BOLT Section Chair

2023–2024 BOLT Section Chair Meredith Strieff customers as I use to — but everything I do, the decisions I make, and the strategic plans I help put in place, all impact our customers.

My role is mainly behind the scenes. I make sure that our team members have the tools and resources internally that help provide a great experience and enrich the lives of our customers with each and every interaction. As a community banker, I care about the communities we serve and am passionate about ensuring that they have access to resources that will make their lives easier and better. I am inspired to not only provide these tools for others, but to help my team members have the same ability and mentality to create these opportunities.

How did you first hear about BOLT? Why did this opportunity seem like a good fit for you?

I first heard about BOLT from one of my senior managers at the time. He had attended a previous summit and thought it would be a great opportunity for me and a handful of my peers at the bank. Of course, like many new bankers, I was skeptical and shy. However, since my first event, I have been hooked because of its applicability to so many roles and experience levels as well as the breadth of resources provided.

As I continued my involvement with BOLT,

I never felt that I did not belong — BOLT has always been a welcoming and comforting environment. Even as a baby banker, the topics discussed helped me make sense of the industry and my role in shaping it. Even though I was not in the position to make organizational decisions 10 years ago, BOLT helped prepare me with the tools that would be make me ready for when that next step presented itself.

How has participating in BOLT impacted your career thus far?

BOLT provided me the opportunity to gain education that expanded beyond the training I received at the bank. At a high level, attending the BOLT summits helped me early on to understand how our industry works. Now, I continue to learn more about how the banking industry is evolving and how I can be proactive.

With so much information out there, it can be overwhelming for a banker — new to the industry or even those with decades of experience — to understand the intricacies. BOLT narrows that scope and helps future leaders understand where they can take initiative and ownership to educate themselves even further.

What is an experience that BOLT provided you with that you may have not otherwise had to chance to try?

I was asked to facilitate a round table at one of our summits, and I was extremely nervous! It was my first opportunity to be in the spotlight. But with the great support of my peers and the team at WBA — I just dove in. It ended up being the best conversation and experience that started with something as simple as leading a discussion, asking the questions, and helping people get that first conversation going.

BOLT helps future leaders understand where they can take initiative and ownership to educate themselves even further.

Are you an emerging community bank leader, or know someone who might be?

BOLT’s Summer Leadership Summit is just around the corner on June 15–16 in Wisconsin Dells. Register now for the upcoming event to see what over 500 BOLT members are talking about.

Visit wisbank.com/BOLT

Having the opportunity to take part in this experience really gave me the confidence I needed to navigate conversations and in speak up about my thoughts. Oftentimes, we see speakers and presenters at events and think to ourselves “there is no way I could do that,” or “they are that good because they do it all the time.” BOLT helped me realize — just by giving me the opportunity to try in a real, low stakes setting — that I can do these things too.

Visit wisbank.com/committee to learn more about WBA’s Section Boards, Committees, and groups.