2023 speakers are being identified. See below for who spoke at the 2022 conference.
Allen Bach Allen Bach
Advisory Manager
Abrigo
Alongside the Abrigo Advisory team, Allen Bach utilizes his knowledge of ALLL, CECL preparation, acquisition accounting, and data analysis to provide Financial Institutions with solutions to the ever-evolving regulatory environment. Prior to joining Abrigo, Allen worked in public accounting, focusing on assurance, compliance, and consulting engagements for Financial Institutions. Allen earned his bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and his MBA from Towson University.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Danny Baker Danny Baker
Vice President of Market Strategy
Fiserv
Danny Baker is the Vice President of Market Strategy within the Financial & Risk Management Solutions (FRMS) division at Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV). He is responsible for the overall market strategy and business development for the company’s enterprise performance management, financial planning and analysis, financial risk management and accounting solutions. During his 40 years in the financial services field, he has gained expertise in all facets of financial services technology, including key disciplines such as data analytics and decisioning, business intelligence and integrated strategic risk management. Additionally, he has served in leadership positions of multiple industry organizations and has been recognized as a high-performing banker. He is a frequent presenter, author, blogger and consultant for financial industry conferences, associations, trade publications and analysts.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
John Biestman John Biestman
Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
Federal Home Loan Bank System
John Biestman joined the Federal Home Loan Bank System in 2003 and is currently a vice president, senior relationship manager who works primarily with financial institutions in the western region. John is a highly regarded financial strategist, speaker, and writer as well as the host of the FHLB Des Moines "The Insider" and "On the Record podcasts".
John has 42 years of national and international financial experience, including leadership positions at Barclays Capital, First Interstate Bank and Dean Witter Reynolds. He holds a Master’s in business administration from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University and a Bachelor’s in political science and economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. John is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Lamont Black Lamont Black
Professor
DePaul
Professor Lamont Black is a recognized expert on cryptocurrency and blockchain who is a regularly invited speaker for conferences, board presentations, and the media. His teaching on cryptocurrency at DePaul covers aspects of money and investing and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune. In his graduate course on blockchain, he works with business and computer science students to build real-world blockchain applications. Dr. Black also teaches courses on money, banking, financial markets, and data analytics.
Prior to joining DePaul, Professor Black was an economist at the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C., where he focused on bank regulation. He served at the Board of Governors from 2005 to 2013, primarily under Chairman Ben Bernanke during the financial crisis. Dr. Black received a PhD in Finance as well as Economics from Indiana University and his undergraduate degree from Stanford University. Please visit his personal website https://lamontblack.com for additional information about his research, teaching, and speaking.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Cullen Coxe Cullen Coxe
Senior Director
ALM First Financial Advisors
Cullen Coxe joined ALM First Financial Advisors in 2003. As a Senior Director for the firm, he works with clients to develop successful balance sheet strategies and enhance their overall performance. This includes working closely with clients to develop long-term, holistic partnerships and interpreting full balance sheet risk analytics and risk positioning to determine the best opportunities for clients to achieve their financial goals.
