MADISON, Wis.– The National Credit Union Foundation has named 52 leaders from across the United States as the next Credit Union Development Educators of 2026.
The group earned their designation after completing the Foundation’s signature Credit Union Development EducationTM (DE) program on June 5.
"Delivered as an immersive week-long, in-person experience, the DE program offers a transformative learning journey designed to strengthen leadership to improve financial well-being. Through collaborative group work, experiential learning, and interactive discussions, participants deepen their connection to the cooperative model while exploring how credit unions can create meaningful impact in their communities. Participants leave equipped with new perspectives, lasting relationships, and practical tools to help move the credit union mission forward," NCUF said.
This class joins a growing community of more than 3,400 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982.
“The DE program reminds us of the power of this movement and the leaders who continue to carry its mission forward,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Lauren Culp. “Participants come to DE with a passion for helping people and leave with expanded perspectives, lifelong connections, and new ways to bring financial well-being to life in their communities. Congratulations to this new class of DE graduates.”
The June DE graduating class included credit union leaders from across the United States:
- Alicia Fitts, Peach State FCU, (GA)
- Alma Garcia, GECU Federal Credit Union, (TX)
- Andrea Valois, WyHy FCU, (WY)
- Barbara Mojica, National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals, (TX)
- Brian Hewitt, FedEx Employees Credit Association, (TN)
- Brooke Stites, Curql Collective, (IA)
- Cali Draffkorn, Advia Credit Union, (MI)
- Candice Soto, United Community CU, (TX)
- Chad Peterson, North Star Community CU, (ND)
- Cindy Kapadia, First Alliance CU, (MN)
- Courtney Ricci, Royal Credit Union, (WI)
- Crystal Hegel, True North FCU, (AK)
- Danielle Martin, Altra FCU, (WI)
- Daryl Orupabo, Summit Credit Union, (WI)
- Diana Cruz, SchoolsFirst FCU, (CA)
- Doug O'Brien, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, (DC)
- Finn August, Cutting Edge FCU, (OR)
- Francesca Molano, Vizo Financial Corporate CU, (NC)
- Jaclyn Sullivan, Peoples Advantage FCU, (VA)
- Jake Dorsch, First Alliance CU, (MN)
- Jim Huff, FirstLight FCU, (TX)
- Jazmine Scott, Southern FCU, (TX)
- Jenn Kall, First Alliance CU, (MN)
- Jennifer Norr, TruStage, (WI)
- Jessica Walker, Wings Financial CU, (CO)
- Joan C. Geraghty, BECU, (WA)
- Jordan Purifoy, Loyalty Credit Union, (FL)
- Kevin Cummer, TruStage, (WI)
- Kiarra Herson, Limestone Financial Credit Union, (MI)
- Latrinda Bowie, HopeSouth Credit Union, (SC)
- Laura Boling, Johns Hopkins FCU, (MD)
- Marie Toscano, Educators Credit Union, (WI)
- Mark Kretzschmar, State Employees Credit Union, (NC)
- Michelle Shelton, Coastal Credit Union, (NC)
- MJ Thomas, America's Credit Unions, (WI)
- Nate Cape, Minnequa Works CU, (CO)
- Nicole Mozurkewich, Isabella Community Credit Union, (MI)
- Robyn Swanson, Ellafi CU, (CT)
- Sam Price, Peak CU, (WA)
- Sandra DeVoe Bland, SRP FCU, (SC)
- Sara Ryan, Unitus Community CU, (OR)
- Sarah Bjork, Sentry Credit Union, (WI)
- Shawn Ollis, Nusenda CU, (NM)
- Sheila Milton, UW Credit Union, (WI)
- Shelby Benson, CSE FCU, (LA)
- Stephanie Sharpe, SRP FCU, (SC)
- Stephanie Zarceño, Rivermark Community CU, (OR)
- Tanya Simpson, ORNL FCU, (TN)
- Tatiana Vazquez, Gesa Credit Union, (WA)
- Tim Vietto, Christian Financial Credit Union, (MI)
- Tracy Newsom, Community South Credit Union, (FL)
- Whitney Huston, Chartway FCU, (VA)
"While I gained valuable insights into the credit union movement, the biggest takeaway was a renewed appreciation for the impact we have on the lives of our members and communities every day," said Whitney Huston, VP Marketing at Chartway Federal Credit Union and June 2026 DE Graduate. "As a marketing leader, this experience reinforced my belief that our role is about more than promoting products and services, it’s about bringing the credit union difference to life through meaningful stories, authentic connections, and a shared commitment to financial well-being.""This DE class was hosted at TruStage headquarters in Madison, as part of the Foundation’s ongoing DE partnership with TruStage to help cultivate purpose-driven leadership across the credit union movement," NCUF said. "As part of the immersive experience, participants volunteered with WayForward Resources and The River Food Pantry, putting the credit union philosophy of people helping people into action through community service. The volunteer experience is an important reminder in the DE program that financial well-being is built not only through products and services, but through relationships, community partnership, and a shared commitment to supporting people through life’s challenges. By serving alongside local organizations focused on food security and stability, participants experienced how community engagement remains deeply connected to the mission and purpose of the credit union movement." “Every DE class becomes its own community, and this group was no exception,” said DE Program Director Christopher Morris. “Participants arrive as strangers and leave as part of a lifelong network of leaders who challenge, encourage, and inspire one another. Somewhere along the way, every class becomes convinced they’re the ‘best class ever’ and honestly, that shared connection and energy is part of what makes DE so special.”