MEET MORE OF OUR 2025 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
You might imagine finance and banking as impersonal – lots of numbers on spreadsheets and long reports – but to the leadership team at Associated Bank, it’s anything but. “I love helping our clients succeed,” says Jennifer Christopher, senior vice president, treasury management officer and sales team leader. “I’m passionate about creating trusted relationships in which clients see me as an advisor they can rely on – not merely selling a product.”
Christopher, along with her fellow vice presidents, is part of the team leading Associated Bank. “We serve customers across consumer banking, private wealth, commercial and small business, which means my team and I are always learning,” says Marilka Vélez, senior VP and senior director of marketing. “We’re listening to our customers to understand their needs and how we can help improve their financial lives.”
Caryn Schmitt, senior VP and team lead of portfolio management, helped develop the commercial banking division of the bank, which focuses on loans and banking services to other businesses, when she started 10 years ago. “Every deal is different,” she says. “Each one presents an opportunity to support our customers in meaningful and impactful ways.”
As an executive VP and president of Associated Bank Private Wealth, Jayne Hladio oversees the bank’s wealth management, private banking and more. Through her leadership, she has elevated the importance of financial planning and partnership among teams of experts within the bank.
“My most treasured achievement is the deeply meaningful relationships formed with colleagues, community leaders and clients,” she says. “We have been able to partner to create positive outcomes along the way for so many people – it’s priceless. That’s exactly what the art of advocacy and wealth care is all about at Associated Bank”
“There’s never been a better time to help women own their financial power and succeed in the financial services industry.”
– Jayne Hladio
Q&A
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Jayne C. Hladio: Developing leaders and strategies that enable clients to define what “true wealth” means to them. Then, orchestrating our teams to deliver better than expected recommendations and outcomes that enable clients to love and live their life in alignment with their core values. “True Wealth” translates to a life lived abundantly with peace of mind.
Jennifer Christopher: Such a great question. I love helping our clients succeed. The reward of uncovering inefficiencies or maybe just making them even more efficient with their cash flow or payment process by providing a solution that will help them save time, reduce risk and improve liquidity. I love that my advice can help directly support their growth and stability. Also, I absolutely love forming trusted relationships where clients see me as an advisor and not just a salesperson and seeing the relationships I have built over the years is truly so rewarding.
Marilka Vélez: What I find most rewarding is the variety. Associated Bank serves customers across consumer banking, private wealth, commercial, and small business, which means my team and I are always learning: about our customers, their needs, and how we can help improve their financial lives. Leading the brand strategy behind these efforts and then seeing campaigns and products come to life in the market is a constant source of fulfillment. Every campaign is an opportunity to connect people with solutions that can change their lives.
Caryn Schmitt: The uniqueness of what we do in Commercial Banking. Every deal is different – each one presents an opportunity to support our customers in meaningful and impactful ways. What sets my role apart is the blend of deal execution, portfolio monitoring, and managing the people side, offering constant variety and intellectual challenge. It keeps me highly engaged and continuously learning! I’m also fortunate to be part of an exceptional team whose collaboration and diligence make the work even more rewarding.
What advice do you have for women who want to pursue a career like yours?
Jayne C. Hladio: There’s never been a better time to help women own their financial power and succeed in the financial services industry. Invest time rotating through various specialty areas to build a strong and broad base of understanding. Wealth is a subsegment of multiple financial disciplines at a highly customized level. This requires taking risks, leveraging personal and professional advocates and a healthy dose of curiosity and continuous learning.
Jennifer Christopher: Treasury Management Sales isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about trusting being a consultant and advisor to our clients. Building strong relationships, being genuine and staying true to my authenticate self with clients and colleagues is often what can set you apart. Also, connect with leaders both women and men who will guide you and advocate for you!
Marilka Vélez: Curiosity is your greatest career asset. It keeps you growing when the path ahead isn’t yet clear. A career spans decades, and the skills you build today may take you in directions you can’t imagine yet. Don’t limit yourself. Trust that you are capable of growing, evolving, and meeting the needs of the future. Surround yourself with people who both support and challenge you, and keep learning along the way.
Caryn Schmitt: Success in this role requires a base of education, solid communication skills, both written and verbal, and a diligent, detail-oriented mindset. The next step would be to have a great attitude and a willingness to do whatever task, large or small, with the understanding that every responsibility carries an opportunity to learn and grow. And, finally, be that reliable person that others can consistently count on to get things accomplished.
