A very sobering conversations with Carefull’s CEO Todd Rovak and Merck Employees Federal Credit Union President Paul Gentile, as they joined us on the show to share how their two organizations have stepped up their efforts to help eradicate elder fraud in today's financial services arena.

Paul and Todd talked about tactics used by fraudsters, such as social engineering, highlighting the challenges older adults face in recognizing scams.

They also discussed how credit unions can provide increased awareness and education regarding elder fraud, which are essential to prevent exploitation -- while community support plays a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations from fraud.

Todd and Paul shared examples/experiences of elder fraud they've seen in their careers -- and how prevalent it is today, unfortunately.

In addition, they addressed how are Carefull and Merck Employees FCU are working together to mitigate elder fraud, and what’s next for their two organizations working together to stem this tide.

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Q&A summary
What types of scams are particularly concerning for older adults?
The discussion highlights romance scams, charitable donation scams, and issues related to cognitive decline as major concerns for older adults.

What alarming statistic is mentioned about the reporting of elder fraud cases?
Only one in 44 instances of elder fraud is reported, indicating a significant underreporting of these cases.

What proactive measures can credit unions take to prevent elder fraud?
Credit unions can implement services like Carefull to monitor transactions and alert members if they notice unusual or potentially harmful financial activities.

What emotional aspect is highlighted regarding older adults and fraud?
Older adults often feel embarrassed about being scammed, which can prevent them from seeking help or reporting fraud.

How can older adults contribute to community safety according to the discussion?
Older adults can become advocates by sharing their experiences of spotting scams, thus helping to educate others in the community.

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

Community Financial Credit Union Chief Experience Officer Danielle Milner stopped by the Studio Lounge to share her highlights and takeaways from each of the presenters and panel session at this year's "Closing the Equity Gap" event in Detroit, MI.

In addition, Danielle talked about the credit union's recent "Choose the Bear" initiative that is the next evolution of CFCU's commitment to doing good for its communities, offering a number of potential financial lifelines to help survivors pivot their economic outlooks for the better -- dedicating to helping women escape economic abuse and regain the promise of freedom that this country was founded on. 

To help promote Choose the Bear, outdoor adventurist/journalist Laura Killingbeck will ride her bike around the state of Michigan this summer. Danielle shares what Laura will be doing around the state, as she rides and promotes Choose the Bear for Community Financial -- as well as goals of this statewide venture -- to combat the gender equity gap, alongside programs to assist women escaping domestic violence.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our episodes from this event for each speaker's perspective on this pressing topic:
Tansley Stearns
Samantha Paxson
Ashley M. Williams
Princess Castleberry
Linda Armyn
Missy Testerman

RIZZARR Founder & CEO Ashley M. Williams joined us in the Studio Lounge to preview her "Closing the Equity Gap" presentation/panel session on how the ripple effect of individual actions can inspire others to foster a greater positive impact. Ashley also shared her insights on AI technology that connects content creators with brands.

In addition, she discussed her journey as a woman of color in journalism and tech, revealing plans for a new platform aimed at expanding RIZZARR's customer base and encouraging others to create positive change from ripple effects.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our episodes from this event for each speaker's perspective on this pressing topic:
Tansley Stearns
Samantha Paxson
Linda Armyn
Princess Castleberry
Missy Testerman

Power & Light Collaborative Founder & Lead Investor Samantha Paxson stopped by the Studio Lounge to preview her "Closing the Equity Gap" presentation/panel session, discussing the significance of human-centric strategies for credit unions and fintechs. 

Specifically, Samantha talked about the value of empathetic leadership traits, often seen in women, that enhance business performance and promote gender equality. She also addressed the equity gap women face in leadership roles and emphasizes the need for inclusive opportunities, fostering a workforce where diverse voices are heard.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our episodes from this event for each speaker's perspective on this pressing topic:
Tansley Stearns
Ashley M. Williams
Princess Castleberry
Linda Armyn
Missy Testerman

Castleberry Global's Princess Castleberry stopped by the Studio Lounge to preview her "Closing the Equity Gap"  presentation, which focused on the challenges of leadership burnout and conflict -- and the importance of understanding human behaviors in leadership.

Specifically, Princess added how her "Live, Lead, and Build Leverage™" framework uncovers hidden triggers and behaviors to equip leaders to make smarter decisions, reduce burnout, and resolve misalignment and conflict—so they can focus on lasting growth.

Lastly, she shared highlights of her executive playbook for sustainable growth:

• Identify unnoticed risks that stall momentum and drain resources.
• Uncover The Four Hidden Behaviors™ quietly eroding leadership effectiveness.
• Develop six high-impact skills to strengthen decision-making and adaptability at scale.
• Turn internal friction into levers for innovation, collaboration, and sustained success.
• Equip leaders with an executive playbook for long-term, high-performance growth.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our episodes from this event for each speaker's perspective on this pressing topic:
Tansley Stearns
Samantha Paxson
Ashley M. Williams
Linda Armyn
Missy Testerman