From a young age, Lanna Bartko was giving her heart to the Champaign community. “I was taught to appreciate everything the Champaign-Urbana area has to offer, and serving the community quickly became a central part of my life. My family's support helped instill that passion early on, and INB has embraced my commitment to community involvement with open arms.”
INB not only embraces her commitment, but also recently recognized Lanna’s leadership ability with a promotion to assistant branch manager at our Champaign location.
Lanna’s banking career kicked off at a time when nothing felt steady: March 2020, right as COVID-19 was reshaping things. “Starting during COVID was wild — but honestly, it ended up being the best hands-on training I could have asked for,” Lanna says. She quickly learned how to adapt, connect with customers in new ways, and offer a reassuring voice in uncertain times.
INB’s management team noticed her instinct for service and leadership. Over the years, Lanna stepped up wherever needed, helping other branches during staffing challenges and building relationships with Champaign’s business community alongside INB Commercial Lender Tom Whooley.
“When you love where you work and who you work with, it’s easy to jump in and help,” she says. “The people here feel like family.”
Making Connections
Lanna says working with Tom opened the door for even deeper connections with local businesses. “Tom’s been a mentor since day one,” Lanna says. “Working together helped me realize how much I enjoy supporting business clients — and how important it is to make banking personal.”
It’s not just inside the bank where Lanna makes an impact. She’s deeply involved in the community, taking on roles in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #1070, Champaign County Freedom Celebration, Champaign Urbana Theatre Company, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Urbana Young Professionals, Champaign County History Museum, Business Networking International (BNI) Referral Makers, CU @ the Rotary Club, and the Champaign Urbana Jaycees.
This year, she’s also serving as the Illinois Jaycees 94th state president, an opportunity that she says blends perfectly with INB’s values. “Both the Jaycees and INB are about building up people — and that’s why I’m so proud to represent both,” she says.
Work Meets Community Involvement
The Illinois Jaycees’ focus this year is on "Building the Next Leaders from the Inside Out." The group is emphasizing growth in three areas: physical, mental, and financial wellness. Lanna was able to put together a partnership with INB to help Jaycee members better understand financial health.
As she moves into her new role, Lanna is focused on keeping the momentum going. With new faces joining the Champaign branch and fresh energy across the team, she’s excited to help both her coworkers and customers thrive.
“My goal is to make sure everyone who walks into our branch feels valued, supported, and connected,” she says. “That’s what makes INB special, and I’m honored to help carry that forward.”
When she’s not busy working or volunteering, you’ll probably find Lanna out and about with her boyfriend at a local event, a Jaycees project, or unwinding by the water at Lake Shelbyville.
“Lake life is my way to recharge,” she laughs. “Cross-stitching on the porch or floating down the river — it’s the perfect reset.”