, New York;
• Amanda Rubeck, vice president and senior retail sales officer, STAR Financial Bank, Indianapolis;
• Emily Schwartz, director of financial education, MidFirst Bank, Phoenix;
• Cletus "C.J." Tate, senior vice president and senior credit officer, First Peoples Bank of Tennessee, Jefferson City, Tenn.;
• Ross Weems, senior vice president, Private Client Group, BankPlus, Jackson, Miss.; and
• Blake J. Wilson, executive vice president, president of healthcare banking, INSBANK, Nashville, Tenn.

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About the American Bankers Association

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation's $26.5 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ over 2 million people, safeguard $20.7 trillion in deposits and extend $13.9 trillion in loans.