Chief Brand Officer
Stearns Bank
Marlice Johnson currently serves as the Chief Brand Officer at Stearns Bank N.A., where she leads purpose-driven brand, storytelling, and marketing initiatives.
She’s had an expansive career in advertising, producing innovative work across leading brands including Nike, T-Mobile, LG, Ogilvy, and more. Most recently, as Ogilvy North America’s Brand Consulting and DE&I, Johnson developed inclusive and innovative advertising campaigns to drive brand growth while challenging the status quo across industries. In 2025, Ragen Communications and PR Daily recognized Johnson as a Top Woman in Marketing for her ability to challenge industry norms and constantly pursue innovative excellence.
Marlice earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's in Global Business Management and International Business from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. She serves as a mentor for the Exodus Transitional Community, Inc. and on the board for REACH for Uganda after a transforming visit in 2025.
Community banks have always won on trust, relationships, and local relevance—but in 2026, those advantages are being tested by a new generation of competitors. Neobanks, big tech platforms, and embedded finance players are redefining what “good banking” looks like: instant, personalized, always-on, and increasingly invisible. Meanwhile, customers still crave human guidance—especially small businesses, families, and underserved communities navigating economic uncertainty.
This panel explores how community banks can evolve the customer experience without abandoning the relationship-based model that makes them essential. We’ll discuss what personalization really means in a digital context, how banks can deepen engagement across channels, and what it takes to differentiate on brand and trust in an era where switching is frictionless. The conversation will also focus on financial inclusion as both a mission and a growth strategy—along with practical ways to deliver value-added services like advisory, cash flow tools, and small business support that go far beyond traditional products.
Join the forward-looking discussion on how community banks can remain indispensable—not by trying to out-tech the giants, but by combining digital excellence with community-first impact, including: