Geared towards Iowa members only, this webinar, the Iowa Bankers Association provides general information on Iowa’s banking industry and have a fireside chat on economic and community impact, banking services and key industry data & statistics for Iowa reporters. The Iowa Bankers Association is the largest state banking association in the nation and provides a broad range of services to its 280 member institutions. As the voice for Iowa banking since 1887, the IBA provides legislative advocacy, education, regulatory compliance, human resources, public relations, marketing, insurance, and mortgage service to banks.

John Sorenson is president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. Sorenson also provides direction to the association’s service companies, including Iowa Bankers Insurance and Services and Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation. Sorenson is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and a director emeritus for the University of Northern Iowa’s Business School Executive Advisory Board. He has served on the boards of the Iowa Taxpayers Association, the Iowa Newspaper Foundation, the Iowa PBS Foundation, the Des Moines Community Playhouse, Meals for the Heartland, the Iowa 4-H Foundation and as a United Way volunteer. He is the past council president for Faith Lutheran Church in Clive.

Melissa Ballard joined First Iowa State Bank in Albia in 2004 and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer. She is a member of the Iowa Bankers Association Board of Directors, currently serving as Treasurer. She also serves on the Iowa Economic Development Board and the Iowa Division of Banking Advisory Council. Melissa has previously served on the Community Bank Advisory Council for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Great Prairie Area Education Agency Board.

Jenica Lensmeyer is the Vice President of Marketing and Industry Relations at the Iowa Bankers Association. Prior to her current role, she spent over ten years in association advocacy and government relations. She is passionate about finding effective ways to influence thought leaders and tell the story of Iowa’s banking industry. Lensmeyer has been with the Iowa Bankers Association for over 7 years. She is a graduate of Iowa State University and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Drake University. She serves on the Innovate to Motivate® advisory committee representing the nation’s most experienced corporate and association public affairs professionals.

She is an active community volunteer and currently serves as the Financial VP on the Junior League of Des Moines board.