MADISON, Wis.—The National Credit Union 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, NCUF stated.
“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,” NCUF said.
“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 the following credit union industry representatives:
- 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
Registration for the 2026 Virtual DE class is still available. To register, or for more information on future opportunities, visit ncuf.coop/development-education/program.