Royce Ngiam has 25 years of experience in banking/credit unions and an MBA with an emphasis in Marketing (although a closer look at his transcript would suggest an emphasis in Finance) from the University of California, Riverside in 2001. Royce has a desire to combine his proven business track record along with his passion for learning by working with likeminded credit union professionals. His responsibilities include driving creative development and strategies that embrace multiple platforms across the credit union’s audience through innovative solutions that are quantifiable, repeatable, and sustainable across all channels, over a dynamic and evolving consumer landscape.  Additionally, Royce is responsible for curating and visualizing a robust data depository while articulating and translating key data insights into actionable and measurable activities.  His time within the credit union industry has reinforced his passion for marketing and his desire to be a thought leader while advancing his craft.

​​Mia Perez is the Chief Administrative Officer at Coastal 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 +BD School 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.​

Mike Akers is currently the President/CEO of Bay Credit Union, including FLAG Credit Union, a division of Bay Credit Union. Mike has spent over 20 years in financial services. His experience includes branch operations, call center management, creating and fostering successful sales behaviors (don't call it a 'sales culture'), corporate training, facilities management, consumer lending, accounting, debit, and credit card portfolio management, and running award winning marketing campaigns.

Whitney Anderson joined Elements Financial as President/CEO in February 2022. She previously served as Chief Community Development Officer at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), one of the top five Michigan credit unions according to Forbes. She also served as President of the Desk Drawer Fund and President of Ever Green 3C. Prior to her time at MSUFCU, she worked for Kraft Foods for 13 years. Whitney is known as a highly skilled and effective leader with experience leading a broad range of teams, projects, and responsibilities – among them community and business development; diversity, equity, and inclusion; financial education; and strategy.

Whitney holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Marketing from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University.  She has significant community involvement on boards such as the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan, Peckham, Inc. and IndyChamber.

Ariel Bilskey has been in the industry since 2001 – first as a credit union marketer and now as the Sr. director of learning strategy at CUNA. She’s a past president of a WI credit union chapter, as well as a recipient of multiple industry awards including a CUNA Diamond award, two Dora Maxwell awards, and numerous League Marketer’s Choice awards. She earned the CUDE designation in 2019. Ariel was honored with the President’s Award from the Stateline Boys & Girls Club for her dedication to giving back to her community. She’s also a two-time Tough Mudder finisher.  
 
Ariel holds a BA in Mass Communications with an emphasis in PR from Winona State University. She also earned her EMT-B certification from Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, WI and was a volunteer EMT. 

Michele Bolkovatz is currently the Vice President of Public Relations and Membership (Business Development) at Wyoming’s largest credit union headquartered in the state with over $1.8 Billion in assets and serving over 115,000 members worldwide. While working at Blue FCU for 30 years, she has earned Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Certified Senior Executive and Certified Marketing Executive status. In addition, Michele recently earned her Credit Union Business Development Professional designation with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). She is a graduate from Montana State University. 

Paris Chevalier was named President and CEO of South Bay Credit Union in 2021. A proven leader, brand-builder, and strategist with a strong track record of generating growth and building high-performing teams, Paris previously served as Chief Experience Officer for USE Credit Union in San Diego and Chief Marketing Officer for Xceed Financial Credit Union.  A Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), she’s passionate about credit unions’ “people helping people” ethos and the movement’s member-first philosophy. An inductee to the Rising 100 by the Credit Union Executives Society, in 2011 Paris was named “Tomorrow’s Star” by the California Credit Union Leagues. Among other activities, she currently serves on the Executive Committee of CUNA’s Marketing & Business Development Council, the Board of the CUES Southern California/Nevada Council, the CCUL’s Shapiro Advisory Committee, the Lomita Chamber of Commerce, as well as on the role of Player Agent for her son’s Little League Board.

Lyndsey Delatte is a digital marketing specialist at Louisiana Federal Credit Union. With 14 years of experience in the credit union industry, she has developed a deep proficiency in credit union marketing. Lyndsey is responsible for driving the credit union's digital marketing initiatives and leading the development of effective strategies to engage members.  She began her career at the credit union as a teller. With her strong work ethic and enthusiasm for the industry, Lyndsey soon moved into a marketing role. Over the years, she has developed a thorough understanding of the credit union industry and how to best serve the needs of members. 

Lyndsey holds a Bachelor of Marketing from The University of New Orleans. She received the Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive designation in 2021. 

Mike Dinneen is Senior Vice President at $4.5 billion Philadelphia-based American Heritage Credit Union, overseeing Marketing and Business Development. The credit union serves 280,000 members across 825 sponsor companies and 25 branches. The American Heritage team has been awarded for marketing and business development excellence by CUNA, CrossStates Association, Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association, and Public Relations Society of America, as well as by Financial Brand as a Power 100 Credit Union Using Social Media. Previously, Mike was SVP of Marketing, Product and Investor Relations at Sun National Bank, a $3 billion institution that operated in New Jersey and New York. He holds an MBA from DeSales University, a BSJ from West Virginia University, and Certificate in Strategy and Digital Marketing from Cornell University. Mike is a member of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council and serves on the Diamond Awards Committee.

Dan Dorsch has been a resident of Cheyenne, WY for 10 years. He has a business degree from Texas Tech University and was a financial representative at Thrivent Financial for seven years, before joining Habitat in May of 2020 as special projects coordinator. He became the executive director in January 2023. He had been a volunteer and supporter of Habitat since 2015, before joining the affiliate as an employee.

Dan is involved in his community beyond his role at Habitat. He has served as a board member of the Friday Food Bag Foundation for four years, serving as president of the board for two years, served as a board member of the Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter for three years, and currently serves on the Mayor of Cheyenne's Affordable Housing Task Force, and the Governor's Workforce Housing Working Group, looking for housing solutions for the state of Wyoming and local community.

Jason Duplant is the Chief Marketing Officer for Neches Federal Credit Union in Port Neches, Texas. With over 20 years’ experience in the credit union industry, his knowledge covers marketing, business development, and leadership. Jason has won numerous awards including Texas Credit Union Marketer of the Year and he was voted best credit union marketer in the universe by his mom.

Chandler Elmore is a communication and public relations professional who has extensive background in digital marketing and traditional media practices. He works at Blue Federal Credit Union, based in Cheyenne Wyoming. Chandler’s role seeks to act as a community connector between the CU and the roughly 150 organizations that seek partnership throughout Colorado and Wyoming. He enjoys the ethos of the credit union movement and the people that he meets every day. Chandler has a BS in public relations as well as an MBA. 

Adele Gardner is the Chief Retail Meridian Trust Federal Credit Union in Wyoming. She attended the University of Northern Colorado where she received her BA in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences and Chemistry. Adele earned her CUDE designation as part of the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation Executive Leadership Program and is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School. As a big believer of sharing time, treasure, and talent, she serves on various nonprofit boards in her community.

Sarah Haertl leads the marketing department at Colorado Credit Union as Vice President of Marketing, Business Development and Sales. Prior to joining the credit union movement, she spent several years in the agency world working with a wide range of clients on marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns. Sarah’s marketing background in other industries allows her to bring a creative approach and outside-the-box thinking to CCU's marketing efforts.

Gigi Hyland serves as the Executive Director for the National Credit Union Foundation (The Foundation), the philanthropic and social responsibility leader of America's credit union movement. The Foundation’s three pillars of work are: Ignite credit unions to place employee, member, and community financial well-being at the center of their strategy; Inspire credit unions to leverage their cooperative values to reinforce an organizational culture that empowers and motivates employees; and respond when disaster strikes and help credit unions increase their business resiliency through the cooperative value of "people helping people." In her role, Gigi ignites and inspires credit union professionals to collaborate and incorporate consumer financial health and cooperative principles into their business strategy. She works to help credit unions make themselves part of the strategic architecture of their community's financial well-being, integrating business and benevolence so credit unions serve as a trusted partner to their members and their community in advancing financial well-being for all.  

