MADISON, Wis.–New leadership has been named for the Development Education program and at WYCUP.
The National Credit Union Foundation, the national charitable arm of the credit union movement has named Christopher Morris as its new Program Director for the Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) program.
“Morris is a passionate advocate for the credit union difference and brings a wealth of experience in the credit union system, a strong network of credit union leaders, and a deep understanding of the cooperative philosophy and financial well-being for all,” the NCUF said.
Morris has previously held leadership roles at America’s Credit Unions, TruStage and the Foundation itself as director of communications. He has also served as a facilitator and a mentor for hundreds of credit union professionals in past CUDE classes, the foundation said.
Morris is currently the VP of Councils at America’s Credit Unions, where he has provided strategic direction and cultivated relationships with a wide variety of leaders across the credit union system.
He will be joining the Foundation on Sept. 22.
‘Truly Honored’
“I’m truly honored to help elevate and expand the impact of the Foundation’s DE Program, building on its strong legacy while bringing fresh energy and strategic leadership to its future,” Morris said in a statement. “The Foundation and DE training have profoundly shaped my career, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to reinvigorate a program that continues to inspire purpose-driven leaders across the globe.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Christopher back to the Foundation team,” Lauren Culp, executive drector at the Foundation, added in a statement. “With his wealth of knowledge about credit unions combined with his contagious passion for our collective impact, we’re confident Christopher’s leadership and bold vision for the CUDE program will take its impact to new heights.”
The Foundation said it conducted a nationwide search for the pivotal role. As DE Program Director, Morris will lead the Foundation’s “renowned” CUDE Program, engage with DE alumni, and help to strengthen credit union financial well-being work.
Multiple DE Designations
Morris earned his CUDE designation in 2005 and also holds his I-CUDE, CaribDE, Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor, and Certified Credit Union Board Member designations. He is on the board of WayForward Resources and spends his free time volunteering with food pantries and organizing group volunteer opportunities for CUDEs and local CU professionals to give back.
‘Fresh Perspective’ at Worldwide Foundation
Meanwhile, the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) said a “fresh perspective” is being brought to the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) with the naming of Kassandra Schroeder as the new director of its WYCUP and Global DE initiatives.
The World Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) program serves as a global connector for young industry leaders, offering an annual scholarship that provides valuable engagement and educational opportunities at the annual World Credit Union Conference and other WOCCU international events.
WOCCU noted the Global Credit Union Development Education (Global DE) program is designed to provide credit union employees and volunteers with greater information about and access to the International Credit Union Development Educator Designation (ICUDE), which is available to DE Program Alumni who meet a certain level of international experience.
Began in 2015
According to WOCCU, Schroeder, who obtained her own CUDE designation in 2024, takes over both initiatives after serving in various roles with WOCCU’s Meetings and Events’ team. She started as a registration assistant at the 2015 World Credit Union Conference and has since managed dozens of events for both WOCCU and WFCU, the organization said.
She received a 2018 scholarship to become a PCMA certified Digital Experience Strategist, “which served her well in leading WOCCU and WFCU to pivot to virtual engagements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schroeder eventually assumed the role of Virtual Engagements and Special Events Manager, spearheading the launch of a permanent virtual platform to expand programming for both WOCCU and WFCU. Thanks to her efforts, education and networking opportunities for WOCCU’s global audience are more accessible than ever before,” the World Council stated.
Innovative & Valuable
“Everyone in the WOCCU family knows what a reliable, hard-working and innovative employee Kassi is, and how valuable she has been to the World Credit Union Conference and other in-person and virtual engagements over the years,” Mike Reuter, president of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, said in a statement. “She brings a very rare combination of youth and experience to this role and has already shown initiative in wanting to take both WYCUP and Global DE to the next level. We are incredibly lucky to have her.”
Schroeder is a 2014 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and got her start in international programming as an intern at the UW International Learning Community and the UW Language Institute. She is also a member of ASAE, the Center for Association Leadership.
‘Infectious Enthusiasm’
“As someone who has been a part of developing and hosting the last 10 World Credit Union Conferences, I can tell you that I love working with the dedicated professionals who choose to move beyond the borders of their own countries to advance our global movement,” said Schroeder in a statement. “Both WYCUPers and Global DE professionals have a specific level of enthusiasm that is infectious. I cannot wait to serve these programs with the same level of passion that their members have always demonstrated, and to begin working to provide them with even bigger and better opportunities.”
