2025 SDBA NEXT STEP: Emerging Leaders Summit

October 28-29, 2025

Kessler's Champions Club, Northern State University | Aberdeen, SD

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ABOUT

NEXT STEP: Emerging Leaders Summit is designed to help cultivate, connect, engage and empower South Dakota’s future bank leaders. This event will encourage emerging bank leaders to find and express their voices within their organizations, communities and the banking industry and provide opportunities to network and exchange ideas with other industry professionals. It will also increase emerging bank leaders’ knowledge of topics of interest to the banking industry and promote involvement and advocacy.

EVENT LOCATION

Kessler’s Champions Club in the Barnett Center on Northern State University’s Campus
Intersection of 15th Ave SE and State | Aberdeen, SD 57401

EVENT HOTEL

Fairfield Inn & Suites
2901 6th Ave SE
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605.229.9990
Rate: $115 | Booking Link
Cut-off date: September 28, 2025

REGISTRATION FEES

Early Bird through September 21: $235.00 members; $385.00 non-members
General Rate, September 22-October 28: $250.00 members; $400.00 non-members
Onsite Fee: $265.00 members; $450 non-members
Cancellation Policy: 100% refund if cancelled October 13 or sooner; 75% refund if cancelled October 14-20; no refund October 21 or later.

ATTIRE

Suggested casual to business casual. We recommend layers; bring a sweater or jacket as meeting spaces tend to vary in temperature. 

AGENDA

ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW ARE CDT. 

DAY 1: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28

12:30 p.m. | Registration Opens & Optional Networking
Lunch is on your own. 

1:15 p.m. | Opening Remarks & Housekeeping

1:30 p.m. | Mission Accomplished | Lena Scullard, LMS Productions | Isanti, MN | The Pursuit of Purpose is a transformative program designed to help individuals align their actions with a clear purpose and meaningful goals. Many professionals struggle with chasing external markers of success, leading to burnout and disconnection from what truly matters. This program equips participants with a practical, 10-step framework to define their personal mission, evaluate values, and focus on small, intentional actions that create significant results.

By helping employees connect their daily efforts to a larger sense of purpose, organizations foster greater clarity, motivation, and resilience across their teams. Participants learn to set achievable goals, prioritize effectively, and cultivate mental clarity—all of which enhance productivity, collaboration, and engagement.

When individuals work with purpose, the ripple effect benefits the entire organization. Employees become more self-driven, aligned with organizational values, and equipped to handle challenges with confidence and accountability. Investing in Mission Accomplished empowers people to bring their best selves to work every day, contributing to a positive culture and improved outcomes.

2:20 p.m. | You Belong Here: Defeating Imposter Syndrome | Kristina Schaefer, Dacotah Bank | Sioux Falls, SD | Have you ever doubted your own abilities? Have you ever felt like you were the least qualified person in the room? Do you attribute your success to luck? Research shows that almost 70% of people may suffer from impostor syndrome. During this talk, Kristina will briefly explore the concept of imposter syndrome and offer practical tips for overcoming impostor syndrome or supporting those around you who might feel like imposters.

3:05 p.m. | Break

3:25 p.m. | Ignite Sessions

3:55 p.m. | Inside the Future of Banking: A Student Perspective | Dr. Sal Villegas, Northern State University | Aberdeen, SD | Join Dr. Sal Villegas and a panel of banking and financial services students from Northern State University as they share insights on NSU’s program, their expectations for future career paths, and perspectives on South Dakota’s evolving economy. This engaging discussion offers a glimpse into the next generation of financial leaders.

4:45 p.m. | Dismiss for the day

5:00 p.m. | Happy Hour & Networking at The Market on the Plaza | 506 S. Main Suite 4 | Aberdeen, SD 57401

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

7:30 a.m. | Breakfast & Optional Networking

8:35 a.m. | Lead, Influence, Impact: How Advocacy Elevates Leadership | Karl Adam, SDBA President & CEO | Pierre, SD | SDBA President and CEO Karl Adam leads an insightful conversation on the power of advocacy and engagement in shaping the future of banking. Learn how active involvement with the SDBA and the broader industry can amplify your leadership and influence. 

9:00 a.m. | Fireside Chat with the SDBA Board of Directors: Advocacy & Leadership | Chair Pete Mehlhaff, Great Plains Bank | Aberdeen, SD; Keith Knuppe, BankNorth | Warner, SD | The session continues with a fireside chat featuring members of the SDBA Board of Directors, who will share real-world perspectives on how advocacy not only strengthens our industry but also enhances personal and professional growth for emerging leaders.

9:30 a.m. | Break

9:50 a.m. | NEXT GEN: The Solution Room | Step into The Solution Room—a dynamic networking experience designed for candid conversations and peer-to-peer problem-solving. During this session, we’ll share challenges we’re facing in our banks, communities, or our personal leadership journey—and gain fresh perspectives from fellow emerging leaders. It’s a unique opportunity to exchange real-world insights, offer guidance, and walk away with practical ideas you can put into action right away. Don’t get too comfortable, we’ll be moving tables several times during this session.

10:40 a.m. | Let’s Talk: Trends, Ideas, and the Future of Banking Leadership | SDBA Staff: Karl Adam, Halley Lee, Natalie Likness & Laura Norton | Pierre, SD | No slides, no lectures—just a chance to connect and share. In this quick session, we’ll talk about the issues and opportunities you see as up-and-coming leaders in banking. From new industry trends to ideas for future events, your insights will help shape what’s next for our leadership community. Bring your thoughts and curiosity—we’ll build this conversation together.

11:00 a.m. | Break

11:10 a.m. | From Counterfeit to Canvas | Arthur J. Williams Jr., Artist | Once one of the most successful counterfeiters of U.S. currency, Arthur J. Williams Jr. transformed his mastery of detail into a celebrated art career. In this session, Arthur shares his remarkable journey from the streets of Chicago and federal prison to the walls of celebrity collectors—blending tales of ingenuity, risk, and reinvention.

12:00 p.m. | Dismiss & travel home safely!

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Please provide special requests, such as the need for a Mother's Room or dietary restrictions, to Natalie Likness by October 13, 2025.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Contact the SDBA at 605.224.1653 or email [email protected].