Forum Theme: 'You Grow Girl'
This will mark our 11th Forum. It will be held in the vibrant Silo District of Waco, Texas at the AC Hotel Waco Downtown! Plan to join us for an unforgettable day of inspiration, leadership, and networking. This event is held at no-cost* to FWIT members in good standing and open to non-members for a registration fee of $100.
Don't miss the Networking Mixer
Sponsored by: TFNB Your Bank for Life
Friday, April 11, 2025, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the AC Lounge Patio
Reservations for overnight accommodations may be made at
AC HOTEL WACO DOWNTOWN
600 Mary Ave, Waco, TX A special $179 room rate block has been set aside for FWIT members. *room rate extends from 4/10-4/12. The deadline for making your reservation is Wednesday, March 19, 2025. *If room shows unavailable please contact FWIT President Jessica Lovell*
600 Mary Ave, Waco, TX
A special $179 room rate block has been set aside for FWIT members. *room rate extends from 4/10-4/12. The deadline for making your reservation is Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
*If room shows unavailable please contact FWIT President Jessica Lovell*
Reservation Link
What exactly is Magnolia in Waco, TX? If you’re not familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines’ runaway success of an HGTV show, Fixer Upper, it’s hard to imagine a home improvement show that has sparked a brand encompassing everything from a restaurant to an entire district of decor shops, all centered around some abandoned agricultural equipment … And yet, that’s exactly what Magnolia Market, AKA Magnolia, AKA the Silos, is.
What exactly is Magnolia in Waco, TX?
If you’re not familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines’ runaway success of an HGTV show, Fixer Upper, it’s hard to imagine a home improvement show that has sparked a brand encompassing everything from a restaurant to an entire district of decor shops, all centered around some abandoned agricultural equipment … And yet, that’s exactly what Magnolia Market, AKA Magnolia, AKA the Silos, is.
Check back for the full day's agenda
Featured Keynote Speakers Shamim Okolloh - Vice President, Community Outreach Officer at Encore Bank Bloom & Belong: Co-Creating Pathways for Women of Color in Banking Shamim is an award-winning author and Vice President, Community Outreach Officer at Encore Bank, where she leads financial inclusion efforts for underserved communities in Central Arkansas. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, she moved to the U.S. at 19 and built a career dedicated to service and economic empowerment. She previously worked at the Arkansas Foodbank and Heifer International, supporting communities in Uganda. Shamim holds a bachelor’s from Spelman College and a Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service. She has been recognized as a Glamour Top Ten College Woman and named Women in Banking by Arkansas Business in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, Shamim and her son Liam co-authored Ella The Banker, inspired by her daughter’s dream of becoming a banker. The book promotes financial literacy and representation for women of color in banking and was distributed to all 559 Arkansas elementary schools. Featured on NBC, ABC, and Fox affiliates, Ella The Banker has won multiple awards and was honored with Ella The Banker Day by the Mayor of Little Rock. Through her work in banking and storytelling, Shamim remains committed to empowering underrepresented communities and inspiring future generations. Dr. Seema Desai - Transformational Success Coach Building Stress Immunity: Cultivate Calm, Bloom with Confidence Dr. Seema Desai is a former dentist turned certified professional coach, speaker, and author based in Austin, Texas. She specializes in guiding high-achieving, ambitious leaders toward authentic, internal success and well-being. Raised by Indian immigrant parents, Dr. Desai initially pursued a traditional path, becoming a dentist, but later recognized that this conventional definition of success left her feeling unfulfilled. This realization led her to transition into coaching, where she now empowers others to align their lives with their core values and achieve genuine fulfillment. In addition to her coaching practice, Dr. Desai is the author of Connected: Discovering Your Inner Guides, a children's book aimed at helping young readers understand and manage their emotions. She also co-hosts the Happy & Human podcast, sharing insights on personal development and leadership. Featured in various platforms, including Austin Business Woman, Dr. Desai is recognized as a speaker and credentialed executive coach specializing in performance and well-being. Through her coaching, writing, and speaking engagements, she is dedicated to helping individuals redefine success on their own terms and create lives filled with purpose and joy. Cultivating Leaders in Finance: Women to Watch Panel Jamie Brown-Rosas SVP, Chief Community & Business Dev. Officer, Texas Regional Bank Sherifat Lawal-Price SVP of Lending, Unity National Bank Makenna Rockafellow VP/Commercial Lender, Western Bank Kelsey Goates VP/Market Manager, TexasBank
Featured Keynote Speakers
Shamim Okolloh - Vice President, Community Outreach Officer at Encore Bank
Bloom & Belong: Co-Creating Pathways for Women of Color in Banking
Shamim is an award-winning author and Vice President, Community Outreach Officer at Encore Bank, where she leads financial inclusion efforts for underserved communities in Central Arkansas. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, she moved to the U.S. at 19 and built a career dedicated to service and economic empowerment. She previously worked at the Arkansas Foodbank and Heifer International, supporting communities in Uganda. Shamim holds a bachelor’s from Spelman College and a Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service. She has been recognized as a Glamour Top Ten College Woman and named Women in Banking by Arkansas Business in 2023 and 2024.
