Madison, WI–Forty-eight credit union leaders were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s (the Foundation) Credit Union Development Education (DE) Training.
The March DE Training was held March 15 – April 9, 2021. The virtual training was completed by employees and volunteers from credit unions and system partners across the United States credit union movement.
DE Training is a unique experiential training program that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. During the Foundation’s signature program, participants engage in small and large group exercises and interactive speaker sessions focused on the credit union difference, development issues, and empathy. Each lesson provides insights into how credit unions can leverage their unique business model to help their members and communities overcome the financial and developmental issues they face.
Class Graduates
The most recent DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States. They are: Caroline Alexander, Tennessee Credit Union League in Tennessee; Pat Alvarado, El Paso Area Teachers FCU in Texas; Steven Andrews, Christian Financial CU in Michigan; Kim Bauer, Altra FCU in Wisconsin; Sarah Buck, Cutting Edge FCU in Oregon; Carl Casper, Connex CU Inc. in Connecticut; Simeon Chapin, VSECU in Vermont; Kristen Coiner, American Airlines FCU in Texas; April Decker, Americo FCU in Pennsylvania; Jim Drake, Blue Mountain CU in Washington; Shannon Dunlap, Alliance CU in Texas; Angie Endicott, CommunityAmerica CU in Kansas; Aisha Everett, CUNA Mutual Group in Wisconsin; MaryAnne Gangoy, Coastal FCU in North Carolina; Greg Graham, PSCU in Florida; Brian Griffin, Local Government FCU in North Carolina; Arlo Harvey, Unitus Community CU in Oregon; Katelynn Hatch, Northern Skies FCU in Alaska; Erin Hoxmeier, CO-OP Financial Services in Iowa; Kshipra Kulkarni, Credit Union National Association in Wisconsin; Christyna Lane, Extensia Financial in Arizona; Ivory Lloyd, Kaua’i Government Employees FCU; Ariana Luna, Thinkwise CU in California; Cassandra Maloney, City and County CU in Minnesota; Sarah Marshall, Vermont FCU in Vermont; Nicholas Mathiowetz, NorthRidge Community CU in Minnesota; Beth Merlo, Defense Credit Union Council in Maryland; Jaimie Miller, Iowa CU Foundation in Iowa; Evelyn Montufar, Members CU in Connecticut; Cheryl Moore, SEFCU in New York; Ryan Morrison, TwinStar CU in Washington; B. Diane Myers, True Sky CU in Oklahoma; Ann Naiman, League of Southeastern Credit Unions in Florida; Susan Parisi, Credit Union National Association in Wisconsin; Amy Pendleton, Riverways FCU in Missouri; Shivan Perera, Avana Capital in Arizona; Steven Pierce, Black Hills FCU in South Dakota; Rajeev Prasad, Upward CU in California; Anita QuagliaGanje, Minnco CU in Minnesota; Lisa Reynolds, First Financial FCU in Maryland; Julie Selof, Consumers Credit Union in Illinois; Alexzandra Shade, CUNA Mutual Group in Wisconsin; Jen Sheaks, KEMBA Financial CU in Ohio; Ryan Talley, CO-OP Financial Services in Iowa; Maggie Tannen, U.S. Eagle FCU in New Mexico; Jennifer Thevenin, Unity Catholic CU in Ohio; Cassandra Thom, Members First CU in Wisconsin; and Pam Toler, Texas Telcom CU in Texas.
Hear what a few graduates had to say about their experience:
“I have been in the credit union industry for 43 years and knew our purpose. But this class renewed my spirit and commitment with ideas and tools to help our members and communities in ways I had not thought of before. I’m so proud to have earned this designation.” – Pam Toler, Texas Telcom CU in Texas.
“I had such a great time in class. I did not know how the virtual thing would work out but it was very engaging and I found myself very immersed in the topics. Working with my group was fantastic and it really reminded me of how together, all of our voices and contributions can be additive to solve any problem. The class also gave me a lot to reflect on in terms of the mission we are all a part of. With the challenges of the pandemic and the acute financial situation many credit unions and our members have been subject to, it’s easy to get lost in trying to help the business survive and forget about our obligation to also help our members survive and thrive. The presentations really opened my eyes to some simple, grass roots solutions to tackling the developmental situations every community faces. In sum, it energized me to help everyone in our credit union learn about or simply remember what our purpose is and to put that purpose into action.” – Carl Casper, Connex CU in Connecticut
Training Staff
The program was facilitated by Chad Helminak, the Director of DE and Cooperative Culture at the Foundation, assisted by Kalli Shelton from the Foundation and coordinated by Maggie Wolff from the Foundation.
Interested in Attending DE Training?
Fall 2021 DE Training dates will be announced soon! Email us at cude@ncuf.coop to be put on a notification list to stay up to date on upcoming 2021 registration information, or click here for additional information.
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