CUES Emerge 2025: Judges Named as Finalists Prepare for October Pitch Show

CUES and partner Currency Marketing have named a group of highly-respected credit union leaders to serve as judges for the 2025 CUES Emerge program, which culminates with a Pitch Show on October 1 at 1 p.m. CDT. The judges are:

• Mark Burgess, President/CEO, Credit Union 1 Alaska
• Mykol Fero, VP/Enterprise Planning & Program Delivery, TruStage
• Mirren Harris, CCD, VP of Education and Professional Development, Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA)
• James Hunter, CCM, CCE, Chief Advocacy and Culture Officer, New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union

 
CUES Emerge was developed by CUES and Currency Marketing to offer free leadership development opportunities to rising professionals across the credit union industry.

This year’s cohort of 36 participants engaged in a dynamic program that combined expert-led sessions on strategic thinking, communication, and design thinking with collaborative Mastermind sessions. These experiences guided participants as they built business cases for their credit unions.

Of the 36 participants, 34 advanced into the competition phase. From this group, Five Finalists were selected to compete in the live online Pitch Show.

During the Pitch Show, each Finalist will deliver a seven-minute presentation of their business case, followed by a three-minute Q&A moderated by judging panelist Fero.

Judges will evaluate each presentation based on clarity, articulation of the business idea, and the potential benefits to credit unions.

A Top Three will be named, with one participant ultimately earning the title of 2025 CUES Emerging Leader.

Visit CUESEmerge.com to check out the Five Finalists’ business case ideas and sign up for a day-of Pitch Show reminder.

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