The Conference on Business & Ethics (CBE) is a much-anticipated event in Southern California that brings together faith-filled influential business, religious, academic and philanthropic leaders. In partnership with Farmers & Merchants Bank, The Orange Catholic Foundation has provided this forum for 23 years to inspire leaders to perform best ethical practices, both personally and professionally.
Repeatedly, CBE has been given the title of #1 Breakfast in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal. Event proceeds support Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Orange, School Tuition Assistance Endowment and The Orange Catholic Foundation.
The Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Business Integrity recognizes business leaders who demonstrate ethical practices, both personally and professionally. To qualify, one must: Be a successfully recognized businessperson in the community; Be a current or retired CEO, owner or high‐ranking executive for a company with many employees; Be dedicated to ethical business practices; Be a positive example of ethical practice in all aspects of his or her life; Have a well‐established record of ethical leadership qualities, including treating employees fairly; Be a practicing Catholic.
Daniel K. Walker serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Farmers & Merchants Bank. He began his career with F&M Bank in 1974, holding various positions along the way. When Daniel assumed the role of President in 2002, he relied on a century of tradition and a lifetime of experience to calmly navigate the Bank to unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, F&M Bank has grown to nearly $11.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025 and is now among the top banks in the country. The perfect blend of what is and what was, Daniel has led the way in combining longstanding traditional values with cutting-edge technology at the Bank.
As a great-grandson of a pioneer who rode a horse across the country to seek his fortune, the grandson of a man who started his career cleaning windows and washing sidewalks, and the son of a man who started out operating an elevator, Daniel learned early the value of hard work and the virtue of service above self. Daniel is an advisory director of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach and a director of the Nell J. Redfield Foundation. He also serves as an emeritus director of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation of Long Beach. Previously, he served as Chairman of the President’s Advisory Council of Concordia University Irvine and as Chairman of the Long Beach Police Foundation.
Daniel currently resides in Orange with his wife, Linda.
Laura Meier is a nationally recognized attorney and leader in Catholic estate and legacy planning and the Founder of the Guided by Grace stewardship initiative.
She is the author of three acclaimed books: Guided By Grace: A Catholic Journey Through Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning—a national bestseller that received the Imprimatur from Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange; The Family Nest Egg, praised by Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran for its practical financial wisdom; and Good Parents Worry, Great Parents Plan, also a national bestseller.
A regular contributor to television news, Laura has appeared on EWTN and on top affiliates of NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, offering insights on estate planning and building lasting legacies.
Through Guided by Grace, she has partnered with The Orange Catholic Foundation and is leading a growing national effort that encourages families to embrace estate planning as an act of love and stewardship for both their loved ones and the Church.
Laura and her husband, Joshua, own the Meier Law Firm in Newport Beach, which has earned more than 350 five-star reviews for its trustworthiness and exceptional client service. They are active parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach and the proud parents of four children.
Farmers & Merchants Bank has graciously partnered with The Orange Catholic Foundation and supported the Conference on Business & Ethics as a Presenting Sponsor of the event and the Lifetime Achievement Award since 2012. The recipient of the award is an individual, couple, or organization who has made a significant contribution to the community within the Diocese of Orange.
Big Announcements Coming! We can't wait to share with you our keynote speaker, distinguished guest panel and F&M Bank Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for the 23rd Annual Conference on Business & Ethics.
Click below to watch our curated playlist from CBE 2025.
