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2025 Schedule at a Glace
Wednesday, February 12
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Credit Union Roundtable
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Emerging Leaders Workshop
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Visit with Vendors – Exhibit Hall
2:40 PM – 3:00 PM: Sprint Session
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Concurrent Sessions
3:45 PM – 5:15 PM: Visit with Vendors – Exhibit Hall
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM: General Reception
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Foundation Awards Gala Reception
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Foundation Awards Gala
Thursday, February 13
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Breakfast & Exhibit Hall
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM: Concurrent Sessions
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM: Visit with Vendors – Exhibit Hall
10:15 AM – 10:35 AM: Sprint Session
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: Concurrent Sessions
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM: CUxEL Protégé Competition Finals Luncheon
11:45 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch & Exhibit Hall
12:50 PM – 1:10 PM: Sprint Session
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Concurrent Sessions
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Concurrent Sessions
3:15 PM: CUxEL Protégé Winners Announcement & Grand Prize Raffle
3:30 PM: Show Concludes
Wednesday, February 12
10:00 am - 2:30 pm - Credit Union Roundtable
10:00am – 12:00pm
Succession Planning for Success
Credit union succession planning is more critical today than ever! As a minimum, new regulatory guidance requires credit unions to take a deeper dive into success at the bench level. But more importantly, succession challenges are growing due to rapidly aging leadership teams, the ability to attract new talent, increasing competition amongst our existing talent, and concerns over cultural continuity.
During this session, the focus will be on gaining clarity on the new succession planning requirements and strategic considerations for creating a culture that supports quality recruiting and development of internal talent.
Key takeaways from this session:
- Next steps for completing the NCUA succession plan document
- Ideas to strengthen culture and development of internal teams
- Best practices of credit unions that are building strong benches
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch Break
1:00pm – 2:30pm
The DNA of Thriving Small and Mid-Sized Credit Unions
At a time when many smaller credit unions are struggling to SURVIVE; just managing the day to day of running a credit union, keeping regulators satisfied, staying vigilant on cyber security and dealing with challenges that human resources can create – there is a long list of smaller credit unions that are THRIVING.
During this session, the focus will be on the DNA and three common traits shared amongst those thriving smaller credit unions that lead to consistent and profitable growth, sustainability, and impact.
Key takeaways from this session:
- Practical ideas that will lead to growth
- Strategic themes that will support long-term relevance.
- Best practices of credit unions that leverage their thriving DNA
Scott Butterfield, Your Credit Union Partner
2:30pm
Open Forum: CUs Under $100M Private Discussion
Our open forum is an opportunity for attendees to further discuss workshop topics, current challenges, and credit union best practices.
10:00 am - 2:30 pm - Emerging Leaders Workshop
10:00am – 12:30pm
Addressing and Resolving Conflict
This session, Addressing and Resolving Conflict, provides an overview of the various types of conflict, helps identify the root causes of conflict and equips participants with tools to help effectively resolve the issues at hand. The program will cover both internal conflict and how one’s values, beliefs and emotions impact its resolution, as well as external conflict and the challenges that interpersonal differences, communication breakdowns and situational factors create. Participants should leave with a clearer understanding of their own conflict style, practical strategies for managing internal and external conflicts and tools to foster the most positive conflict outcomes. Ideas for conflict prevention will also be shared.
Bill Nagle, AngleUp Consulting
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Lunch Break
1:30pm – 2:30pm
CEO PANEL: Breaking Barriers
Join our local CEOs for a candid, transparent conversation. This panel will feature Tabitha Allen, First Flight Federal Credit Union; Brian McKay, Spero Financial; and Jake Robinson, Champion Credit Union. Take a deep dive into the world of a CEO while we discuss leadership, values, career pathing, industry disruptors, and more. Come prepared to ask our panelists questions during the open discussion segment.
