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46 Credit Union Leaders From Across The United States Were Designated As Credit Union Development Educators

Feb DE gradsTAMPA, FL (February 19, 2025)The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) today announced 46 credit union leaders from across the United States, were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) program in February 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 graduating class joins more than 3,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have previously received their CUDE(Credit Union Development Educator) designation.   

“For 43 years, the Credit Union Development Education (DE) program has remained dedicated to empowering credit union professionals with the skills and insights needed to assess their actions and their social, cultural, economic, and environmental impacts within their communities. The program equips individuals to navigate complex situations responsibly, fostering innovation and collaboration to advance their communities toward sustainable development through the credit union movement. By cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the DE program prepares participants to take meaningful actions that contribute to building sustainable and resilient communities now and for future generations.” said Foundation’s Chief Program Officer and DE Director, Tobi Weingart. 

The February 2025 DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States: 

  • Alexis Bingham, PixelSpoke 
  • Alyssa Horwitz, CUInsight 
  • Andrea Allen, First Alliance CU 
  • Andrea Tucker, Michigan Credit Union Foundation 
  • Andrey Gidaspov, FedChoice FCU 
  • Anthony Miles, Velera 
  • Ashley Stevens, TruStage 
  • Ashlee Jacobson Dunbar, Unitus Community CU 
  • Beth Weiler, America’s Credit Unions 
  • Chris Moss, Volt Credit Union 
  • Dana Guglielmo, Police Credit Union of Connecticut 
  • Danielle Lennix, Ascension CU 
  • Debbie Smith, Georgia United CU 
  • Denise Chapman, Kimberly Clark CU 
  • Garrett Garcia, Jersey Shore FCU 
  • Grant T. Gallagher, Affinity FCU 
  • Gwen Schajatovic Crenshaw, Florence FCU 
  • Heather Walter, Advanz Federal Credit Union 
  • Holli Roy, Suncoast CU 
  • Hope Zellers, ProFed Federal Credit Union 
  • Jamie Chandler, The Opportunity Initiative 
  • Jane Drennan, First Alliance CU 
  • Jennifer Hansen, BECU 
  • Jennifer Storey, State Employees’ Credit Union 
  • Jerry E. Clerveaux, Raiz FCU 
  • Johanna Gillispie, Go Energy Financial CU 
  • Justin Jett, ORNCL FCU 
  • Keith O’Neil, John Hopkins FCU 
  • Kelsey McKahin, Montana’s Credit Unions 
  • Kim Wall, Georgia United CU 
  • Kwame Smith, TruStage 
  • Lindsey Dahlquist, TwinStar CU 
  • Magen Prosser, Loyalty Credit Union 
  • Michael Lieberman, Vibe CU 
  • Mike Briggs, Heart of Louisana FCU 
  • Sam Hamilton lll, Credit Union 1 
  • Sara Bickers, Ent CU 
  • Sarah Billen, SchoolsFirst FCU 
  • Sarinya Ball, Peach State FCU 
  • Shanna Flynn, Coastal Credit Union 
  • Shyra L. Moran, Advancial FCU 
  • Steve Wantuck, GECU Federal Credit Union 
  • Taylor Anderson, University FCU 
  • Tiffany Mixon, SPC CU 
  • Traci Miller, Vizo Financial Corporate CU 
  • Travis Hall, South Carolina National Guard FCU 

The program was facilitated by the Foundation’s Chief Program Officer, Tobi Weingart and Brent Rempe, CEO at First Alliance Credit Union and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Coordinator at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Tawanaca Williams, SRP FCU Selina Sites; Partners FCU Brendan Wilbur, Alternatives FCU; and Meagan Barrett, Northern Colorado CU.  

Interested in attending DE? 

Registration for Virtual DE 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. 

 

Media Contact: 

Amber Conger 

[email protected] 

 

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