MADISON, Wis.— CUES and TruStage have announced the 25 credit union professionals selected for the inaugural CUES x TruStage Leadership Pathways cohort, a year-long leadership development experience “designed to expand access to advanced executive preparation across the credit union movement.”
“Leadership Pathways brings together management education, executive coaching, and cohort-based connections to support rising leaders as they prepare for broader responsibility and long-term impact within the industry,” the organizations said.
The Cohort
The 2026 cohort includes:
- Crystal Acevedo, I AM Federal Credit Union
- Taryn Allbrooks, Concord Federal Credit Union
- Priscilla Awkard, Coastal Credit Union
- Christopher Bowles, Young Community Federal Credit Union
- Kenia Calderon Ceron, Seattle Credit Union
- Sylvia Clark, New Covenant Dominion Federal Credit Union
- Cesar Cortez, First Alliance Credit Union
- Amanda Denney, Elements Financial Credit Union
- Alberto Diosdado, Universal City Studios Credit Union
- Ana Duarte, A+ Federal Credit Union
- Katherine Flory, Questa Credit Union
- Lars Gilberts, Numerica Credit Union
- Alisa Holman, Sun Community Federal Credit Union
- Terry Inskip, OAS Federal Credit Union
- Vashyon Jackson, RBFCU
- Sam Jensen, Peak Credit Union
- Jessica Martinez, Credit Union West
- Mary Navarrete, Point West Credit Union
- Erika Ordaz, Rivermark Community Credit Union
- Stephanie Peoples, One Detroit Credit Union
- Esperanza Poblano, AACUC
- Tyler Richards, Edwards Federal Credit Union
- Grace Thompson, Civic Federal Credit Union
- Grant Weiland, Border Federal Credit Union
- Cassandra White Hemphill, Church of The Master Federal Credit Union
Partner Organizations Play Role
CUES and TruStage said partner organizations Inclusiv, the National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals (NLCUP), the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), and CU Pride played an important role in identifying and nominating candidates for the inaugural cohort. Their collaboration helped ensure a strong selection of applicants representing a range of roles, regions, perspectives, and credit union experiences, the two organizations added“Leadership Pathways reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the leadership pipeline across the credit union system,” CUES and TruStage stated. “The program is intended to create greater access to high-impact leadership development through CUES Advanced Management Program with Cornell University, for emerging leaders who demonstrate strong potential, a commitment to growth, and a desire to help advance the movement.”
