MADISON, Wis.–Sixteen credit union executives have been accepted to Filene i3, a program aimed at fostering the development of new ideas and innovations for credit unions.
Each i3 member serves a two-year term that kicks off at Filene’s big.bright.minds event in October at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Boasting more than 200 innovative concepts in its first decade, Filene reported that i3 has helped save consumers millions of dollars, brought new efficiency to credit unions and even changed a few laws, and said new i3ers will experience a greater emphasis on prototype testing and implementation following concept innovation.
“Constant innovation is critical for credit unions to meet the needs of today’s consumers,” said Andrew Downin, managing director of innovation for Filene. “Testing prototypes for desirability and scalability are equally critical steps in the innovation process. Added rigor around our new build cycle to allow further prototype testing will help ensure new innovations can be successfully implemented to solve the problems they were designed to address.”
Historically, Filene accepts less than 20% of the applicants into the program. Filene i3 members commit to ideating, building, and testing several innovation concepts, piloting two ideas in their credit unions, attending two national meetings per year, and participating in regular group work.
The new i3 members include:
- Michael Atkinson - G&F Financial Group, Vice President Wealth Management
- Amanda Basel - Christian Financial Credit Union, Deposit Operations Manager
- Nicole Bowen - Fairfax County Federal Credit Union, Vice President - Information Technology, Compliance, and Facilities
- David Cic - Westerra Credit Union, VP ERM & Compliance
- Lauren Culp - True North Federal Credit Union, Business Lending Associate
- Chris Cummins - Redwood Credit Union, Remote Delivery Manager
- Jeremy Daggs- Red Crown Federal Credit Union, VP of Marketing
- Tiffany Halfon - Smart Financial Credit Union, Director of Foundations
- Justin Kautz – PSCU, VP of Accounting and Finance
- Tara McQuillen - Discovery Federal Credit Union, Director of Marketing
- Michael Mikkelson - Educators Credit Union, Chief Information Officer
- Josh Sidell - Verity Credit Union, Sales Manager
- Gabe Ulloa - Kern Federal Credit Union, Marketing Specialist
- Melissa Vigil - Northwest Community Credit Union, Chief Administrative Officer
- Kelly Wagner-Grull - Credit Union of Colorado, Director of Operations
- Polina Yakusheva - Fitzsimons Federal Credit Union, VP Marketing & Business Development