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National Credit Union Foundation Certifies 40 Leaders As Development Educators

DE virtual grad

Energizing virtual DE class equips leaders to champion financial well-being in credit unions nationwide

MADISON, WI (December 15, 2025) – The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) certified 40 credit union leaders as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) program in the year’s only virtual class.

The 2025 virtual DE class, delivered over four weeks, offers a unique opportunity for those who might not otherwise be able to participate—an innovative and connected alternative to the program’s traditional week-long, in-person experience.

The DE program provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. Participants engage in interactive speaker sessions and collaborative group exercises designed to deepen understanding of the credit union difference, emotional intelligence, and the importance of advancing financial well-being. This class joins the more than 3,300 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the United States DE program since its launch in 1982.

“Congratulations to the newest 40 members of the DE family! For 43 years, the Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education program has served as a source of unstoppable energy to drive the powerful mission of the credit union movement ever forward,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Lauren Culp.  “Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how credit unions are uniquely positioned to build a world where everyone can achieve financial well-being.”

The 2025 Virtual DE graduating class included credit union industry representatives from coast to coast:

  • Aimee Morin, Cooperative Credit Union Association
  • Amanda Powell, Finger Lakes Health Care FCU
  • Amber Pippin, First Family FCU
  • Amy Flahaut, Peak CU
  • Anton Bossio, Alloya Corporate FCU
  • Catalina Hess, Upward CU
  • Courtney Penix, Bridge CU
  • Danielle Caro, Ent CU
  • David Baldwin, San Antonio Citizens FCU
  • David Inglish, Kitsap CU
  • Deiredra Oliver, Visions FCU
  • Dennis Weiskircher, Members Heritage CU
  • Emiliano Salas, Meridian Trust FCU
  • Erika Sylvester, Clearwater CU
  • Esmeralda Molina, Altra FCU
  • Hali Hagist, Alive CU
  • Hunter Hurst, Simplicity CU
  • Jennifer Lopez Kouchis, ORNL FCU
  • Jenni Roberts, O Bee CU
  • Jodi McNamara, United Teletech Financial FCU
  • Kayla Kuriger, Vizo Financial Corporate CU
  • Kelsey Mahone, Midsouth Community FCU
  • Kenneth R. Hefner, Frontwave CU
  • Kimberly Byrne, Blackhawk Community CU
  • Kirsten Wallace, Altra FCU
  • Kristin Moras, Credit Human
  • Laura Smith, Idaho Central CU
  • Leigh Warwick, State Employees’ CU
  • Linda Lafortune, CUInsight
  • Mallory Hazard, ELGA CU
  • Mandy Lee, Verity CU
  • Martha Shine, Park Manor Christian Church CU
  • Matt Murray, Corporate One FCU
  • Megan Temple, O Bee CU
  • Sean McEwen, Solarity CU
  • Stephanie Santillanes, Sunward FCU
  • Tanya Lee, HawaiiUSA FCU
  • Taylor Henderson, Carolina Foothills FCU
  • Willow Oelke, Wauna FCU
  • Yuka Suzuki, SchoolsFirst FCU
Virtual CUDE 2025 headshots
“I learned young why advocacy matters. The individuals who stood with me and for me helped shape the person I became, and DE reminded me how meaningful and life-changing our work in the credit union world can be,” said Willow Oelke, Virtual DE graduate and AVP of Community Engagement at Wauna Credit Union. “It affirmed my calling to serve with compassion and hope and to live the credit union difference, where people helping people becomes a lifeline and even one act of support can strengthen an entire community.”

 

The program was facilitated by the Foundation’s DE Program Director, Christopher Morris and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Jeanne Heath, Vizo Financial Corporate CU, Jamie Chilewski, Simplicity CU, and Laura Eblen, Mazuma CU.

 
Interested in attending DE?
Registration for the 2026 Virtual DE class is still available! To register, or for more information on future opportunities, 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 exists to improve financial well-being with and through credit unions. Through innovations, grants and programs, the Foundation is strengthening financial well-being, energizing purpose, 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
[email protected] 

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