Cullen coordinates internal collaboration to deliver analytics and timely reporting to assist clients throughout the entire process from strategy development through implementation and post-execution analysis. He provides advice and insights on loan pricing, loan transactions, investment portfolio management, funding strategies, hedging and more with the assistance of our experienced team. Cullen has a bachelor’s degree in business with a major in economics from the University of Oklahoma.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Jim Craven Jim Craven
Vice President & Senior Consultant
McQueen Financial Advisors
Jim Craven is Vice President & Senior Consultant with McQueen Financial Advisors. As a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience, Jim is known for his deep knowledge of financial modeling, regulatory guidance and challenges facing our industry. In his current role, Jim is part of a team responsible for the company’s continuous improvement and expansion efforts. He is a regular conference speaker on a variety of topics and writes monthly industry-specific commentary. Also, Jim consults with clients on risk mitigation strategies, valuations, policy development, ALM validations, and regulatory topics. In his previous role at McQueen, Jim developed several models which monitor interest rate risk, establish value, calculate CECL allowance, and monitor investment holdings.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Christopher Dahlgren Christopher Dahlgren
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Stiffel
Christopher Dahlgren is a Director of Regulatory Affairs at Stifel, providing a wide range of consultation, policy development and examination support services to credit unions. He is a former Principal Examiner for the National Credit Union Administration, where he managed two districts of federally and state-chartered credit unions. Christopher was recognized by the NCUA for developing a credit analytics model used by examiners, and he was named an Examiner of the Year in 2013. He frequently shares insight on regulatory issues at industry conferences, seminars, and webinars.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Sam Das Sam Das
Managing Director
CMFG Ventures
Sam Das serves as Managing Director of CMFG Ventures, the venture capital arm of CUNA Mutual Group. He joined in 2017 and has focused on sourcing, investing and advising early-stage fintech and insurtech startups. Prior to joining CMFG Ventures, Sam founded a fintech startup and was an investment banker focused on financial institutions at firms including Houlihan Lokey and Fox-Pitt, Kelton where he completed transactions valued in excess of $10 billion.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Pablo DeFilippi Pablo DeFilippi
Executive VP
Inclusiv Credit Union Network
Pablo DeFilippi is currently Executive VP at the Inclusiv Credit Union Network, a national, nonprofit association of over 400 credit unions and CDFI intermediary that represents supports and invests in credit unions serving predominantly low-income, financially underserved communities.
DeFilippi has more than 25 years of experience in community finance and financial inclusion working with regulated financial institutions both in the domestic and international arena. Throughout his career, DeFilippi has implemented, promoted, or scaled several important initiatives aimed to expanding access to affordable, responsible, and sustainable solutions to the financial needs of low and moderate-income consumers.
Originally from Chile, DeFilippi has devoted his career to promoting financial inclusion and the economic revitalization of financially underserved communities, first as CEO of the Lower East Side People’s FCU (LESPFCU) an iconic and nationally recognized community development credit union serving Hispanics and other financially underserved populations in the New York City area, and later managing the World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU)’s International Remittance Program (IRnet), a world- wide initiative to provide alternative remittance services to consumers both in the US and in recipient countries through the credit union system.
Mr. DeFilippi has been the recipient of numerous industry recognitions. Most recently he received the President’s Award from the Asociación de Ejecutivos de Cooperativas de Puerto Rico and the DEI Trailblazer Award from the African American Credit Union Coalition.
Mr. DeFilippi speaks regularly at credit union industry events and is a recognized subject matter expert in community development, financial inclusion, and DEI. He’s often interviewed by the credit union trade press and general media and has contributed to several research studies.
Mr. DeFilippi is based in Madison, WI, where he also acts as a liaison with CUNA, CUNA Mutual Group, CUES, Filene, and other credit union organizations. DeFilippi holds a B.A. in Social Studies from Universidad de Chile, as well as a Professional Accounting Certificates from Baruch College and New York University. He has a Master of Business Administration from Pace University and is a graduate of CUNA’s Management School and NCUF’s Social Impact Management Institute. He is also a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), class of 2006 and a UK Credit Union Development Educator, class of 2008. He’s currently pursuing a DE&I Certificate from Cornell University.
DeFilippi is married to Marisol, a schoolteacher and has two daughters: Sarah (20) and Bianca (18).
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Mike Dixson Mike Dixson
Partner
Financial Management Services Inc
Mike Dixson has more than 30 years industry experience working as a regulator with the Federal Reserve and Comptroller of the Currency. For the past 25 years he has worked exclusively in investment portfolio and asset-liability management as a credit union investment officer, as well as working for broker dealer and investment advisory firms. Mike has been a Partner with FMSI - Investment and Balance Sheet Advisors, since 2014. He holds a degree in Finance from the University of Oklahoma.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Timothy Gardner Timothy Gardner
EVP/CFO
CDC FCU
Currently – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, CDC Federal Credit Union in Atlanta, Georgia with over $300M in assets and approximately 20,000 members.
