Growing Company Keeps TD at the Forefront

Busey: 2025 BEST Award Winner, #8

Champaign, Illinois

9-Time Winner

When Marie Polk, vice president and director of associate development, joined Busey 14 years ago, the company had no formal talent development program. Today, the financial institution leverages a robust suite of TD initiatives to support associate development and its expansion through mergers and acquisitions.

Over nine years, Busey has expanded its assets from $3.7 billion to $12 billion, increasing its associate base from 500 to more than 1,500. With another merger on the horizon, the company is poised to further expand, nearly doubling in asset size and adding more than 400 associates.

Strategic TD efforts—including immersive onboarding and strengths-based development programs—have been vital to market expansion. "Busey's leadership remains committed to investing in talent development, ensuring our programs evolve to meet the needs of a dynamic, growing organization," says Polk.

The TD strategy fosters continuous learning and innovation through initiatives such as the career development center, mentorship programs, experiential learning, and partnerships with wellness and engagement leaders. Those initiatives help associates maximize their potential by leveraging their unique strengths, creating a highly engaged workforce.

"A culture of learning is viewed as a strategic investment in our future," explains Amy Randolph, executive vice president and chief operating officer of First Busey Corporation and Busey Bank. "In just over a decade, we invested over $8.9 million in TD, including systems, internal training, education, and certifications meeting diverse associate and business needs."

Sixty-seven percent of associates have participated in at least one of the company's homegrown development programs, surpassing the original goal of 40 percent. Since 2014, Busey has leveraged the CliftonStrengths assessment as a strategic tool to support development. To date, nearly 1,300 associates have completed it. Driving toward 100 percent participation, the company plans to offer the assessment as part of onboarding.

In 2024, the TD team revamped its six-month Service Academy program to address feedback from back-office associates who felt underserved by training geared toward customer-facing roles. Program manager Marissa Riggenbach redesigned the curriculum to incorporate universal service concepts and real-world scenarios from various departments.

The associate development and brand strategies teams partnered to enhance content, reinforcing the link between internal service quality and client experience.

Focusing on key concepts such as "Frictionless Service," "Surprise and Delight," and "First Impressions," the program inspires associates to create extraordinary interactions that exceed expectations.

"Our team is intentional in aligning talent strategy with organizational goals, ensuring associates develop the skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving industry," Polk states. "One key initiative focuses on reskilling managers so they can help associates thrive in roles that align with their strengths and passions."

In addition, high-potential leaders have access to top-tier business school content alongside individualized coaching.

As engaged associates drive customer satisfaction and help meet regulatory requirements for mergers and acquisitions, Busey's 98 percent associate development program retention rate continues to fuel its success and long-term growth.

View the entire list of 2025 BEST Award winners.