“I chose to attend CBLA because I want to grow as not only a leader, but as a person also. By attending these sessions, not only have I learned more about myself, but I have also developed a skill set and acquired tools needed to continue to become a successful leader. Leadership Academy provided us with great speakers, who have coached us and helped with our growth and professional development as leaders and people. I feel I have connected with a network of people that will also help continue my evolvement as a leader, not only in my career, but in my family, and community as well. I recommend this class to everyone. To be able to lead is to be humble, and to have the knowledge that continued growth is ongoing.”

- Priscilla A Morris, The Claxton Bank

 “I believe the CBA Leadership course is relevant at all stages of your career. It has helped me to recognize and understand my own style and to see areas where I can improve. If you are new to a leadership position the knowledge gained from the program, correctly applied would provide an opportunity to succeed in your position and be ready to grow into the next one. I would recommend the program to anyone willing to take a hard look at themselves and be ready to be a better leader.”

- Angelia Alfred, American Commerce Bank

​“This leadership class has been a beneficial time of self-reflection on both a professional and personal level. I am closing out this course with an immense understanding of different leadership styles, and how those around me respond to those techniques. The curriculum exposed my leadership strengths and weaknesses for the benefit of my team and other relationships in my life.”

- Jonathon Guthrie, The Peoples Bank

 “I was very skeptical about this program being ‘another boring class’ but our group was very engaged and we were able to express our struggles, talk through them and learn from them. This is not another boring class, you get many take aways, the challenge is then on you to do the work and use the tools provided. This class teaches you self-awareness and then how to handle situations all leaders encounter. This program is valuable to my career.”

- Maigan Wall, Loan Department Manager, Persons Banking Company – Class of 2021

“I thoroughly enjoyed the leadership sessions, instructors and getting to know my fellow participants. I really appreciated the interactions and feedback of everyone.

- Ken Austin, Market President/Lender, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.

“Leadership is getting results in a way that inspires trust! I learned this during our first session with April Farlow.”

- Marty Green, Sr. Vice President, Family Bank

 "CBA’s Leadership Academy was not your ordinary leadership-training course, and far exceeded my personal expectations! Not only was the training material valuable and engaging, the trainers and attendees brought the program to another level! Early on, the training staff had compelled group participation without us even knowing it, and this not only allowed our leadership skills to blossom, but also, created networking friendships that we know will last a lifetime. The trainers were focus driven and spent time relating techniques to real life situations for both work and personal life. The program was very much about self-reflection, and putting into play, the changes we can make to better our teams, our overall workplace, and ourselves."

- Ashley Lanier-Elston, First National Bank of Coffee County

"This session made me see characteristics of myself that I can work on going forward to better myself as a leader and an employee. This Program has been one of the best learning tools - everyone stayed engaged."

- Donna Wall, Exchange Bank

“This is, by far, the best training I’ve ever attended. The program has been so well thought out and organized. I feel I’ve flourished as a leader and as a person in general. All aspects of my life have been touched and enhanced. I attribute so much of my recent success to this Academy. I’ve been able to take lessons learned here and apply them to situations at my bank to make positive changes. I would recommend this Academy to any aspiring leaders.”

- Stephanie Jordan, SunMark Bank

“Love this leadership class format. Schedule works great for bankers.” 

- Chris Acker, American Commerce Bank, N.A.

“Leadership Academy has been quite an eye-opener for me. I have learned the value of leading vs. managing and will certainly apply many techniques learned to change my behavior and mentor others for superior growth.”

- Natalie Woodall, United Bank 

“Community banking is so important and I really appreciate CBA caring about us community bankers and wanting to make us leaders. Everyone should be in this class.”

- Shanna Jackson, The Claxton Bank