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40 Credit Union Leaders Were Designated As Credit Union Development Educators

Virtual DE

MADISON, WI (December 23, 2024)The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) today announced 40 credit union leaders were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) program in Virtual 2024.  

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 graduating class joins more than 3,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have previously received their CUDETM (Credit Union Development Educator) designation.  

“The needs and expectations of consumers may have evolved since DE was established 42 years ago. But the opportunity for credit unions to leverage the cooperative principles to meet those needs—to work with compassion to understand their communities, and develop solutions that have a positive, measurable impact on them—remains” said Foundation’s Chief Program Officer and DE Director, Tobi Weingart. 

“The DE program’s longevity exemplifies the credit union movement’s unwavering commitment to improve financial well-being for all,” added Weingart. 

The Virtual 2024 DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States: 

  • Alejandro Hernandez, Orange County’s Credit Union 
  • Alicia Varvaro, TwinStar CU 
  • Amanda Kissner, Wakota FCU 
  • Brittany Sumpter, Upward Credit Union 
  • Brooke Bortner-Fetrow, Glatco CU 
  • Carrie Clark, Ent CU 
  • Chris Dowhower, Vizo Financial Corporate CU 
  • Ciara LaVelle, Humanidei 
  • Craig Pavlich, Matanuska Valley FCU 
  • Damaris Carroll, Velera 
  • Denise Tassone, Steel Strong Community FCU 
  • Ginger Leigh Smith, Community Credit Union 
  • Gregg Edwards, Market USA FCU 
  • Heather Spencer, Vizo Financial Corporate CU 
  • Holly Hanson, Riverbank FCU 
  • Jackie L. Bloom, TruStage 
  • Jackie Jackson, Chartway FCU 
  • Jaimie Garver, Ironworkers USA FCU 
  • Jessica Martinez, Credit Union West 
  • Kathy Vongroven, Altra FCU 
  • Kristin Shultz, Spectra Credit Union 
  • Leah Combs, Eastern Indiana FCU 
  • Lisa Cox, CORE CU 
  • Maranda Pogue, TruStage 
  • Maria R. Brunner, Credit Union West 
  • Marissa Leffel, NorthRidge Community CU 
  • Megan Babbitt, America’s Credit Unions 
  • Mike Stott, Deseret First FCU 
  • Patti McGrath, SRP FCU 
  • Pearlette J. Ramos, OneAZ CU 
  • Robert D. Stefanek, Ent CU 
  • Samantha Annen, Summit CU 
  • Sarah Bauer, Shoreline Credit Union 
  • Shea Brown, Leaders Credit Union 
  • Stacy Myers, Unitus Community CU 
  • Sydney Wright, SkyPoint FCU 
  • Tanika S. Floyd, Civic FCU 
  • Tiffany Pillars, Cutting Edge FCU 
  • Tim Hart, SchoolsFirst FCU 
  • Wendy Krnavek, Credit Human 

The program was facilitated by the Foundation’s Senior Programs Manager, Danielle Harris and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Coordinator, the Foundation. The class was mentored by Kristen Pepper, Suncoast Credit Union, Carolyn Reeves, Carolyn Reeves Consulting, Shasta Leininger, Quality Data Systems, and Meghan Jamison, Trellance.   

Interested in attending DE? 

2025 registration is still available! To register for an available program or for more information on DE, 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].  

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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.

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