Previously --- Tim was a Sales Executive at CUNA Mutual Group that covered Georgia and South Carolina, serving 40 credit unions.
During his time at CUNA Mutual Group, he was also the General Manager for Sales and Distribution in the European Segment of CUNA Mutual’s International Division. Tim lead the sales account teams in Europe, managed the Financial Services Programs, as well as third party relationships while based in Dublin, Ireland.
Prior to joining CUNA Mutual, Tim was the Financial Analyst for Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for the investment portfolio and preparation of the monthly financial statements. Earlier, Tim was an investment analyst at Merrill Lynch while attending college.
Tim attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree in Finance, Upper Iowa University for a Bachelor in Accounting, has received an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago, and his Masters of Accountancy from the University of Michigan.
CDC Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and provides financial services to its members.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Justin Glazman Justin Glazman
Shareholder
Doeren Mayhew
Justin Glazman is a Shareholder at Doeren Mayhew in the firm’s Financial Institutions Group. More than 19 years of experience in auditing credit unions and credit union service organizations (CUSOs) drives his ability to assist clients with their risk-based assurance needs. Well abreast of every aspect of completing successful audit, Supervisory Committee audit and agreed upon procedure engagements, Justin leads and mentors audit staff, ensuring unparalleled risk management services are delivered to clients.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Michelle Grabicki Michelle Grabicki
CEO & Founder
Luminous Leadership Group
Michelle is CEO and founder of Luminous Leadership Group. a consulting company designed to illuminate the human potential within an organization. Michelle has credit union roots, with more than 25 years in leadership and more than a decade at the executive level. Michelle experienced firsthand the extraordinary success a company experiences when employees feel cared for, invested in, and developed to be the best version of themselves in everything they do. Through executive coaching and leadership development, Michelle helps individuals and companies discover and reach their highest potential.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Jeff Hamilton Jeff Hamilton
VP, Member Credit
Catalyst Corporate
Since 2012, Jeff Hamilton oversees the lending activities with Catalyst Corporate member credit unions, and the corporate’s loan participation program. Prior to joining Catalyst, Jeff worked at Western Corporate Federal Credit Union for 13 years where he was also vice president of member lending and oversaw their successful loan participation program. He also held positions in portfolio management and established the corporate’s ALM Consulting Service, The Financial Solutions Group.
Before working in credit unions, Jeff served as the chief investment officer for the Texas State Treasury, as vice president of investments for a Midwest bank, and was a founder/principal of a full-service real estate practice that focused on representation of buyers. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in business administration from Texas State University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has his FINRA Series 7 license.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Bill Handel Bill Handel
Chief Economist & General Manager
Raddon
Bill Handel has worked in the financial services industry since the 1980s, in the areas of consumer and small business research, member analytics, economic and financial analysis and thought leadership. The Raddon Group, which Bill leads, is noted for its strategic insights and innovative solutions for large and small financial service providers. Since joining Raddon in 1990, he has created, developed, and managed unique programs to assist financial institutions in the effective management of their organizations, including performance analytics, relationship survey, market analytics, and channel and card analytics. Bill is responsible for all Research, Analytics and Software programs at Raddon.
Bill is a highly regarded industry speaker and works with boards of directors and senior management teams at financial service firms and speaks at major industry conferences. He has written several books for the financial services industry. Bill is a frequent contributor to the Raddon Report, an online industry blog.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Jeff Henderson Jeff Henderson
Inspiring Celebrity Chef
Food Network TV Star & Bestselling Author
Jeff Henderson grew up on the tough streets of Central Los Angeles and San Diego. As a child, he went to school so he could get something to eat. By age 19, he was running a drug operation; at 24 he was sentenced to prison. It was during his incarceration that he discovered a passion for cooking and committed himself to turning his life around. Today, Chef Jeff Henderson is an award-winning chef, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author and Food Network television personality. His passion for cooking is equaled by his passionate support of feeding programs and nationwide food banks. With his inspirational message, he captivates audiences across the country with his triumphant story of change and the power of potential.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Rodney Hood Rodney Hood
Former Chairman
National Credit Union Administration
Rodney E. Hood is the immediate past Chairman and current Board Member of the National Credit Union Administration. When Rodney was named NCUA's 11th Chairman in 2019, he was the first Black American to ever lead a banking regulatory agency. As Chairman, he prioritized financial inclusion and wholeness, which he has called the civil rights issue of our time.
