MADISON, Wis.–Sixteen credit union executives have been accepted into Filene’s i3 program, which is designed to foster the development of new ideas and innovations for credit unions. Each Filene i3 member will serve a two-year term that kicks off this December at Harvard University.
“Credit unions face non-traditional competitors, disruptive technologies, and increasing demands from consumers,” said Andrew Downin, innovation director at Filene. “Our industry needs to challenge conventional thinking and processes in order to compete in today’s market and meet member demand. Filene i3 innovators are going to lead the way.”
Filene reported that historically less than 20% of applicants are accepted into the program. Filene i3 members commit to ideating, building, and testing several innovation concepts, piloting ideas in their credit union, attending two national meetings each year, and participating in regular group work, it said.
Filene added that Ideas developed in Filene i3 have gone on to change state laws, improve the financial lives of millions of consumers, and save countless millions of dollars for credit unions.
Accepted into the program were:
- Christopher Court, VP Accounting and Operations—Service 1st Federal Credit Union.
- Laura Eblen, AVP Awesomeness—Mazuma Credit Union.
- Mary Estes, EVP—First Commerce CU.
- Danielle Frawley, Chief Retail Officer—Fort Community Credit Union.
- Amy Fuller, Vice President, Communications & Marketing—Catalyst Corporate FCU.
- Ben Hering, Business Development Specialist—Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union.
- Ericka Hewitt, Senior Manager, Corporate Planning—Coastal Community Credit Union.
- Kyndle Huey, Director of Marketing—America's First Federal Credit Union.
- Rob Keatts, VP - Information Technology—Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.
- Brice Mindrum, Mobile Services Manager—America First Credit Union.
- Martin Reed, AVP, Marketing & Research—Central 1.
- Robbie Roberson, Director of Retail Operations Corporate--Oregon Community Credit Union.
- Steven Schmidle, SVP of Finance—Elevations Credit Union.
- Tobi Weingart, Organizational Development Manager—Educators Credit Union.
- Blake Woods, Innovation Catalyst—Lake Trust Credit Union.
- Gwen Yamamoto Lau, Senior Vice President & Chief Lending Officer—HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union.