Financial Women in Texas - Leadership Forum

FWIT Leadership Forum XI: 'You Grow Girl"

Saturday, April 12, 2025

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.

2025 Corporate Sponsor

Forum Networking Mixer

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.

Reservation Link

*If room shows unavailable please contact FWIT President Jessica Lovell*

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

Meet our Moderator: Olivia Hayden, Manager of Financial Success with UFCU

Meet our Panelists

Jamie Brown-Rosas

SVP, Chief Community & Business Development 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

* 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.

#FWIT #HelpingWomenSucceed

Previous Forums

Forum X - April 2024: Another FWIT Success! On Saturday morning, April 27th, over 40 FWIT members met at the beautiful new Texas Bankers Association headquarters, overlooking the Texas State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion.  We all had a great time networking while learning how to use our power and communicate effectively.
Forum IX - June 2023: Another FWIT Success! Almost 60 members - Networking with "old" friends - Making new friends - Fun Friday by the fire with s'mores and music - Great presentations by Debbie Peterson and Janine Kasper - 5 vendors for weekend retail therapy - A fun game to get to know our 2023-2024 leadership team - Helpful tips to enhance Association leadership skills - A cool retro-vibe venue - A free benefit for FWIT members! What more can you ask?

Forum VIII - June 2022:  A very successful 2022 Summer Leadership Forum was held June 11, 2022 at The Historic Menger Hotel in downtown San Antonio. Fifty-five members heard great speakers and participated in our Association's July Board meeting and planning session for the 2022-2023 FWIT year.

Check out the video to see what all you missed!
Forum VII - June 2021: The 2021 Forum was held on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, 1800 Highway 26 East in Grapevine, Texas 76051. We had a great attendance of over 30 members and guests. Julie Anderson, AKA The Brain Lady, was a fascinating speaker for the morning and we had a hybrid in-person and conference call Board meeting and 2020-2021 / 2021-2022 transition meeting the in afternoon.

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Registration and attendance at, or participation in, FWIT meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to FWIT’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) or the registrant’s or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videos, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.

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