As a Board Member, Rodney serves as the NCUA’s representative on the Board of Directors of NeighborWorks America, one of the nation’s leading affordable housing and community development organizations. Prior to rejoining the NCUA Board, he served as a corporate responsibility manager for JPMorgan Chase. His previous experience includes serving as associate administrator of the Rural Housing Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Rodney holds a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Rob Johnson Rob Johnson
President
c. myers
Rob, President and one of five c. myers owners, has been instrumental in delivering on the vision of enabling leadership teams to have relevant and reliable financial decision-information at their fingertips, so that they can accelerate their strategic impact in providing value to their markets.
Clients find the speed of the decision-information, whether at the enterprise level or drilling into what is driving profitability at a category level, combined with Rob’s quick mind and critical thinking, to be invaluable.
While Rob is a familiar face to the senior leadership teams and boards of many large financial institutions, he has helped institutions of all sizes tackle some of their toughest challenges while staying focused on desired strategic outcomes.
When working with clients, Rob digs into their data and business intelligence to help them find opportunities for sustainable revenue streams and to reposition their business models so that the organization can continue to offer compelling value propositions to their target markets.
Rob is also a sought-after, highly-energetic industry speaker. Whether in front of an audience of dozens or over a thousand, he relishes taking complex, dry subjects and turning the material into a presentation that people really enjoy.
Nourish Phoenix, a local food and clothing bank for the working poor, benefits from Rob’s competitive spirit during donation drives, as he believes each drive should be more successful than the last. In his free time, Rob and his family love spending time at their mountain cabin where they enjoy their horses, 4x4s, paintball guns, and skiing in the winter
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Brian Kelbley Brian Kelbley
VP of Finance and Business Services
Sun Federal Credit Union
Brian Kelbley is VP of Finance and Business Services for Sun Federal Credit Union serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the ALCO. Sun Federal has historically operated with higher balance sheet sensitivity to interest rate risk than their peers which has necessitated a robust ALM program and ALCO process. Prior to Sun Federal, Brian worked for an investment advisory firm, consulting on and analyzing interest rate risk for credit unions.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Stephen LaBarbera, CPA Stephen LaBarbera, CPA
Senior Manager
Doeren Mayhew - Financial Institutions Group
For 11 years, Stephen has provided audit and assurance services to credit unions and credit union service organizations. Leveraging his knowledge and expertise, built by leading opinion audits, as well as, by performing internal audit services for credit unions. Stephen serves as a year-round trusted advisor to many credit union clients.
Called on for his expertise by national, regional, and local technical and industry related associations. Stephen is a recognized speaker and author on a variety of credit union related topics.
Stephen has a knack for interpreting and advising his clients on critical accounting standard updates. Serving as a leader in Doeren Mayhew’s internal education programs, including the firm’s Audit and Accounting Committee, Stephen provides educational training to clients and co-workers alike on a wide range of accounting and auditing topics.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Brent Lytle Brent Lytle
Director
ALM First
Brent Lytle joined ALM First in 2021. As a Director, he partners with clients to develop successful balance sheet strategies. Supported by our experienced team, he interprets full balance sheet risk analytics & risk positioning to determine the best opportunities for each client to achieve their financial goals, providing advice and insights on loan pricing, loan transactions, investment portfolio management, funding strategies, hedging and more.
