47 CREDIT UNION LEADERS EARN CUDE DESIGNATION IN FIRST DE CLASS OF 2026

Lauren Culp

The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) has named 47 leaders from across the United States as the first Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) of 2026. The group earned their designation after completing the Foundation’s signature Credit Union Development EducationTM(DE) program in February. 
 
Delivered as an immersive week-long in-person experience, the DE program offers a distinctive and transformative learning opportunity. Participants explore the cooperative principles, credit union purpose, and unique ideas that set credit unions apart from other financial institutions. Through collaborative group work, experiential activities, and interactive speaker sessions, participants deepen their understanding of the credit union difference, strengthen their emotional intelligence, and build strategies for creating a world where everyone can achieve financial well‑being.
 
This class joins a growing community of more than 3,300 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982. 
 
“Congratulations, DEs! This first class of 2026 reflects the energy and momentum we’re seeing across the credit union movement,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Lauren Culp.  “Each participant arrives with a commitment to creating positive impact, and they leave equipped with new tools, perspectives, and connections to put that commitment into action. I am proud to see their leadership strengthening the cooperative system and the communities we all serve.”
 
The February DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States:
 
·       Ada Myteberi, Visions FCU

·       Aldina Babic, Lake Michigan CU

·       Mandy Schnittker, First Commerce CU

·       Amber Tate, Tinker FCU

·       Ana Bedon, Peach State FCU

·       Andy Dennis, America's Credit Unions

·       Annie Elhard, Dakota Credit Union Association

·       Ashley Beach Reid, African-American CU Coalition

·       Becky S. Cruz, Shared Service Solutions LLC

·       Cari Palmer, Energy Plus CU

·       Carl Seabrook, States Employees' Credit Union

·       Cassie Haynes, Suncoast CU

·       Cayla Everett, ORNL FCU

·       Christina Carter, Midcoast FCU

·       Christopher Ortega, Lake Michigan CU

·       Danielle Sommerfeldt, First Alliance CU

·       David Mercado, Spectra Credit Union

·       Liz Gilmore, Loyalty Credit Union

·       Ginny Heller, Kitsap CU

·       Hawk Ehnes, Velera Solutions, LLC

·       James Thomas, BECU

·       Jannifer Colon, Skyline Financial FCU

·       Jessica Garnes, Peak CU

·       John Guintu, Credit Union 1

·       Josh Farmer, Mountain CU

·       Katie Bredvik, Coteau Valley FCU

·       Kelly Yager, The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates

·       Leah Rinaldi, Belco Community Credit Union

·       Lori Cefus, SRP FCU

·       Lori Hudson, West Community CU

·       Lucy Ditzel, Atlantic FCU

·       Maria A. LaVelle, Pheple FCU

·       Mayuri Samala, Humanidei

·       Melinda Crosby, Suncoast CU

·       Miranda Ikeda, Hershey FCU

·       Nick Higbee, TruStage

·       Penny Haseker, Beacon Community CU

·       Rachel Rushe, St Tammany FCU

·       Renee Agostini, Coastal Credit Union

·       Sallie Ledbetter, Thrive FCU

·       Sarah Blackwell, Truliant FCU

·       Scott Day, SchoolsFirst FCU

·       Simone Beasley, Southwest Financial FCU

·       Terri Slosser, TruStage

·       Tony Wright, Advia Credit Union

·       Tye Reed, Farm Credit EFCU

·       Veronica Floyd, Spectra Credit Union
 
“DE Training was one of the best programs I’ve ever completed,” said Christopher Ortega, Chief Information Officer, LMCU. “Learning alongside professionals who share a deep commitment to the challenges facing our communities reinforced what the credit union movement stands for. The experience shifted my outlook and inspired how I will continue to make a difference." 
 
While DE classes are typically held at TruStage headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, the February 2026 class convened at Suncoast Credit Union in Tampa, Florida. During the week, participants visited Feeding Tampa Bay to volunteer, learn about real‑time community development challenges, and explore how credit unions can partner more deeply to meet local needs. The experience sparked ideas for meaningful impact and underscored the essential role community organizations—such as local food banks and pantries—play in supporting financial well‑being.
 
“This experience was about far more than a designation. It was about purpose—reconnecting with the roots of the credit union movement, the responsibility we hold as leaders, and the enduring promise of people helping people. Immersing myself in the history, the dialogue, and the challenge of CUDE was truly reinvigorating at this stage of my career,” wrote Maria LaVelle, CEO of Pheple FCU in a LinkedIn post.
 
The program was facilitated by Christopher Morris, DE Program Director at the Foundation and April Ales, Director, League Engagement at America’s Credit Unions, and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Meagan Barrett, Northern Colorado Credit Union; Pam Cohen, Affinity FCU; Gary Vien, Suncoast CU - Retired; Selina Sites, Partners FCU; James Hunter, New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union; and Linda Albrecht, TruStage. 
 
Interested in attending DE? 
Limited seats are still available in the 2026 Virtual DE program. To register, or for more information on the DE program, 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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