INDIANAPOLIS – Taylor Mills, vice president at First Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Converse, has been honored with the Indiana Bankers Association 2024 Woman on the Rise award, sponsored by Amundsen Davis LLC. She was awarded the award on Wednesday, Nov. 6, during the IBA Banking on Women conference.
This honor recognizes a woman in banking, age 40 or younger, making a significant impact in her industry and community through engagement, drive, and teamwork.
Jennifer Newsom, the bank’s senior vice president, and lead risk management officer, said of Mills’ recent promotion to vice president, “The shift from branch manager to banking professional in an investment group signifies not only Taylor’s expertise in day-to-day branch operations and management but is also a testament to the leadership, strategic thinking and financial acumen required to handle larger-scale investments.”
“Our team shines brighter with her as our lead,” one of her nominators said. “Whatever she commits to doing, she always does it with pride and excellence. She is definitely a person on whom you can trust and depend.”
Among her many community service roles, Mills is treasurer of Carver Community Center, Kokomo Gus Macker, and Northwestern Youth Organization; a board member for the Northwestern Youth Baseball League; a mentor with the Bridges Outreach Project 30; and executive director of Kokomo Table.
She earned an associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College, a bachelor’s from Indiana University – Kokomo and a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.
“Taylor Mills is truly ‘on the rise,’” said Amber R. Van Til, IBA president & CEO. “She is dedicated not only to her own growth as a lifelong learner, but the growth of others through one-on-one mentoring, a passion for her community and a drive to see others succeed. I am ecstatic to count Taylor among the Indiana banking community and cannot wait to see what she does next.”