Prior to joining ALM First, Brent spent nearly a decade with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He initially served as a Bank Examiner before becoming a Capital Markets Specialist and being promoted to Manager, Surveillance & Risk Analytics (SRA). As SRA Manager, Brent was responsible for overseeing a team of experienced risk specialists and routinely collaborated with the Bank’s senior management, key stakeholders at the Board of Governors, and across the Federal Reserve system in support of risk and surveillance supervisory activities.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Charley McQueen Charley McQueen
President & CEO
McQueen Financial Advisors
McQueen Financial Advisors, Inc. was founded by Charley in 1999 to provide specialized investment and consulting services to financial institutions. Today, his company advises clients throughout the United States and manages investment portfolios with a combined value in excess of $12.5 billion. With over 25 years of experience, Charley oversees McQueen Financial Advisors core services of Investment Portfolio Management, Asset/Liability Management, and Valuations & Advisory Services. A frequent speaker at financial institution conferences, Charley has provided board of director’s education and training on a variety of topics. Additionally, he regularly provides training for bank and credit union examiners and certified public accountants.
Charley is a graduate of Western Michigan University, with a BBA in Management.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Paul Meissner Paul Meissner
CFO
Credit Union of America
Paul Meissner is the CFO at CU of America, 1991-Present, growth from ~ $85 million to $1.3 billion assets. He developed IT initiatives & projects, project management, product & branch profitability, loan & deposit pricing, capital needs analysis. Paul is over compliance, financial analytics, and internal audit. He has been a strong and appreciative supporter of the CUNA CFO/Finance Council. He is retiring June 2022 after 47 years in credit unions.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Christine Messer Christine Messer
SVP of Finance
Heritage Family Federal Credit Union
Rutland, VT
Christine Messer joined Heritage Family Credit Union in 2012, with more than 10 years of accounting and management experience. She works with the CFO for all accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning, and liquidity functions at HFCU. Christine, previously, was an audit supervisor at a local accounting firm and an adjunct accounting professor with Castleton University. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus of accounting from Castleton University, a master’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University, and is an active Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Vermont. She is involved in the credit union industry as a member of the Executive Committee and the chair of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Finance Council Conference Planning Committee.
Email: christine.messer@hfcuvt.com
Tracy Montez Tracy Montez
Senior Vice President – Controller
Texans Credit Union
Tracy Montez is the Senior Vice President – Controller for Texans Credit Union. In her 20 + years with the credit union, Tracy has served in various roles in the Audit, Accounting and Finance departments. She provides an extensive knowledge of finance and financial institutions and has been an essential component of safeguarding the institution’s assets. Tracy received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Eric Nokken Eric Nokken
Director
Wilary Winn
Eric Nokken has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Wilary Winn since 2004. He leads Wilary Winn’s mortgage banking activities line of business. Eric’s team provides mortgage servicing rights valuations on portfolios that range in size from $4 million to over $4 billion for more than 375 clients across the country. He is an expert in the accounting and regulatory reporting related to mortgage banking activities, including interest rate lock commitment and forward loan sale commitment derivatives, as well as mortgage servicing rights. Eric also values commercial servicing rights, SBA servicing rights and gain on sale calculations related to SBA loan sales as well as auto, home equity and HELOC servicing related to loan sale participations.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Andrew Okolski Andrew Okolski
Director of Credit Union and Municipality Strategies
The Baker Group
Andrew Okolski is the Director of Credit Union Strategies at The Baker Group LP. Andy joined the firm in 2018 to oversee the design and implementation of ALM, regulatory and wholesale market strategies for credit unions. He also works directly with clients across the country in a broad range of areas including education, portfolio management, interest rate risk management, strategic planning, and regulatory guidance. Andy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Long Island University. He is a registered representative and general securities principal with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Andy was one of the founders of The Baker Group LP’s regional office in Babylon, NY. He brings a wealth of knowledge including almost 20 years of credit union experience along with a client friendly comprehensive approach to overall balance sheet management.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Mia Perez Mia Perez
SVP of Culture + Employee Experience
North Carolina State Employees CU
Mia Perez is the SVP of Culture + Employee Experience at North Carolina State Employees CU, the nation’s second largest credit union. She is the past Chair of the Credit Union National Association’s Marketing & Business Development Council Executive Committee. In 2016, Mia was named as a Woman to Watch by the Credit Union Times and as a Credit Union Rock Star by Credit Union Magazine. She received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Tulane University, a master’s degree in Leadership and HR Development from LSU, and is a graduate of CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification School where she earned her Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME) designation, where she is currently an instructor.