Tabitha Allen, First Flight Federal Credit Union, Brian McKay, Spero Financial , and Jake Robinson, Champion Credit Union
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Visit with Vendors – Exhibit Hall
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm - Sprint Session
Strategies to Support Members: Expand Your Funding Options for Specialty Vehicle Purchases
Join AppOne for a session on how your credit union can better support members throughout the specialty vehicle (including RV, marine, powersports, and more) indirect financing process. In this session, we’ll explore essential strategies to streamline indirect financing, from identifying and managing different types of collateral to simplifying the credit application process for a faster, more seamless experience. We’ll also address common gaps between dealers and lenders, and provide actionable insights on bridging these gaps to enhance member satisfaction and improve loan conversion rates. Whether you’re new to specialty vehicle lending or looking to optimize your existing processes, this session will equip you with the tools to fund your members’ functional and recreational needs.
Scot Rhodes, Business Development Manager, Lender Solutions, AppOne
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm - Concurrent Sessions
Cybersecurity and the Board of Directors
The NCUA has some clear expectations for the Board of Directors in regards to CyberSecurity at their Credit Unions. In this session we will go through some of the major points of that engagement. We will discuss the how’s and why’s the NCUA says that Boards should prioritize cybersecurity as a TOP oversight and governance responsibility alongside the financial soundness of the institution. We will then dive into four key areas that the Board needs to ensure are within the Information Security Program they oversee:
- Training
- Business Continuity and Resilience
- Operational Oversight
- Incident Response Planning
Steve Koinm, CISO, Co-Founder, Vice President, Professional Services, Pure IT
AI-Driven Lending: A Blueprint for Growth and Inclusivity in Credit Unions
By 2026, financial institutions that have adopted AI-driven lending for at least three years are projected to cut loan approval times by 70% and expand credit access by 50% over those using traditional methods.
This isn’t just a trend—it’s a pivotal moment for the industry. Credit unions now have a unique opportunity to lead by embracing AI, not as a tool, but as a catalyst for growth, smarter decisions, and more meaningful member engagement. AI’s power extends beyond efficiency; it enables credit unions to design lending experiences that are faster, fairer, and more tailored to each member’s needs.
Session Highlights
- Speed and Simplicity: Discover how AI cuts turnaround times and enables same-day approvals, reducing friction for members without sacrificing risk control.
- Proactive Member Engagement: Learn how AI can identify lending opportunities proactively, offering pre-approvals and personalized packages that resonate with members’ needs.
- Expanding Credit Access: Find out how alternative data and AI-driven insights help credit unions confidently extend credit to underserved or thin-file members, broadening financial inclusion.
- Personalized Digital Experience: Explore how data-driven insights empower credit unions to offer precisely tailored loan products that enhance the member’s digital journey.
- Transparency and Trust: Understand how explainable AI models help credit unions stay compliant while providing clear, understandable credit decisions that build trust.
This session will feature insights from industry leaders and credit union executives who have successfully leveraged AI to drive growth, deepen member relationships, and advance financial inclusion.
Rob McFarland, Chief Lending Officer, CPM Federal Credit Union
Kirill Skok, Client Engagement, Scienaptic AI
Linking Payments, Parenting, and Partnership: How to Engage and Attract Young Members.
Join Visa in a discussion on how credit unions can stand out to the youngest consumers by leveraging payments as a key differentiator. This session will explore innovative strategies, including partnerships with financial services organizations like Goalsetter, to unlock value and attract the next generation of members. Learn how existing members can become powerful channels for growth while staying true to the core value of financial literacy. Plus, get the latest insights from Visa on Gen Z preferences and trends.
Jorge E. Esteban, Vice President, Southeast Region, Community Financial Institutions, Visa
3:45 pm - 5:15 pm - Visit with Vendors – Exhibit Hall
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm - General Reception
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Foundation Awards Gala Reception
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Foundation Awards Gala
Thursday, February 13
7:30 am - 9:00 am - Breakfast & Exhibit Hall
9:00 am - 9:45 am - Concurrent Sessions
Elevating Member Experience: Technology Trends in Mortgage Servicing
Dive into the latest trends in mortgage servicing with a focus on enhancing the member experience through innovative technology. This session explores key topics that impact member satisfaction, from digital platforms that streamline communication to data-driven recapture solutions. We’ll discuss how advancements in technology are transforming the way servicers interact with members, improve transparency, and handle inquiries efficiently. Gain insights into the tools and strategies that leading servicers are using to meet rising member expectations and set new standards for mortgage servicing. This session is ideal for professionals aiming to leverage technology to build stronger, more responsive member relationships in the mortgage sector.
