Meet Our Speakers

Michael has over 25 years of human resources experience, including more than 20 years in the banking industry. He has led or supported over 500 compensation, market research, and organizational development projects and frequently presents to national and state banking associations on bank compensation topics. He holds a master’s degree in advanced industrial and organizational psychology and advises clients on executive, director, and staff compensation plan design.

Matt has been a compensation consultant since 2000, specializing in the banking industry since 2002. He founded Blanchard Consulting Group in 2011 and has extensive expertise in executive, director, and staff compensation. A frequent speaker and published author in banking industry publications, Matt is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Jeff previously served as the SVP and Managing Director of Newcleus Compensation Advisors. Since 2010, he has advised Compensation Committees, Boards of Directors, and senior executives on executive and director compensation practices. He specializes in developing annual, equity-based, and deferred compensation plans, as well as market-aligned pay structures and salary grade systems.

Alan Kaplan is Founder & CEO of Kaplan Partners, a 32 year-old retained executive search and board advisory firm. Kaplan Partners provides bank Boards and CEOs with advice on Board and CEO succession, and assistance with the identification, assessment and selection of new CEOs, Directors and senior executives. The firm’s Board Advisory Services assist clients with Board Succession, Performance and Recruitment. In addition, Kaplan Partners conducts Executive Assessments of leadership teams to enhance succession planning and professional development efforts. Alan is a leader in talent management and leadership succession across the banking and financial services sector.

Joy Duce, Managing Principal for Crowe Human Capital Consulting Services, is a business executive with over 20 years of experience helping organizations enable their strategic business objectives through talent management and organizational effectiveness solutions. She is a strong communicator and practical, critical thinker who has implemented innovative HR, Talent, and OD programs to respond to the changing needs of a high-growth business.

Andy has nearly 30 years of experience counseling and advising companies, both public and private, boards of directors, and executives and management, on the many and varied tax, ERISA, securities law, and corporate governance aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits. Andy has the ability to make highly technical and complex topics and issues more understandable and workable for clients dealing with executive compensation and employee benefits matters.

Erica leads Blanchard’s Market Comp practice, the firm’s salary administration software product. She brings banking-specific compensation experience from previous roles at Amalfi Consulting and Clark Consulting, along with experience in the non-profit, pharmacy benefit, and food service industries. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Iowa State University and is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Global Remuneration Professional (GRP).

For over ten years, Jen has provided consulting in the financial services area, focusing on compensation strategies and planning for executives, directors, and staff. Her prior work experience spans the financial, government, and technology industries, including the areas of risk & control analysis, compliance, and budget development. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Florida and also holds a Master's of Science in Operations Management.

Laura has specialized in compensation consulting for the financial services industry since 2005. Her expertise includes executive, staff, and board compensation, as well as incentive plan design and review. She also leads Blanchard’s survey practice, which provides industry-specific compensation and benefits data for financial institutions. Laura obtained her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Concordia University.