54 People Earn Credit Union Development Educator Designation

MADISON, Wis.– Fifty-four credit union leaders have earned the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation from the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development EducationTM (DE) program.

“Delivered as an immersive week-long in-person event, the DE program is a unique, transformative training experience,” the foundation said. “It provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the ‘why’ that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. Participants engage in small and large group exercises and interactive speaker sessions focused on the credit union difference, empathy, and financial well-being for all.”

According to the foundation, this class joins more than 3,300 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982. 

·       Abby Olson, Minnco CU

·       Adam Marlowe, Georgia United CU

·       Amanda Sheehan, Centennial Lending LLC

·       Anjanette Gallegos, Guadalupe CU

·       Ashley Mason, Bayer Heritage FCU

·       Ben Jones, ORNL FCU

·       Brandon Beasley, SPC CU

·       Brittany Freeman, Iowa Credit Union League

·       Brooke Westbrook, Peach State FCU

·       Carlyssa Scanlon, Kaua’i FCU

·       Cassandre Cassamajor, SkyPoint FCU

·       Cassie Blake, America’s Credit Unions

·       Cherie Sierra, U.S. Eagle FCU

·       Chris Hagans, ORNL FCU

·       Crystal Garrison, Fibre FCU

·       CeeCee Handrow, Blackhawk Community CU

·       Daylene Wittman, Cornerstone League

·       Eunice Adjei, St Cloud Financial CU

·       Gina Lewis, GECU FCU

·       Ivey Sickafoose, America’s First FCU

·       Jacklyn Olive, Embold CU

·       Jen Burke, Maine Credit Union League

·       Jennifer Mouncer, TwinStar CU

·       Jeremiah Nazaruk, Corporate One FCU

·       Jessica Crudup, Spokane Teachers CU

·       Jim Luurtsema, Mass Mutual FCU

·       Kaelixte Wagner, Black Hills FCU

·       Karla Schriner, Coastal CU

·       Kathrine White, Ironworkers USA FCU

·       Katie Payne, Ent CU

·       Kenny Gilmore, Simplicity CU

·       Kevin Russell, SchoolsFirst FCU

·       Kylee Lemieux, North Star Community CU

·       Lea Ann Gabbert, Credit Union of America

·       Loriann Mancuso, Curql Collective

·       Matt Cook, Lake Michigan CU

·       Megan Weigel, Loyalty CU

·       Michelle Hollenbeck, Unitus Community CU

·       Minire Syla, Guardians CU

·       MyKale Clark, TruStage

·       Nic Gates, Vizo Financial Corporate CU

·       Patricio Munoz, Mutual Security CU

·       Rachel Strauch-Nelson, TruStage

·       Richard Ross, America’s Credit Unions

·       Sarah Jorde, First Alliance CU

·       Sherilyn H. Goad, Rio Grande Valley CU

·       Stacie Walker, States Employees’ CU

·       Steve Lee, Chartway FCU

·       Sue Ward-Diorio, CrossState Credit Union Foundation

·       Tatiyana Wood, Element FCU

·       Tawana Carmouche, Pelican State CU

·       Teresa Riesterer, Blackhawk Community CU

·       Tommy Lentz, Greenville FCU

·       Washima Huq, Texas Trust CU

The Facilitators

The program was facilitated by Christopher Morris, DE Program Director at the Foundation, and Dave Hinchey, VP of Community and Social Impact at The Credit Union League of Connecticut Inc.

It was coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. 

The class was mentored by Jimese Harkley, Harborstone CU; Ashley Kjenaas, TwoScore; Jody Dabrowski, Illinois Educators CU; Jennifer Parker, Skyla CU; Carolyn Reeves, Carolyn Reeves Consulting; and Zach Karolek, Summit CU. 

How to Register

To register for an available program or for more information on the DE program, visit ncuf.coop/development-education/program. To be added to the notification list to receive DE updates directly to your inbox, please contact [email protected].