54 Credit Union Leaders From Across The United States Designated As Credit Union Development Educators
Congratulations to the October 2025 class for completion of Credit Union Development Education program
The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) today announced 54 credit union leaders from across the United States were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the Foundation’s signature Credit Union Development EducationTM (DE) program in October 2025.
Delivered as an immersive week-long in-person event, the DE program is a unique, transformative training experience. 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.
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.
“Congratulations to the newest 54 members of the DE family! For 43 years, the Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education program has existed to inspire and educate credit union professionals around our collective ‘why’ as a movement and the development issues that present barriers to financial well-being,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Lauren Culp. “Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how the credit union system can leverage its cooperative difference and help build stronger communities.”
The October 2025 DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States:
| 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 |
Graduate Cassandre Cassamajor of SkyPoint FCU said, “DE Training is a transformative experience and has been a true blessing—learning alongside passionate CU champions who are committed to uplifting communities through action. It reminded me of why we serve and the powerful impact credit unions have in creating intentional, people-centered solutions. The DE program offers more than a certification; it’s a path to purpose, community, and the courage to turn ideas into action.”
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., and 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.
Interested in attending DE?
To register for an available program or for more information on the DE program, please 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].
About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop)
The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) is the charitable arm of the U.S. credit union movement and works as a catalyst to improve people’s financial lives through credit unions. Through grants and programs, the Foundation is strengthening financial well-being, igniting passion and instilling knowledge about the credit union difference, and uniting resources to help credit union people during disaster. Donations to the Foundation ultimately enable credit unions to help their members reach life-changing goals and achieve financial freedom.
Media Contact:
Holly Fearing