MADISON, Wis.—CUES and partner Currency Marketing have announced the Final Five selected to compete for the title of 2026 CUES Emerging Leader.
“CUES Emerge is designed to equip rising credit union professionals with the skills, confidence, and visibility to accelerate their careers,” CUES said. “Through live and online learning, peer collaboration, and mentorship, participants sharpen their ability to develop and present business cases that advance innovative ideas within their credit unions and communities.”
According to CUES, after completing the education phase, participants self-selected into the competition phase by submitting their business case for review by a judging panel of industry leaders.
The panel then narrowed the field to the following five finalists invited to present their ideas during a live online Pitch Show:
- Nicole Baker, Member Center Manager, Community Choice CU, Michigan
- Christina Mullins, Senior Lending Resources Specialist, State Employees’ CU, North Carolina
- Elizabeth Seelbach, Director of Strategy, Resource One CU, Texas
- Justin Thompson, Marketing Automation Analyst, Royal CU, Wisconsin
- Brandon White, Manager Financial Crimes Analytics, Wings CU, Colorado
‘Creativity & Strategic Thinking’
“The 2026 CUES Emerge finalists represent the next generation of credit union leadership,” CIES Event Manager Maegan Monson said in a statement.. “Their business cases reflect the creativity, strategic thinking, and commitment needed to address real challenges facing credit unions today, and we look forward to seeing them bring those ideas to life during the Pitch Show.”
‘Strong Foundation’
“CUES Emerge continues to build on a strong foundation of leadership development, peer connection, and practical innovation,” Currency Marketing CEO Tim McAlpine added in a statement. “The Final Five have already demonstrated the discipline and vision this program is designed to encourage, and the live pitch experience gives them a powerful platform to share solutions with the industry.”
Livestream of Presentations
CUES said business cases will be presented during the CUES Emerge Live Pitch Show on October 7 at 2 p.m. EDT; 1 p.m. CDT; 12 p.m. MDT; and 11 a.m. PDT, with the Final Five participating remotely. The livestream can be watched at CUESEmerge.com.
Following the Pitch Show, CUES said judges will identify the Top Three before naming the ultimate 2026 CUES Emerging Leader. Each of the Top Three will receive a tiered educational package and scholarships toward CUES Advanced Management Program from Cornell University, to support continued development and growth within the industry.
About the Program
CUES Emerge was launched in 2020 and built on the success of CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec, a program created through CUES and Currency Marketing’s long-standing partnership. Participants who successfully complete the online courses, Mastermind sessions, and a business case earn the Certified Credit Union Manager designation in recognition of their commitment to their careers, credit unions, and the movement, CUES said.