Mia is host of the Leadership Experiment with Royce and Mia podcast. Listen on iTunes or anywhere else you get your podcasts or visit www.royceandmia.com.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Mike Rayburn Mike Rayburn
TED Talk Presenter
innovative entrepreneur and Hall of Fame speaker
Mike Rayburn is a two-time TED Talk Presenter, an innovative entrepreneur and Hall of Fame speaker who uses world-class guitar and comedy to teach change and innovation to corporations world-wide. He has headlined Carnegie Hall, headlined in Las Vegas, and performed more than 5,000 presentations in 20 countries on five continents. Rayburn is a regular on Sirius/XM and morning radio nationwide. He has performed as guitarist with The Beach Boys and John Oates. Rayburn’s keynote is called “The What IF? Keynote Experience.” You will learn three simple tools for harnessing your unrealized potential, creating and leading change, and becoming a virtuoso performer. You’ll hear amazing music including a solo guitar version of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Oh, and you laugh a LOT! No one does what Mike Rayburn does.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Dean Rohne Dean Rohne
Principal, Financial Institutions
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)
Dean Rohne has more than 22 years of experience providing audit, internal audit, and consulting services to credit union and credit union related organizations. He has provided consulting services in the areas of business lending, bond claim preparation, product costing and profitability, and asset/liability management. He also has experience related to credit union 990 tax issues as well as unrelated business income tax issues. Dean has also worked as an internal auditor at IBM Mid America Employees Federal Credit Union.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Brittany Rollek Brittany Rollek
Director
ALM First Financial Advisors
Brittany Rollek joined ALM First Financial Advisors in 2013. In her role as Director, she develops holistic partnerships with clients to develop successful balance sheet strategies that maximize performance. This includes interpretation of full balance sheet risk analytics and risk positioning to determine the best opportunities for each client to achieve their financial goals. Supported by our experienced team, Brittany provides advice and insights on loan pricing, loan transactions, investment portfolio management, funding strategies, hedging and more. In addition to her leading role working directly with clients, Brittany coordinates internal collaboration to deliver analytics and timely reporting to assist clients throughout the entire process from strategy development through implementation and post-execution analysis. She also serves as project manager for non-traditional investment solutions for ALM First. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Davidson College in North Carolina.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Mackenzie Rooney Mackenzie Rooney
Manager
CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mackenzie Rooney is a manager in our Minneapolis, Minnesota office. She has more than seven years’ experience in the accounting industry with a focus on accounting and regulatory issues for financial institutions.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Alejandra Seluja Alejandra Seluja
Independent Consultant
CDFI
Alejandra Seluja is an independent consultant who works with credit unions throughout the US and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Her work focuses on financial inclusion and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). She led Inclusiv’s national initiative to create financial inclusion for immigrant members; and was the field researcher for the study “BEYOND FINANCIAL ACCESS: Striving For Deeper Immigrant Financial Inclusion”, a study to better understand how to reach immigrants and how to help them use financial products and services at the credit union to build greater financial stability. She was a Fellow for the 2012 World Council of Credit Unions immersion program in Guatemala. Alejandra is focused on bringing CDFI resources to Beautiful Puerto Rico. Through CDFI PR, LLC. partners Mr. Caballero and Ms. Seluja lead these efforts with approx. 75% of all cooperativas CDFI certified, and approx. 80% of all CDFI grants to cooperativas in the island.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Brandi Stankovic, CUDE Brandi Stankovic, CUDE
Chief Strategy Officer, CSO
CU Solutions Group
Dr. Brandi Stankovic is an organizational change expert, motivational speaker, artist and mommy who inspires firms globally with her models of leadership, engagement, and award-winning education. She is the senior vice president of Strategic Advisory Services at CU Solutions Group. Dr. Stankovic is the coauthor of The Strategic MVP, a book of 52 growth and leadership tools and the host of the energizing podcast, The Strategic Hotbox, designed to help executives reach their greatest potential.
