California Banker Issue 4 2025

he California Bankers Asso ciation (CBA) celebrates the accomplishments of five ex ceptional banking profession Five CBA Members Graduate from Graduate School of Banking at Colorado T

with expertise in four key areas: Fi nancial Management & Strategy, In novation & Engagement, Leadership & Culture, and Lending. The pro gram concludes with an immersive bank management simulation, chal lenging students to navigate complex market and competitive situations. The 2025 GSBC session marked the 74th year of the program, drawing nearly 500 students from across the country. CBA congratulates these outstand ing professionals for their achieve ment and looks forward to seeing the impact of their enhanced leader ship in California’s banking sector. For more information about the GSBC program, visit www.GSBCol orado.org.

• Jessica Shepherd, Golden Valley Bank, Chico •Katherine Westfall*, F&M Bank, Napa (*Honors student) These graduates were among 175 professionals honored at a com mencement ceremony on July 24 at the University of Colorado Boulder. The GSBC program is renowned for its rigorous curriculum, which com bines three years of intensive class room learning with six real-world intersession projects. Each graduate completes a capstone project address ing a strategic opportunity or chal lenge at their home institution, deliv ering immediate value to their banks and the communities they serve. GSBC’s curriculum is designed to equip future community bank leaders

als who have completed the esteemed Graduate School of Banking at Colo rado (GSBC). This achievement high lights both the dedication of these in dividuals and the CBA’s commitment to leadership development within California’s banking community. The CBA members who graduated from GSBC’s 25-month leadership program are: • Mark Aitken, F&M Bank, Sacra mento • Fawn Dulai, Plumas Bank, Yuba City • Benjamin Hester, F&M Bank, Modesto

20 www.CalBankers.com | CaliforniaBanker