MADISON, Wis. –The Filene Research Institute has selected 23 of the credit union industry's brightest minds into Wave 21 of the i3 program—an elite, two-year innovation leadership experience designed to develop the next generation of changemakers, Filene said.
Since its inception, Filene’s i3 program has equipped top credit union professionals with the mindset, tools, and network needed to drive meaningful innovation in the industry. The newest cohort will tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing credit unions today.
“Filene’s i3 program continues to be a beacon of innovation and leadership within the credit union industry. By equipping these talented professionals with the tools, mindset, and network to think forward and change lives, we are not only shaping the future of financial services but also ensuring that credit unions remain at the forefront of delivering exceptional value to their members,” said Filene’s President and CEO, Mark Meyer. “I am excited to see the transformative impact that Wave 21 will bring to our industry.”
Joining the ranks of over 380 credit union industry leaders already within the Filene i3 community are:
- Zamarr Allen, Bethpage Federal Credit Union
- Gabrielle Ayeni, Golden 1 Credit Union
- Carlos Campuzano, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
- Kathleen Cook, Velera
- Jeffrey Crofts, Westerra Credit Union
- Remie Cruz, Wright-Patt Credit Union
- Dustin Daniels, Loyalty Credit Union
- Stephanie Harney, Chartway Federal Credit Union
- Erik Hawkins, Redwood Credit Union
- Caitlin Hickman, University of Michigan Credit Union
- Mary Kenosian, Financial Plus Credit Union
- Ireen Latimer, Chartway Federal Credit Union
- Danijel Ljuna, Suncoast Credit Union
- Keili McEwen, Tinker Federal Credit Union
- Ryan Nong, Millennium Corporate Credit Union
- Chris Rogers, Origence
- Taurean Seib, Coastal Community
- Adam Sobeck, 4Front Credit Union
- Raegan Walker, Air Academy Credit Union
- Emily Walton, Royal Credit Union
- Jessica Watson, Bethpage Federal Credit Union
- Justin Webb, Commonwealth Credit Union
- Nick Whiting, Chartway Federal Credit Union
Through this cohort-based program, participants collaborate in cross-functional teams to explore and address some of credit unions’ biggest issues. By engaging the diverse perspectives of members, staff, stakeholders, and subject-matter experts to co-create new solutions, participants learn skills essential for facilitating innovation. Through the process of exploring and iterating new ideas to gain insight, reduce risk, and validate solutions, participants become experienced at accelerating learning. Finally, mobilizing people and resources to inspire action is practiced for leading change, Filene said.
The new i3 cohort begins a two-year development journey following Filene’s GAC Breakfast, and will present progress-to-date to the credit union industry at Filene’s big.bright.minds. in December.