In 2024, Shamim and her son Liam co-authored Ella The Banker, inspired by her daughter’s dream of becoming a banker. The book promotes financial literacy and representation for women of color in banking and was distributed to all 559 Arkansas elementary schools. Featured on NBC, ABC, and Fox affiliates, Ella The Banker has won multiple awards and was honored with Ella The Banker Day by the Mayor of Little Rock. Through her work in banking and storytelling, Shamim remains committed to empowering underrepresented communities and inspiring future generations.
Dr. Seema Desai - Transformational Success Coach
Building Stress Immunity: Cultivate Calm, Bloom with Confidence
Dr. Seema Desai is a former dentist turned certified professional coach, speaker, and author based in Austin, Texas. She specializes in guiding high-achieving, ambitious leaders toward authentic, internal success and well-being. Raised by Indian immigrant parents, Dr. Desai initially pursued a traditional path, becoming a dentist, but later recognized that this conventional definition of success left her feeling unfulfilled. This realization led her to transition into coaching, where she now empowers others to align their lives with their core values and achieve genuine fulfillment.
In addition to her coaching practice, Dr. Desai is the author of Connected: Discovering Your Inner Guides, a children's book aimed at helping young readers understand and manage their emotions. She also co-hosts the Happy & Human podcast, sharing insights on personal development and leadership. Featured in various platforms, including Austin Business Woman, Dr. Desai is recognized as a speaker and credentialed executive coach specializing in performance and well-being. Through her coaching, writing, and speaking engagements, she is dedicated to helping individuals redefine success on their own terms and create lives filled with purpose and joy.
Cultivating Leaders in Finance: Women to Watch Panel
Jamie Brown-Rosas
SVP, Chief Community & Business Dev. Officer, Texas Regional Bank
Sherifat Lawal-Price
SVP of Lending, Unity National Bank
Makenna Rockafellow
VP/Commercial Lender, Western Bank
Kelsey Goates
VP/Market Manager, TexasBank
VENDOR OPPORTUNITY Limited Vendor Booth Spaces Available contact Laura Rodgers lrodgers@springhillbank.com * PLEASE NOTE - MEMBER CANCELLATION POLICY: Although this is offered FREE to FWIT members in good standing, the Association incurs costs for each Registrant. Registered Members who do not cancel by April 4th and do not attend will be invoiced $100. Substitutions are allowed with prior notification to Leadership Forum Committee Member, Laura Rodgers lrodgers@springhillbank.com.
VENDOR OPPORTUNITY
Limited Vendor Booth Spaces Available contact Laura Rodgers lrodgers@springhillbank.com
* PLEASE NOTE - MEMBER CANCELLATION POLICY:
Although this is offered FREE to FWIT members in good standing, the Association incurs costs for each Registrant.
Registered Members who do not cancel by April 4th and do not attend will be invoiced $100.
Substitutions are allowed with prior notification to Leadership Forum Committee Member, Laura Rodgers lrodgers@springhillbank.com.
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