54 Credit Union Leaders Earn CUDE Designation in September DE Class of 2026
September cohort completes the National Credit Union Foundation’s signature Credit Union Development Education program
The National Credit Union Foundation has named 54 leaders from across the United States as the next Credit Union Development Educators of 2026. The group earned their designation after completing the Foundation’s signature Credit Union Development EducationTM (DE) program on September 4.
Delivered as an immersive week-long, in-person experience, the DE program offers a transformative learning journey designed to strengthen leadership to improve financial well-being. Through collaborative group work, experiential learning, and interactive discussions, participants deepen their connection to the cooperative model while exploring how credit unions can create meaningful impact in their communities. Participants leave equipped with new perspectives, lasting relationships, and practical tools to help move the credit union mission forward.
This class joins a growing community of more than 3,500 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982.
“We’re thrilled to welcome our newest graduating class of certified Credit Union Development Educators,” said Executive Director Lauren Culp. “These credit union leaders of all levels join us with curiosity, heart, and a genuine desire to develop and improve their communities. And, they walk away with a trusted network of likeminded leaders, a deeper appreciation for the collaborative superpower of cooperatives, and a passion to change the world through credit unions.”
The September DE graduating class included credit union leaders from across the United States:
| · Allie Salyer, The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, (FL) |
| · Allison Boulware, SPC CU, (SC) |
| · Amanda Blackwell, SRP FCU, (SC) |
| · Amber Chrisman, Bayer Heritage FCU, (WV) |
| · Carmen Luna, Mutual Security CU, (CT) |
| · Cesar Cortez-Villa, First Alliance CU, (MN) |
| · Charles McKinney, Jr., Visions FCU, (NY) |
| · Charles Torres, Unitus Community CU, (OR) |
| · Chris M. Holman, Greenville FCU, (SC) |
| · Cindy Lindsey, RVA Financial, (VA) |
| · Cornisha Clayton, Luminate Louisiana Credit Unions, (LA) |
| · David Miles, Rio Grande Credit Union, (NM) |
| · Elisa Furlan-Young, Credit Union Association of New Mexico, (NM) |
| · Elizabeth Carson, Bayer Heritage FCU, (WV) |
| · Elizabeth Zamora, CommonWealth Central CU, (CA) |
| · Emily Herrarte Vargas, Farmers Insurance FCU, (CA) |
| · Emily Stewart, First Alliance CU, (MN) |
| · Ena Babic Barnes, Iowa Credit Union Foundation, (IA) · J. Kevin Ryan, World Council of Credit Unions, (WI) · Heather McBroom, Wings Credit Union, (CO) |
| · Jenni Paramore, Directions CU, (OH) |
| · Jenny Klamm, Wisconsin Credit Union League, (WI) |
| · JoBetsy Tyler, First Central CU, (TX) |
| · Joli Hensley, Advia Credit Union, (MI) |
| · Karista Gallick, Lake Trust Credit Union Foundation, (MI) |
| · Kate Chomas, Members First CU, (MI) |
| · Lauren Simonds, Maine Credit Union League, (ME) |
| · Lisa Eichten, Wings Credit Union, (MN) |
| · Lori Shaw, SPC CU, (SC) |
| · Madelyn Hogan, Members Source CU, (IN) |
| · Makayla Howard, Simplicity Credit Union, (WI) |
| · Maria Patton, Allegacy Financial FCU, (NC) |
| · Matthew Cook, Peach State FCU, (GA) |
| · Matthew Nahan, orsa credit union, (MI) |
| · Mechele Laugel, Coastal Credit Union, (NC) |
| · Mike Clennett, SRP FCU, (SC) |
| · Mike Thomas, Service 1st FCU, (PA) |
| · Mila Cordeiro, San Antonio Citizens FCU, (FL) |
| · Nick Behler, Corporate One Federal Credit Union, (OH) |
| · Nina Adams, Community South Credit Union, (FL) |
| · Nina Delos Santos, Greylock FCU, (MA) |
| · Rebecca Mauth, Wings Credit Union, (CO) |
| · Roxy Garcia, Credit Union West, (AZ) |
| · Sandra Gonzales, Rio Grande Valley CU, (TX) |
| · Sandra Patino, IDB Global FCU, (DC) |
| · Sarah Gyetvay, Christian Financial Credit Union, (MI) |
| · Stacey Waddell, State Employees’ Credit Union, (NC) |
| · Tana Galbreath, North Star Community CU, (ND) |
| · Timi Ayala, SchoolsFirst FCU, (CA) |
| · Todd E. Gravelle, Guadalupe CU, (NM) |
| · Tori Nause, 1st Mississippi FCU, (MS) |
| · Victoria Starks, TruStage, (WI) |
| · Wendy Ward, ORNL FCU, (TN) |
| · Whitney C. Lucas, Loyalty Credit Union, (FL) |
“I’m returning to the League with so many ideas for creating stronger communities in Maine. I now see how, at any level and with any amount of experience, we can make a lasting impact and work toward a better tomorrow for all,” said Lauren Simonds, CUDE, Maine Credit Union League Director of Communications & Social Impact. “I am rooted in purpose and connected to something bigger than myself—as all of us in the credit union industry are.”
This DE class was hosted at TruStage headquarters in Madison, WI, as part of the Foundation’s ongoing DE partnership with TruStage to help cultivate purpose-driven leadership across the credit union movement. As part of the immersive experience, participants volunteered with local organizations addressing food insecurity to put the credit union philosophy of people helping people into action through community service. The volunteer experience is an important reminder in the DE program that financial well-being is built not only through products and services, but through relationships, community partnership, and a shared commitment to supporting people through life’s challenges.
“There is nothing quite like watching a new DE class come together,” said Christopher Morris, Senior Program Director, DE. “They arrive from different organizations, roles, and communities, and in just a few days, they’ve built a network that will stay with them long after they leave Madison. As we prepare to open registration for our 2027 classes this fall, this group has us even more excited about who will walk through the doors next and how they’ll add their own energy, ideas, and experiences to the DE community.”
The program was facilitated by Christopher Morris, Senior Program Director, DE at the Foundation and Tracie Kenyon, Co-Founder and Executive Development Partner at Zealyst, and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Emily Nail, Coastal Credit Union; Cooper Larson, Royal Credit Union; Tina Liegel, Wisconsin Credit Union League; Nikita Mathews, AmFirst Credit Union; Tina Davis, Peak Credit Union; and Rich Mohr, America’s Credit Unions.
As the Foundation continues investing in leadership development across the credit union movement, the DE program will expand opportunities for professionals to connect, collaborate, and lead with purpose. Dates for the 2027 DE classes are now posted on our website and Foundation scholarships applications for the 2027 classes open tomorrow.
Registration for 2027 DE classes will open this fall, with additional opportunities for DE alumni to remain engaged through virtual gatherings, peer learning experiences, and ongoing community connection throughout the year. 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 https://www.ncuf.coop/contact/.