Dr. Brandi Stankovic, Principal at Strategic Advisory Solutions, and her sons James and Andrew stopped by the show to share their experience during last summer's "Bring Your Kids to Africa" experience in Kenya -- which prompted the recent launch 2026 Youth Immersion Program (sign ups are taking place right now).

During their trip to Kenya, Brandi, Andrew, and James highlighted cultural insights, wildlife encounters, and their visit to a local school (Don Bosco Special School). They emphasize the importance of financial literacy and community engagement through the recently launched Youth Immersion Program.

​Andrew and James reflected on lessons about gratitude, happiness, and valuing relationships over material things, expressing a desire to return and encouraging others to join similar programs for personal growth and global awareness.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure watch our episode with Resource One Credit Union's Mary Beth Spuck and ACCOSCA's Loin Kitsch for more details and to participate in the 2026 Youth Immersion Program -- as well as TruStage's Jenefer Machovina and her daughters' experience.

NOTE: Some of the audio is a bit muffled in the beginning but clears up toward the end.

Jenefer Machovina, Director - International at TruStage, and her daughters Paige and Mia (students at The Ohio State University) joined us on the show to share their experience during last summer's "Bring Your Kids to Africa" experience in Kenya -- which fostered the recent launch 2026 Youth Immersion Program (sign ups are taking place right now).

During their trip to Kenya, Jenefer, Paige and Mia helped local children and improved educational facilities, aiming to broaden youth perspectives and encourage service. Their reflections highlighted the emotional significance of giving back and, again, the creation of a Youth Immersion Program to provide similar opportunities for more children, emphasizing collaboration and cultural appreciation. And there was a pretty cool safari, too.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure watch our episode with Resource One Credit Union's Mary Beth Spuck and ACCOSCA's Loin Kitsch for more details and to participate in the 2026 Youth Immersion Program -- as well as Dr. Brandi Stankovic and her sons experience.

Resource One Credit Union’s President/CEO Mary Beth Spuck and ACCOSCA’s Board Member (and Co-founder of CU Difference) Lois Kitsch joined us on the show to share the story behind the recent launch of their “Youth Immersion Program" stemmed from last summer's "Bring Your Kids to Africa" experience in Kenya.

Mary Beth and Lois explained that the Youth Immersion Program is designed to introduce youth (primarily ages 12–18) to cooperative principles, servant leadership, financial inclusion, and global awareness through immersive, hands-on experiences -- a kind of mini-DE program for kids.

In particular, they talked about the "Bring Your Kids to Africa" experience introducing youth to global development issues through hands-on learning in Africa. Parents and their kids engaged in service projects, cultural exchanges, and leadership development -- as well as a super cool safari.

This year's Youth Immersion Program (2026) includes a week-long camp in Washington state (August 2-5 ) at IslandWood, an environmental education nonprofit, and a trip to back to Kenya in 2027 -- all focusing on sustainable development. So far 23 kids have signed up and there is a limit of 40.

Fundraising efforts for the program aim to make it more accessible, emphasizing youth involvement in credit unions and inspiring future leaders. Cornerstone Foundation has already provided a $10,000 donation.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch the entire episode below for all the details -- as well as sign up for the Youth Immersion Program!

To get the kids experience, watch these two videos:

• Dr. Brandi Stankovic and Sons Share 'Bring Your Kids to Africa' Experience
• TruStage's Jenefer Machovina and Daughters Share 'Bring Your Kids to Africa' Experience

CUES VP of Marketing Nicole (Nikki) Morrison and Currency CEO Tim McAlpine joined us on the show to announce the kick off of CUES 2026 Emerge -- calling all emerging leaders to take that next step in their careers. Deadline to enter is February 9.

Tim and Nikki talked about how, year after year, CUES Emerge focuses on developing emerging leaders in the credit union industry through executive education, peer collaboration, and business case pitching.

They added that participants benefit from online learning, mentorship, and the chance to present innovative ideas to the industry for future implementation.

Tim and Nikki shared how the CUES Emerge program, which is FREE by the way, has a strong history of advancing careers, with many alumni stepping into significant leadership positions within the industry The application process is outlined, highlighting the importance of leadership development in the sector.

Q&A summary...
What is the CUESEmerge program and how does it benefit emerging leaders?
The CUES Emerge program is an emerging leader development initiative that combines executive education, peer collaboration, and a competitive business case pitching component, all at no cost. It helps participants build critical leadership skills and gain exposure to industry experts.
What kind of skills can participants expect to develop through the CUES Emerge program?
Participants will develop key leadership skills such as strategic thinking, executive presence, and the ability to build a business case, which are essential for advancing their careers.
How does the CUES Emerge program foster collaboration among participants?
The program encourages collaboration by forming mastermind groups with participants from different credit unions, ensuring they are not direct competitors. This setup allows for open discussions and sharing of ideas.
What is the significance of the business case component in the CUES Emerge program?
The business case component allows participants to apply their learning to real-world problems, with many ideas being implemented in their credit unions. This practical experience is invaluable for their professional growth.
What are some notable success stories from past CUES Emerge participants?
Past participants have gone on to achieve significant roles, such as Ronaldo Hardy, who became a CEO after participating in the program. Many winners have made impactful contributions to their credit unions and the industry.
What resources are available to participants during the CUES Emerge program?
Participants have access to online learning platforms, including Harvard ManageMentor, and receive coaching and mentorship throughout the program to enhance their learning experience.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch the entire episode below for all the details. Once again, the deadline to enter is February 9.

Jennifer Gardner, Product Manager - Descriptive & Regulatory Analytics at Rise Analytics, stopped by the show to discuss the significant time savings their 5300 Automation Solution allows credit unions in their quarterly call reports to the NCUA.

Specifically, Jennifer talked about how this regulatory analytics tool automates data entry and validation, freeing up time for credit unions to concentrate on analysis and member services. The 5300 Automation Solution leverages existing data and offers customization to meet specific needs, improving accuracy and minimizing manual errors while helping credit unions adapt to changing reporting requirements.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch the entire episode below for all the detail.