Florida Banking December 2025/January 2026

FBA STAFF SPOTLIGHT (CONTINUED)

LESLEY JORDAN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CFO, JOINED FBA IN MARCH 2006

I was inspired to join the FBA because of its strong commitment to supporting members and fostering growth in our field. What I enjoy most about my role is collaborating with dedicated colleagues and seeing the direct impact of our work. My background in accounting has taught me the value of adaptability and creative problem solving, which I bring into everything I do at the FBA.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY HOMETOWN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

SARA KHAN MARKETING MANAGER, JOINED FBA IN SEPTEMBER 2025

I’ve always been surrounded by the world of finance – my dad is a financial planner and stockbroker — so the banking industry has always felt familiar. Joining the FBA felt like a natural fit and an exciting opportunity to combine that background with my passion for communication and storytelling. What I enjoy most about my role is the balance of applying what I already know while learning something new almost every day. Continuous learning is essential to me, and understanding the “why” behind our work helps me share the FBA’s mission in a way that’s meaningful and authentic. I’m naturally curious and love asking questions. I want to understand the “why” and “how” behind what we do — what’s working, what’s not and how we can improve it. That mindset shapes the way I approach marketing and communications, because so much of it starts with uncovering what we need to create and how to connect with our audience. I love solving problems and finding creative solutions (just not the math kind!). Pam Ricco inspired me to join the FBA. We volunteered together on a community committee outside of work, and I was so impressed by her creativity, organizational skills, humor and bright spirit. When she mentioned an opening and suggested I might be a good fit, I jumped at the chance to work alongside her. What I love most about my current role in the Education department is the chance to meet our bankers and vendors in person at events throughout the state. Building those face-to-face connections and being part of their professional development journey is incredibly rewarding. Event planning seems to be in my DNA! As a kid, my brother and I would organize elaborate talent shows and performances in our backyard, complete with hand-drawn flyers, tickets and staging. Looking back, I realize I was already practicing many of the skills I use today — planning logistics, creating experiences and bringing people together. The only difference now is that the backyard has been replaced with ballrooms, and the stakes are a bit higher! MARILYN MATHERNE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & EVENTS, JOINED FBA IN NOVEMBER 2006 I was ready to get hands-on experience in an office (rather than in a customer-service setting) and the FBA presented the perfect opportunity. I’ve learned so much working here over the past year — but at the end of the day, I think my favorite aspect of working for the FBA is the employee camaraderie. I feel supported and appreciated! In undergrad at FSU I was in a sorority, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see how my experience with events and merchandising have translated to what I do at the FBA! Organizing people, booking event spaces, communicating with speakers and soliciting feedback are the (much) more professional continuation of my responsibilities in my sorority at FSU. ZOË MATHERNE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT INTERN, JOINED FBA IN FEBRUARY 2025

BOSTON UNIVERSITY AND FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY HOMETOWN KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY HOMETOWN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY HOMETOWN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

24 | FLORIDA BANKING