Anna Krogh, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc.
Strategy First
Driving institutional success requires the integration of strategies and tactics across departments and initiatives. When not aligned, activities can slow or derail goals from being met. The retail engagement plan must include integration with technology and online presence, branding and marketing, and facilities planning. This session will provide a roadmap for success through integration of planning of network optimization and coordination of the online and in-person member experience.
Glenn Grau, Executive Vice President, PWCampbell
Emerging Risk Outlook
Keeping ahead of the complex array of ever-changing risks, compliance issues, and industry regulations that are impacting credit unions requires keen awareness, effective preparation, and loss control scrutiny. When risk management is effective, typically nothing bad happens. But, if you’re blindsided by a problem, your credit union reputation takes the hit. Don’t let not knowing which emerging risks are around the corner take the blame. While each credit union has its own unique risk footprint, this Emerging Risks Outlook introduces risks and trends that should be on your radar.
Joni Lovingood, Corporate Property & Casualty Consultant, TruStage
9:45 am - 10:45 am - Visit with Vendors – Exhibit Hall
10:15 am - 10:35 am - Sprint Session
Deposit Funding – Raisin Helps Level the Playing Field for Credit Unions Across the U.S.
This session, hosted by Raisin US CEO Cetin Duransoy, will delve into how credit unions can leverage Raisin to raise member or non-member deposits. With no IT integration required; Raisin provides the full deposit value chain (marketing, KYC/AML, account opening, fraud, customer service, etc.) and offers a turnkey, digital solution for raising retail deposit funding.
Cetin Duransoy, CEO, Raisin US
10:45 am - 11:30 am - Concurrent Sessions
Next Gen Digital Lending
- Improved Digital Origination with AI Chatbots and engaging workflows
- Chatbot with core connectivity
- Conversational workflows during online application
- Supplying the demand for omnichannel loan origination
- One-Stop-Shop for origination and ancillary product sales
- Automate manual tasks via a workflow approach combined with decisioning
- Online flows pushing seamlessly into the LOS
- Automated Loan Processing
- Predictive Analytics and Algorithmic Based Lending Decisions
Jesse Fruge, Vice President of Product Management, Algebrik AI
Hot Topics in Business Services
Not Making Commercial Loans? Not Taking Business Deposits? Need to Offset Consumer Loan Runoff? The bad news is you’re not alone. Want to diversify risk and grow membership and diversify income? This session will explore ways to start a business services platform to drive a safe and sound loan portfolio while growing business deposits and non-interest income through several collaborative initiatives designed to expand the services offered to your members and communities. We’ll also talk about the hottest topics in commercial lending: Post election economy, regulators, pitfalls and risks to avoid. All to ensure you have a high-quality low risk loan portfolio.
Mark Cox, President & CEO, Innovative Business Solutions
Navigating the Battlefield of Capital Allocation
Dave Richter, Vice President, revisits last year’s LAUNCH discussion where we focused on rising rates and the impact to cost of funds, earnings, and net worth. While today’s environment is entirely different, we’ll again attempt to focus on a framework to remove the “noise” and uncertainty of the market. How do we gain clarity on strategy for our members while so much is unknown? During our time, we will apply a different lens to today’s market in order to gain a better understanding of what this all means for future “capital” allocations.
Dave Richter, Vice President, Performance Trust
11:30 am - 1:30 pm - CUxEL Protégé Competition Finals Luncheon
Witness the 2025 CUxEL Protégé Competition Finals as top finalists from North and South Carolina vie for the title. The winner and two runners-up will receive scholarships from the Carolinas Credit Union League.
11:45 am - 1:30 pm - Lunch & Exhibit Hall
12:50 pm - 1:10 pm - Sprint Session
Innovative Document Solutions
BDI delivers effective document solutions tailored to the financial industry, meeting the demands of today’s fast-paced print and digital environments. Discover how our TRUE-Responsive HTML5 mobile eDocuments set us apart by providing eDocuments that seamlessly fit your members’ mobile lifestyles. Join us for a demonstration showcasing how BDI’s innovative strategies can transform your print and eStatements.
