LAS VEGAS–Two credit union employees came to Las Vegas and walked away $10,000 richer.
But in this case it wasn’t casino winnings. Instead, Talia Sanchez and Emily Sobolewski of SCE FCU, both digital and data marketing professionals, won first place in “The Pitch” competition held as part of the California and Nevada CU Leagues’ REACH Conference here.
This is the second year the leagues have hosted the competition, in which contestants from four credit unions pitched their “mission-driven ideas” to a panel of judges in front of a live audience. Champion contestants also included Royce Ngiam, vice president of sponsor and community relations for Financial Partners CU; Priscilla Delphin, marketing and business manager for Chaffey FCU), and Doron Noyman, vice president of sales and development for KeyPoint CU.
Sanchez and Sobolewski unanimously won votes from all four judges (100%), as well as a majority of the live-audience’s vote (58%).
“They will use the $10,000 check awarded on stage by Leagues President and CEO Diana Dykstra to boost Revenue, a fledgling women’s entrepreneurial workshop and professional mentorship network for ‘underrepresented’ females in the small business world, addressing issues such as funding, capital, tools, leadership support, and banking resources,” according to the leagues.
About the Organization
Revenue’s goal is to develop 50 women entrepreneurs in its first year before replicating this prototype as a “fun, unique, philanthropic model for other credit unions to be involved in across California, Nevada, and the nation.” The $10,000 will go toward equipment, mentor speakers, workshop materials, and resources.
“By supporting us, you are investing in the economic empowerment of women,” Sobolewski said. “When you invest in Revenue, you invest in women.”
The Judges
Judges for The Pitch including Mike de Vere, CEO of Zest AI; Tony Boutelle, CEO of Origence; Gigi Hyland, executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation, and Dean Michaels, CEO of Co-op Solutions.
“Each judge had critical questions, constructive comments, and positive responses as they dissected each pitch, just like a live-reality TV show,” the leagues stated.
As the leagues explained, in the months leading into this unique and inspirational on-stage production, credit unions small, medium and large were asked to encourage dedicated credit union movement employees to submit their “pitches.” All submissions were reviewed to pick the top contestants who would travel to REACH to make their case, including Ngiam (Girls in STEMclubs), Delphin (Financial Fitness—Playing the Game of Money curriculum workshops/network), and Noyman (Economic Empowerment Impact for local nonprofits).
‘Unique Ideas’
“Pitches consisted of contestants’ unique ideas for making a meaningful impact on credit unions, credit union members, or their communities,” the leagues noted. “They were about building stronger communities and changing peoples’ lives for the better through financial education, wellness, social responsibility, mentorship, or diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Pre-Pitch Videos Submitted
Applicants submitted pre-pitch videos with their submission form, summarizing why they should be selected to be on the main stage during REACH.
“While all four pitch presentations served as an invaluable experience for REACH attendees, each stakeholder respected each other’s ideas and comments as they sought to encourage the audience in front of them,” the leagues said.
Besides Sanchez and Sobolewski, the initiatives presented by the other champions (Ngiam, Delphin, and Noyman) each received $1,000 personally from Dykstra for being involved in such a unique community impact effort.
“All of you were fabulous,” Dykstra said. “Not everyone can be winners, but you all did fantastic — and we look forward to the great things you all will accomplish.”
Also At REACH
Other events held as part of the REACH Conference included:
- Local high school students got a “Bite of Reality” when they attended an interactive financial education simulation designed to teach them how to manage money in the morning hours before the event.
- The Bite of Reality was offered by the Richard Myles Johnson (RMJ) Foundation, the state foundation for credit unions in California and Nevada. It aimed to teach young people the basics of finance by having them take a “real world” test drive, complete with a job, money, and the freedom to make their own financial decisions.
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- “Throughout the event, the students dealt with pushy salespeople portrayed by volunteers from various credit unions,” the leagues said. “When some overspent, those staffing the ‘credit union’ station provided much-needed assistance.
- The Bite of Reality app is now being used in 25 states across the nation.
- Credit union leaders and financial education supporters attended the 2023 Richard Myles Johnson Foundation (RMJ) Donor Appreciation Gala presented by PSCU and held at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas.
“This year’s Donor Appreciation Gala gives us the opportunity to thank all of our 2023 donors and share with them the successes the foundation experienced this past year because of their support,” said Tena Lozano, executive director of the foundation. “I want to thank you all for your support. We could not accomplish our mission without you.”
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