NATIONAL CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION CERTIFIES 40 LEADERS AS DEVELOPMENT EDUCATORS

December 15th, 2025 Jasmine Mines Credit Union News, National 0 comments

Energizing virtual DE class equips leaders to champion financial well-being in credit unions nationwide

MADISON, WI – The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) certified 40 credit union leaders as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) program in the year’s only virtual class.

The 2025 virtual DE class, delivered over four weeks, offers a unique opportunity for those who might not otherwise be able to participate—an innovative and connected alternative to the program’s traditional week-long, in-person experience.

The DE program provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. Participants engage in interactive speaker sessions and collaborative group exercises designed to deepen understanding of the credit union difference, emotional intelligence, and the importance of advancing financial well-being. This class joins the more than 3,300 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the United States DE program since its launch in 1982.

“Congratulations to the newest 40 members of the DE family! For 43 years, the Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education program has served as a source of unstoppable energy to drive the powerful mission of the credit union movement ever forward,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Lauren Culp. “Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how credit unions are uniquely positioned to build a world where everyone can achieve financial well-being.”

The 2025 Virtual DE graduating class included credit union industry representatives from coast to coast:

Aimee Morin, Cooperative Credit Union Association
Amanda Powell, Finger Lakes Health Care FCU
Amber Pippin, First Family FCU
Amy Flahaut, Peak CU
Anton Bossio, Alloya Corporate FCU
Catalina Hess, Upward CU
Courtney Penix, Bridge CU
Danielle Caro, Ent CU
David Baldwin, San Antonio Citizens FCU
David Inglish, Kitsap CU
Deiredra Oliver, Visions FCU
Dennis Weiskircher, Members Heritage CU
Emiliano Salas, Meridian Trust FCU
Erika Sylvester, Clearwater CU
Esmeralda Molina, Altra FCU
Hali Hagist, Alive CU
Hunter Hurst, Simplicity CU
Jennifer Lopez Kouchis, ORNL FCU
Jenni Roberts, O Bee CU
Jodi McNamara, United Teletech Financial FCU
Kayla Kuriger, Vizo Financial Corporate CU
Kelsey Mahone, Midsouth Community FCU
Kenneth R. Hefner, Frontwave CU
Kimberly Byrne, Blackhawk Community CU
Kirsten Wallace, Altra FCU
Kristin Moras, Credit Human
Laura Smith, Idaho Central CU
Leigh Warwick, State Employees’ CU
Linda Lafortune, CUInsight
Mallory Hazard, ELGA CU
Mandy Lee, Verity CU
Martha Shine, Park Manor Christian Church CU
Matt Murray, Corporate One FCU
Megan Temple, O Bee CU
Sean McEwen, Solarity CU
Stephanie Santillanes, Sunward FCU
Tanya Lee, HawaiiUSA FCU
Taylor Henderson, Carolina Foothills FCU
Willow Oelke, Wauna FCU
Yuka Suzuki, SchoolsFirst FCU

“I learned young why advocacy matters. The individuals who stood with me and for me helped shape the person I became, and DE reminded me how meaningful and life-changing our work in the credit union world can be,” said Willow Oelke, Virtual DE graduate and AVP of Community Engagement at Wauna Credit Union. “It affirmed my calling to serve with compassion and hope and to live the credit union difference, where people helping people becomes a lifeline and even one act of support can strengthen an entire community.”

The program was facilitated by the Foundation’s DE Program Director, Christopher Morris and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Jeanne Heath, Vizo Financial Corporate CU, Jamie Chilewski, Simplicity CU, and Laura Eblen, Mazuma CU.

Interested in attending DE?

Registration for the 2026 Virtual DE class is still available! To register, or for more information on future opportunities, please visit ncuf.coop/development-education/program. To be added to the notification list to receive DE updates directly to your inbox, please contact cude@ncuf.coop.

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About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop)

The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) is the charitable arm of the U.S. credit union movement and exists to improve financial well-being with and through credit unions. Through innovations, grants and programs, the Foundation is strengthening financial well-being, energizing purpose, instilling knowledge about the credit union difference, and uniting resources to help credit union people during disaster. Donations to the Foundation ultimately enable credit unions to help their members reach life-changing goals and achieve financial freedom.