Central Bank’s Women of Wealth Management

Homan serves as executive vice president and market executive for Central Trust Company in southwest Missouri, overseeing teams in Springfield, Branson and northwest Arkansas. Baldner is president and CEO of Central Bank, leading the organization’s vision and growth across the Ozarks. Together, they represent two influential voices leading women in wealth management while shaping the region’s approach to banking, leadership and long-term community investment.

Biz 417: What does wealth management actually mean to you beyond numbers and portfolios?
Diane Homan: Wealth management with women means working with women who have built or received significant wealth—through their careers, inheritance or entrepreneurial endeavors—to help them achieve their financial goals. Those goals may be short term or focused on long-term planning, such as retirement, but our ultimate objective is to help women feel confident and satisfied knowing they have a plan in place and that their goals are within reach.

Biz: Central Bank is often associated with trust and longevity. How do you see your work building on that legacy? 
Joselyn Baldner: Longevity and trust are built through strong relationships, and that’s at the core of what we do every day. It’s not just about serving the client in front of us today, but it’s about supporting their family and carrying that relationship forward over time as we help them achieve their goals. By caring for beneficiaries and heirs through all facets of the bank, we create the continuity that leads to lasting trust and long-term relationships with our clients.

Biz: What advice would you give a woman who feels intimidated by investing or wealth planning? 
D.H.: You have to start somewhere, and often that begins with a one-on-one conversation with someone you trust and feel comfortable asking questions. We never want anyone to feel intimidated by the process or the terminology—we know not everyone lives in this world every day like we do. Our door is always open to help our clients, their children and future generations understand investing, take small steps, build a plan and stick with it. That’s how confidence grows, and that’s how long-term success happens.

Biz: How does Central Bank’s commitment to diverse leadership help our business community?
J.B.: Diverse leadership, like a diverse workforce, brings different perspectives that help us better serve a wide range of clients. We focus on each employee and client as an individual, allowing us to tailor our approach to what they truly need. When the right fit requires additional expertise, we’re able to bring in other leaders to ensure the best outcome. When Diane’s team meets with a client, they take a collaborative, team-based approach, bringing multiple perspectives to the table to ensure that we're able to do everything necessary to support and help accomplish clients’ goals. 

Biz: What’s the first step someone should take if they want to feel more in control of their financial future?
D.H.: I think it really starts with understanding what you want to accomplish. You can’t build a plan until you know what you’re working toward—whether that’s independence, making your own decisions or taking care of your family. Once you have that clarity, it’s about being consistent, sticking with the plan and surrounding yourself with good advisors you trust, have confidence in and share mutual respect with.