Dr. Stankovic is the World Young Credit Union Professionals Committee chair and US Ambassador for the Global Women's Leadership Network, World Council of Credit Unions, helping advance young executives and women in leadership across the globe. She is also board director for the Nevada Council on Economic Education, Young Leaders vice chair for CMN Hospitals Credit Unions for Kids, the HRD Network Board advisor, director for University of Nevada Alumni Advisory Committee, and a Development Educator CUDE and I-CUDE.
Dr. Stankovic received her Bachelors in Finance and Economics at University of Nevada, Masters of Business Administration from University of San Diego and Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Brett Sturman Brett Sturman
Senior Solutions Engineer
Syntellis Performance Solutions
Brett Sturman assists clients and prospects in understanding how Axiom software can help analyze and improve an institution's overall financial performance. He draws from 15 years of direct and consultative industry experience in various facets of banking, from profitability measurement to risk management to commercial credit.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Bob Swartz Bob Swartz
Partner
BKD
Bob Swartz is a partner with BKD and is a member of BKD National Financial Services Group. He has more than 23 years of experience providing a full range of assurance and consulting services to credit unions. Bob serves as the North Region representative on the firm’s Credit Union Committee. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Illinois CPA Society and Missouri Society of CPAs. Bob has presented to the Heartland Credit Union Association, Illinois Credit Union League, and Mountain West Credit Union Association on the effects new accounting standards bring to credit unions. He is a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Elisabeth Vogel Elisabeth Vogel
Managing Director and Senior Fixed Income Strategist
Raymond James
Elisabeth Vogel is a managing director and Senior Fixed Income Strategist in Raymond James’ Fixed Income Capital Markets (FICM) division. In this role, she is primarily responsible for advising the firm’s depository institution clients on fixed income portfolio construction, balance sheet management, and strategies for optimizing financial performance. Elisabeth joined Raymond James as an analyst in 2006 and was promoted to managing director in 2018. As a recognized leader in depository institution strategy, she regularly works with regulatory agencies charged with overseeing banks and credit unions. Elisabeth is a frequent speaker at bank and credit union industry events, along with various Raymond James Fixed Income conferences.
Elisabeth holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics. She holds the following professional licenses: Series 7 - General Securities Representative and Series 63 - Uniform Securities Agent State Law.
Email: hello@cuna.coop
Dave Wicklund Dave Wicklund
Senior Bank Examiner
Plansmith
For the past 10 years, Dave Wicklund has used his extensive regulatory expertise and teaching experience to guide both Plansmith and non-Plansmith clients. He has authored numerous articles, whitepapers, and blogs on interest rate risk (IRR) and liquidity management and provides training to regulators, trade groups, and financial institution managers. Dave oversees Plansmith’s efforts to provide advisory services in the areas of IRR model outsourcing, assumption development, ALM Policy review, contingency funding planning, capital planning and stress testing, and ALCO participation.
Prior to joining Plansmith, Dave spent over 20 years at the FDIC as a Senior Bank Examiner and Capital Markets Subject Matter Expert. He co-developed and served as a course instructor for the FDIC's Asset/Liability Management School, developed and led train-the-trainer sessions for the FDIC's Evaluating IRR Models training course, instructed at the Federal Reserve Board of Chicago's Asset/Liability Management Lab, and served as Examiner-in-Charge of numerous bank examinations.
Email: hello@cuna.coop