Christina M. Bennett retired from the Indiana Bankers Association at the end of 2025 after 35 years of service with the Association. She started in 1990 as a member of the government relations team. She later shifted to the education department, working her way up to vice president-meetings & events where she was responsible for the Association’s largest events, including Mega Conference, Annual Convention, FLD Leadership Conference, Legislative Briefing & Reception and Indiana Economic Outlook Luncheon. She also served as corporate secretary and was the primary contact for the CEO peer discussion groups and roundtable meetings.
Chris will continue to do some contract work for the Association as she transitions into retirement, and will be at Mega Conference in May where the IBA will host a reception in her honor to give members the opportunity to express your well wishes and share your favorite memories.
Away from the office, Chris serves as president of Meeting Professionals International’s Indiana chapter and Holiday Giving Chair at St. Vincent de Paul. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and the Certified Meeting Professional designation from the Events Industry Council.
With Chris’ retirement, the IBA is reorganizing its education into a streamlined Professional Development department.
- Vice President-Education & Training Laurie A. Rees has been promoted to senior vice president-professional development, joining the Association’s executive management team.
- Molly Gibbs, who previously split her time between the education and products & services departments, will shift entirely into professional development as assistant vice president-education & training. She will focus on the IBA’s ongoing educational offerings including schools, seminars, peer forums and webinars.
The IBA is excited to announce Susan Clark has returned to the team as a professional development coordinator. She worked for the Association from 2004-2024 in a variety of roles, and brings a wealth of experience working on Mega Conference, Annual Convention, FLD Leadership Conference and more.
She will work alongside Silvia Regalado, who joined the Association in 2022 as its Administrative Assistant. Regalado shifted to become a professional development coordinator in January. Together, she and Clark will assist the professional development department in producing the 150 live events and facilitating the additional 725 webinars the IBA hosts or co-sponsors every year.
