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Shonna Kracinski
Shonna Kracinski, SHRM-SCP, is Chief People Officer at Midland States Bank, a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Effingham, Illinois. She has been with Midland States Bank since 2015, progressing from HR Generalist through Manager of Talent Development and Director of Human Resources to her current role, after earlier HR and customer service leadership positions at Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Walmart.
Why "One Name" Is Never a Succession Plan
Shonna's clearest framework for succession planning starts with a blunt distinction: "ready now" means someone can operate under pressure and hold credibility at the top today, not just perform well in their current role. She pushes leaders to look at depth (how many viable options genuinely exist, not just one favored name), to pressure-test plans against a worst-case exit scenario, and to track time-to-readiness, since six months and two years represent very different risk profiles. Under her leadership, Midland States Bank partnered with Modern Health to expand employee mental health support, an initiative that both improved engagement and measurably reduced healthcare costs, evidence she often points to that wellbeing investment pays for itself.
Topics Shonna speaks on
- Why one name is never a succession plan
- Pressure-testing leadership readiness before a crisis forces the question
- Employee wellbeing initiatives with a measurable ROI
- HR leadership in community banking
- Talent development and internal mobility strategy
Connect
Want more on what it takes to build a succession plan that survives contact with reality? Learn more about the Achieve Leadership Network.