EXECUTIVE   

Brian Bailey, CRE, CCIM | Head of Global Research @ Trimont

As head of research, Brian is responsible for providing thought leadership and monitoring emerging economic, commercial real estate (CRE), and finance trends at Trimont. He is responsible for providing clarity in today’s uncertain climate and creating analytics that provide insights into lending and property trends. Prior to Trimont, Brian was the Commercial Real Estate Subject Matter Expert and Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. His work informed three Federal Reserve chairs, five central banks, and the International Monetary Fund. He briefed Chair Jerome Powell, the Board of Governors and multiple policymakers on CRE and finance trends. Additionally, he addressed audiences of 25-30,000 at hundreds of venues, including Federal Agencies, universities, industry conferences and syndicated radio. • LinkedIn 

  TECHNOLOGY  

Michael Benardo | Former Associate Director of Risk Management Supervision @ FDIC

Michael is retired from the FDIC, where he most recently led the Anti-Money Laundering and Cyber Fraud Branch in the Division of Risk Management Supervision. Previously, he served as Chief of the Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section where he led a team of highly skilled staff responsible for developing policy, guidance, examination resources, and training related to cyber fraud and financial crimes; analyzing financial sector threats and vulnerabilities and sharing information with relevant stakeholders; and administering the background check program related to applications submitted to the FDIC. He began his career at the FDIC in 1990 in the Jackson, Mississippi field office, and he gained extensive bank examination experience in the Gainesville, Florida field office. He also served as a key member of the FDIC’s Year 2000 project team from 1997 through the century date change. Prior to his employment with the FDIC, Mr. Benardo spent six years working in the commercial banking industry in a variety of areas, including several assignments in bank operations. Mr. Benardo has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of South Florida. • LinkedIn

  TECHNOLOGY  

Becky Reed | COO @ BankSocial 

Becky is a financial services executive and thought leader with more than two decades of leadership experience across banking, fintech, and regulated financial institutions. She is known for leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives and for her ability to translate emerging technologies into practical, compliant, and scalable operating models for financial institutions. As a CEO, Becky led a full enterprise modernization, beginning with core technology remediation and infrastructure redesign. This foundational work enabled greater operational efficiency, improved risk management, and the ability to scale digital products and services in a rapidly changing financial landscape—experience directly applicable across banks and other regulated financial institutions. Becky continues to operate at the intersection of traditional banking and next-generation finance as COO of the fintech BankSocial. In this role, she works hands-on with distributed ledger technology (DLT), artificial intelligence, and digital asset infrastructure, with a focus on how banks can responsibly adopt emerging technologies while meeting regulatory, security, and governance expectations. • LinkedIn

   COMPLIANCE   

Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE | Partner @ Saltmarsh

Kristen works closely with financial institutions to help bankers become more efficient, more effective, and more confident in navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Her work is rooted in the belief that strong relationships and practical guidance not only help institutions meet regulatory expectations but also empower professionals to grow in their roles. She provides guidance and education to compliance officers, BSA officers, executive management teams, and boards of directors. Known for her engaging style, Kristen frequently facilitates industry discussions and serves as the primary emcee for the Florida Bankers Association’s BSA and Consumer Compliance Conferences. She also leads peer groups, the annual BSA Summit, and regulatory forums for the Georgia and Tennessee Bankers Associations. Kristen is also actively involved in financial industry education. She previously taught BSA/AML in the Juris Master’s program at Florida State University College of Law and currently teaches at the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida, the Southeastern Schools of Consumer and Commercial Lending, and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, helping develop the next generation of banking professionals. • LinkedIn