Link to the livestream: 11:55am
3-22-2022
Esther George is president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and leads a workforce of close to 2,000 employees in Kansas City and its branch offices in Omaha, Denver and Oklahoma City.
The Kansas City Fed is responsible for conducting monetary policy, providing financial services to depository institutions and the U.S. Treasury, and supervising nearly 1,000 banking organizations within the Tenth Federal Reserve District, a seven-state region that includes western Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and northern New Mexico.
As the region’s representative on the Federal Open Market Committee in Washington, President George participates in monetary policy deliberations and provides a perspective based on more than three decades of experience as a banking supervisor. Her policy views are informed by regular contacts with the region’s business leaders, workers, financial institutions and community leaders. In 2022, President George serves as a voting member on the FOMC.
President George also leads the development of the FedNow Service, which will provide financial institutions with the ability to settle payments in real-time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, she hosts the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium in Wyoming, which brings together international central bankers, researchers and policymakers to discuss issues affecting the global economy.
Chair of the Day
As President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond, Jill Castilla is a nationally recognized innovator in the banking industry – or “no talk and all action” according to entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban. Under Jill’s leadership, the one-branch community bank in an Oklahoma City suburb became a major player on the national stage and now sits alongside banking industry heavyweights.
Her background includes service in the U.S. Army and Oklahoma Army National Guard and various positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. A lifelong learner, Jill holds a master’s degree in economics and a bachelor’s degree in finance. She also attended post-graduate programs at the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Banking and The Wharton School.
Jill currently serves as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. She also serves as a board member and supporter of many local and regional organizations.
Jill’s visionary leadership earned her and the Citizens team an impressive collection of industry accolades including: one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking (American Banker), Executive of the Year (Banking Dive), Banker of the Year (Cornerstone Advisor), Most Innovative CEOs in Banking (Bank Innovation), Top Team in Banking (American Banker), Best Fintech Partnership Award (Finovate 2020), Most Admired CEOs in Oklahoma (Journal Record), 100 Most Influential People in FinTech (FinTech Weekly), and Community Banker of the Year (American Banker) among others.
She and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Marcus Castilla, are proud parents of three children, a West Point graduate and Army officer, a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman and a current U.S. Senate Page and high schooler.