PALM DESERT, Calif.–The leaders of four different credit union organizations shared their experiences on how CUs can better work together to accomplish some common goals.
The viewpoints were shared during the Defense Credit Union Council’s annual meeting at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, Calif.
The Credit Union Leadership Panel was moderated by DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez and also included Kathy Anchors-Budd, president and CEO of NCUMA; Celeste Shelton, executive director of the National Association of Credit Union Chairs, and Heather McKissick, CEO of CUES.
What is Your Perspective?
During the discussion, Hernandez asked each panelist what their perspective was on how “we work together to accomplish our goals,” DCUC reported.
“We obviously focus on credit union board leaders, chairs, vice chairs and directors, educating and providing networking opportunities for these leasers. I think we’ve kind of all realized that we have a great synergy…we’re finding those areas where we can complement and support one another,” said Shelton. “We [NACUC] definitely appreciate the advocacy efforts that DCUC is doing and getting that word out to our members that may only attend the conference that’s just attended by directors, who may not get out to other conferences…so that’s really important for us to get our message out to them as well.”
‘Really Top-Notch’
Added McKissick, “The partnerships that are represented here at this conference are really top-notch. I think for me, I’ve said a lot of it yesterday, but there are so many of us in the system partner category, and we all have different, unique strengths and gifts to bring to credit unions, and to those that they serve.
“And it’s challenging. I think as the market…it depends on your perspective, it’s either shrinking or it’s getting bigger, but system partners can sometimes still act in a competitive fashion in that we are all trying to distinguish ourselves, but still offer very similar benefits to our single constituency,” McKissick continued. “So, this idea of really partnering, being creative, being resourceful, leveraging each other as resources for the good of the whole…that part is what I’m excited about. And what I really think you guys have done a great job here representing.”
The Need for a Different Space
“As the credit union industry speaks to their membership, and to the other financial institutions, what sets them apart is their original goal: people helping people,” Anchors Budd said. “And advocacy obviously is a lane that is very important, but you have to sort of create a space that is different. And I think credit unions telling their story of why they’re different, I think the three of our organizations can assist credit unions. The programs that you have, lifting up those stories so that people know why credit unions are different…and trade associations can share that to get the word out.
“That’s a great way, I think, that we can support the industry on a lane that’s other than advocacy but just wildly different.”
Meeting Highlights
Other highlights from the meeting, according to DCUC:
Details About AFFN
Following a networking breakfast, sponsored by FIS, attendees and guests heard from Fisher House Foundation’s Tish Stropes, VP of Strategic Initiatives. Stropes sat down with AFFN president/CEO John Broda to share more about the organization’s mission of providing “a home away from home” for military families during medical crises, according to DCUC.
Afterward, Stropes expresses appreciation for being selected as this year’s “Conference with a Purpose” charity beneficiary, and thanked attendees, sponsors, and Earnest Consulting Group for their generous contributions and support, DCUC reported.
New Partnership to be Announced
Hernandez told the meeting DCUC and NCUMA will officially announce a new partnership with more details on what this will bring to both organizations’ members and the credit union industry.
‘The Price of Valor’
According to DCUC, attendees were deeply moved by retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Lance Bradford’s keynote, “The Price of Valor, the Gift of Fate,” which recounted his personal journey of injury, recovery, and transformation after his service in Iraq.
“Bradford’s story of resilience, sacrifice, and personal transformation highlights the lived experiences that reaffirm the importance of advocacy, service, and support for veterans,” DCUC stated.
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions during the DCUC meeting also included:
- “What Is Your Leadership Legacy?” presented by Liz Santos, chief consulting officer with The Sheeter Group, who emphasized the importance of mentorship and intentional legacy-building.
- “Separating the Signal from the Noise,” during which Brian Bauer, CEO, and Sanjay Bhaskar, CRO at Revio Insight, shared strategies for using core data insights to drive performance.
- “How Internal Talent Mobility Creates Long-Term Leadership Excellence,” led by Curtis Viggers, Sr. executive benefits specialist, TruStage, who focused on building succession strategies from within.
- “Increasing Your CU’s NII While Addressing Cyber Preparedness & Member Engagement,” hosted by James McCabe, EVP – Identity Theft Solutions, and Brian McEntire, VP of sales for Identity Theft with Vero LLC, who examined data breach trends and integrated member solutions.
- “Powering Advocacy: Advancing Credit Union Voices Through the DCUC PAC & NAF,” with Jason Stverak, DCUC’s chief advocacy officer, highlighting how legislative engagement strengthens the credit union movement.
