54 Credit Union Leaders From Across The United States Designated As Credit Union Development Educators
Congratulations to the September 2025 DE Class for completion of 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 National Credit Union Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) program in September 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 CUDETM (Credit Union Development Educator) designation.
“Congratulations to the newest 54 members of the CUDE family! For 43 years, The Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education (DE) 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. Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how the credit union system can leverage its cooperative difference and help build stronger communities,” said Foundation Executive Director Lauren Culp.
The September 2025 DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States:
| · Amanda Williams, GECU Federal Credit Union |
| · Brittany Tiemeier, Afena FCU |
| · Callen Holmes, Velera |
| · Candace Washington Theodore, OnPath FCU |
| · Cassandra Russell, REV FCU |
| · Cat Outten, Ent CU |
| · Collene Wester, Copper Basin FCU |
| · David Black, TruStage |
| · Desiree’ Gary, Heart of Louisiana Credit Union |
| · Gina Cummans, City & County Credit Union |
| · Jay Doniaz, Ventura County CU |
| · Jay Huffstatler, OnPath FCU |
| · Jennifer Webb, UP Federal Credit Union |
| · Jillian Hill, CUCollaborate |
| · John Simpson, Peach State FCU |
| · Dr. John Mudany, Stima SACCO |
| · Jose M. Hernandez, SchoolsFirst FCU |
| · Karman Rucker, Minnequa Works Credit Union |
| · Kathy O’Neill, CommunityAmerica Credit Union |
| · Kendall Burton, Loyalty Credit Union |
| · Kim Schupbach, Southeastern Ohio CU Inc |
| · Lacey Galyon, St. Tammany FCU |
| · Leah Pokraka, Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union |
| · Drew Scharmer, North Star Community CU |
| · Megan Crown, McPherson Co-op CU |
| · Megan Crowson, America’s Credit Unions |
| · Millie Wells-Boyer, NorthRidge Community CU |
| · Mindi Greenland, Georgia United CU |
| · Molly Heintz, Altra FCU |
| · Natalie Carrico, Allegacy FCU |
| · Nick Tonelli, Members1st Community CU |
| · Nikita’ Mathews, America’s First FCU |
| · Paige Zoelk, Simplicity Credit Union |
| · Pixie Gray, CUES |
| · Prashanth Arulsakaran, Trailhead Credit Union |
| · Rachel Plesha, TruStage |
| · Randy Goshow, Ironworkers USA FCU |
| · Robin Fries, First Alliance CU |
| · Sara Rochelle, Credit Union Association of New Mexico |
| · Sarah Thompson, States Employees’ Credit Union |
| · Sheri Shannon, University of Illinois Community CU |
| · Stasia Kikuharu, Unitus Community CU |
| · Simon Scoffins, Vizo Financial Corporate CU |
| · Steve Wildes, Coporate One Federal Credit Union |
| · Tanner Layle, United Bay Community CU |
| · Taylor Ellison, VISA |
| · Thom Payne, Expree CU |
| · Tiffani Farris, Tarrant County’s CU |
| · Tiffany P. Dubose, Coastal Credit Union |
| · Tom Mitsoff, America’s Credit Unions |
| · Torrance Harris, Visa |
| · Tracy Wood, HopeSouth CU |
| · Wadsworth Pilot II, Vibe CU |
| · Wendy Williams, America’s First Network Credit Union |
The program was facilitated by First Alliance Credit Union CEO, Brent Rempe and Catie McDonald, Chief Impact Officer at the Foundation and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by John Cassidy, TruStage; Kasey Rockwell, Rockwell Advisory Services; Danielle Thibodeaux, Luminate Louisiana Credit Union; Jessica Sharon, Pelican State Credit Union; Randy Stolp, PHXRZNG; and Justin Rezkalla, Corporate One Federal Credit Union.
Interested in attending DE this year?
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:
Danielle Brown