Todd Holtzman, Director of Business Development, BDI
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm - Concurrent Sessions
Activating Your Branch: Unveiling the six secrets to successful branch design
A successful branch embeds your members directly into your organization’s story. Do your current branches have this meaningful impact on your members? An activated branch is essential for attracting new members, engaging your current ones with your brand, serving the community, and bringing your credit union a positive ROI. Design plays a crucial role in this success by telling your story and creating an inviting atmosphere where members and staff come together. It can also help bridge the multigenerational gap by offering a tailored member experience to meet each member’s specific needs. After years of leading the evolution of branch design to align with banking trends, we are unveiling six secrets to successful branch design in today’s market.
Jared Monce, Architect, Financial Market Leader, Design Collaborative
Financial Inclusion – Importance of Meeting Your Members Where They Are
While the cost of living continues to rise, wages for many workers have not kept up, leading to financial strain for lower- and middle-income households. A large portion of Americans do not have enough savings to cover unexpected expenses, leading to financial stress in the event of job loss, medical emergencies, or other crises.
In addition, the modern credit scoring system dates back decades and does not consider other factors in making credit decisions, such as the member relationship with the credit union. The current credit scoring system is still evolving; however, it currently puts those members that are credit invisible or have credit thin files at a disadvantage.
In this session learn the importance of considering your member relationships in making credit decisions and how this might expand your lending solutions to be more inclusive and support your members’ financial health. Meet your members where they are when needs arise, and they do not qualify for traditional lending.
Kristin Roche, QCash Financial
Boost Manager Productivity by 25% by Eliminating Your Reliance on Tribal Knowledge
Do managers, directors, and VPs spend their time answering the same employee questions and fixing the same mistakes? It’s time to modernize how your credit union transfers knowledge from those who know to those who do.
In this session, Greg DeVore will outline a proven framework for eliminating tribal knowledge, growing employee independence, and freeing up managers’ time to focus on what moves your credit union forward.
Greg DeVore, CEO & Co-founder, Screensteps
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm - Concurrent Sessions
Winning Member Business Lending in 2025
Member business lending is like playing a high-stakes game at times. There is always an element of luck (especially with changes in the economy and regulations), but you can make sure the dice rolls in your favor and not send you back to “Go.” Managing credit risk in your portfolio? That game requires a steady hand, and one bad loan can make it all wobble. And how do you leverage technology as your secret weapon —play it right, and you’ll dominate. In this session we will discuss:
- Key areas for creating more opportunities with technology.
- Enhancements in decision making to have greater accuracy and efficiency.
- Strategies to manage risk long after the loan closing.
Like any game, if you know the rules and plan ahead, you can outsmart the banks and fintechs, and claim victory!
Mike Horrocks, Senior Vice President – Corporate Strategy & Product Marketing, Baker Hill
Ensuring Future Success: Succession Planning and Talent Development
Learn the critical processes of succession planning and talent development designed to safeguard the future of your credit union. In this session, we will explore effective strategies to identify and nurture top-performing employees, ensuring their engagement and retention. Learn how to build a resilient leadership pipeline, address potential talent gaps, and create a culture of continuous growth and development. This presentation will equip you with the tools and knowledge to protect your organization and capitalize on the strengths of your workforce, driving long-term success.
Paul Marston, Chief Operating Officer, HR Performance Solutions
Change Your Cybersecurity Practices to Better Protect Members and Improve Operational Efficiency
Protecting your credit union and members from cyber threats is becoming increasingly difficult. A single breach can cost millions, while damaging the reputation and trust you’ve worked so hard to build over years. In this session, you’ll learn how progressive credit unions are applying risk management disciplines to their cyber practices. The benefits include operational efficiency with less time spent on mandatory compliance work, more time on the value-added work to better secure your institution, and improved alignment across functions and levels, including the Board. You can transform information security from a cost center to a function that contributes to better business performance.
William Wetherill, Chief Information Security Officer, DefenseStorm