The North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA) announced the formation of North Carolina Emerging Leaders, then known as the North Carolina Young Bankers (NCYB), in late 2015. NC Emerging Leaders was developed to identify and foster the professional development of those on the leadership path in North Carolina’s banking industry.

Becoming a member of NC Emerging Leaders provides access to regional and state-wide networking events, educational resources and leadership opportunities. Members of NC Emerging Leaders will support the overall mission of the NCBA, serving as advocates for the industry as well as promoting financial literacy through working with youth in North Carolina. Members can give back to the communities in which they serve through coordinated financial literacy efforts which include tools to help members teach our future generations at your bank or in local schools.


To be the premier organization that develops and engages emerging bank leaders while strengthening our community.

To achieve its vision the North Carolina Emerging Leaders will:

  • Promote financial literacy for North Carolina’s youth
  • Encourage awareness and active engagement in the industry
  • Foster professional development and provide leadership opportunities for our members

Upcoming Events


Ingrid Nelson

First Carolina Bank
Triangle Region
ingrid.nelson@mfbonline.com

Sam Clark

Southern Bank
Triangle Region
clarksa8900@gmail.com

Robert Peterkin

Bank of America
Charlotte Metro Region
robert.peterkin@bofa.com 

Ryan Morgan

North State Bank
Triangle Region
rmorgan@northstatebank.com

Trey Jerman

First Carolina Bank
East Region
treyjerman@firstcarolinabank.com 

Imani Boyd

Bank of America
Charlotte Region
imani.boyd@bofa.com

Alexis Hardister

First Bank
Charlotte Region
AHardister@localfirstbank.com

Cathleen Dillingham

People’s Bank
Charlotte Region
cdillingha@peoplesbanknc.com

Juan Carlos Villalobos

Southern First Bank
Triangle Region
jvillalobos@southernfirst.com

Laura Keefer

Southern First Bank
Triangle Region
lkeefer@southernfirst.com 

Ben Kornegay

First Citizens Bank
Triangle Region
ben.kornegay@firstcitizens.com

Brandi Gerew

Pinnacle Financial
Triangle Region
brandi.gerew@pnfp.com

Matt Zacharias

Triad Business Bank
Triad Region
mzacharias@triadbusinessbank.com

Kassy Wilson

Carter Bank
Triad Region
katherine.wilson@carterbank.com

Eboni Johnson

Bank of America
Triad Region
eboni.johnson2@bofa.com 

Christine Kleinhenz

Carter Bank
Triad Region
christine.kleinhenz@cbtcares.com

Lacy Cross

Movement Bank
West Region
lacy.cross@movementbank.com

Jess Jennings

HomeTrust Bank
West Region
jess.jennings@htb.com

Whitney Riddle

HomeTrust Bank
West Region
whitney.riddle@htb.com

Hillary Kestler

NCBA Liaison

hillary@ncbankers.org