2025 was indeed an interesting year. Collectively, the banking industry experienced exciting developments like federal regulatory relief and a U.S. Congress committed to banking-specific policy solutions. Unfortunately, we also experienced new challenges that continue to alter the financial landscape: increased consumer fraud, the rapid acceleration of new payments systems and stablecoins.

Personally, 2025 brought exciting developments like finding out that Amanda and I will be blessed with our first grandchildren in the first quarter of 2026 (yes, twin boys). Conversely, in late 2025, that excitement was tempered by the loss of three individuals whom I considered my most important professional mentors. Each played a significant role in shaping my career, my leadership philosophy and my understanding of what it means to serve others.

While discussing the loss of these individuals over the holidays, my daughter challenged me to up my commitment to mentoring the next generation of Nebraska bankers, business leaders and association professionals.

Mentorship has always been a cornerstone of community banking. At its best, it reflects who we are as an industry: people investing in people, sharing experience and building relationships rooted in trust. Mentors don’t just provide guidance on technical skills or career decisions; they help emerging professionals develop judgement, confidence and perspective — qualities that can’t be learned from a manual alone.

My challenge to each of you reading this is to join me in elevating your mentoring game in 2026 and beyond. Being a successful mentor is not about having all the answers, but rather sharing your time, talents and experiences, while being willing to listen, encourage and challenge in ways that help young professionals grow and thrive. 

While there is no road map for creating a successful mentorship experience, a few reminders are worth keeping in mind:

• Focus your time and attention on the individual! Too often, managers and leaders focus on solving problems rather than focusing on the person.
• Resist the urge to offer solutions. Help your mentee think critically about strategies to address problems; openly challenge assumptions.
• Sharing builds trust. Don’t be afraid to openly share your personal fears, experiences and mistakes. Many times, we learn more from our mistakes than our successes.
• Be an active listener. Listen carefully to your mentee, looking for their personal blind spots, assumptions and fears.
• Offer feedback. Feedback should be kind, clear and actionable and raise the expectations of your mentee.
• Highlight their strengths. Point out the strengths of your mentee that they may not always see in themselves.
• Ask clarifying questions. Help your mentee frame their challenges and invite meaningful, professional and constructive dialogue.
• Honor confidentiality and commitments. Keep your conversations with your mentee confidential and show up when you say you will!
• Schedule regular check-ins. Formal and informal connections reinforce your support for your mentee.
• Celebrate successes. Help your mentee celebrate their successes, no matter how large or small!

If we are successful in serving as proactive, engaged mentors, we can have a lasting impact on the next generation of Nebraskans. The future of banking in Nebraska depends on the leaders we help shape today!