Gigi is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in comparative literature, Gigi also earned her J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School of George Mason University and an Advanced Diploma in International Law from McGeorge School of Law. She is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC). Gigi serves on the America Saves® Advisory Board, is a board member of the National Cooperative Bank (NCB) and chairs NCB’s Board Risk Committee. In September 2022, Gigi was inducted into the America’s Credit Union Museum Herstory exhibit which highlights a range of credit union women and their achievements in the credit union industry.  

Alana Kelly is the Director of Marketing for On Tap Credit Union. As Director of Marketing, Alana oversees all aspects related to the production and implementation of marketing campaigns in addition to strategizing, analyzing, and leading the marketing team. In 2021, she won the CUNA Rising Star Award for her work driving engagement through social media campaigns that supported local businesses during a time when most were closing their doors due to the pandemic.

Prior to On Tap, Alana received her master’s degree from Colorado State University Global Campus and has over 15 years of marketing experience. She has extensive experience providing the leadership and direction needed to drive the achievement of key organizational marketing objectives. She quickly understands an organization's value proposition while working to maximize brand awareness and sales. In addition, she brings proven strength in building and maintaining professional relationships with strategic business partners and marketing stakeholders. 

Chris Lorence is executive director of CU Awareness, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). Lorence raises consumer consideration and membership opportunities for credit unions through the nation’s only digital consumer engagement program. In 2021, over 6 million consumers visited the programs Your Money Further website, seeking information and connection with participating credit unions.

Lorence brings more than twenty-five years of leadership, marketing, engagement, and innovation strategy to Credit Union Awareness. He spent two decades in the financial services association sector, most recently serving as Group Executive Vice President of Engagement & Strategy/Chief Marketing Officer. In his most recent role, he developed and deployed digital and social media marketing programs that significantly increased website traffic, marketshare and digital advertising revenues.

Chris began his career in the credit union movement, serving in several capacities at Spectrum Federal Credit Union and FDIC Employees Federal Credit Union.

In 2014, Chris was named to the FORBES 50 Influential CMO's in Social Media list and the Top 100 CMO's on Twitter by Social Media Marketing  Magazine.

Amy McGraw is Marketing VP and CXO for Tropical Financial Credit Union. She has been highly successful in developing innovative marketing plans and using data and AI to develop personalized omnichannel experiences for consumers in the S. Florida market. She has been a leader in the credit union profession for nearly 20 years, contributing to the betterment of the industry as a whole.

Nader Moghaddam, CEO of Financial Partners CU since January 2005 (CDFI designated organization, 88,000 Members, $2.3 Billion Assets). Prior to his 40-year experience in financial services, Nader earned his B.S. and Master of Planning degrees from USC. A strong industry advocate, he serves on the following Boards, CUNA, CUNA National CU Foundation, CU Awareness, LLC , CU Direct (past Chair), founding member of CUNA CEO Council (past Chair), California Credit Union League (past Chair), Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Foundation (Chair), National CU Roundtable Advisory Council (past Chair), and Council Forum (past Chair) among others. Previously, Nader served as EVP at Kinecta FCU and spent 10 years at Great Western Bank serving as First VP territory manager, VP corporate planning and business planning. He has a first-hand experience in facilitating culture change and strategic planning.

Toni Nichols is the Public Relations Manager at Texas Trust Credit Union, with over 10 years of marketing experience. She oversees telling the story of the credit union, driving brand awareness, and expanding key relationship. A New Jersey native, Toni is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and a published author. During her time at Texas Trust, she has been able to secure numerous industry awards for her work in marketing and social media. Toni believes that the best leaders are the ones who respects and listens to their team, a philosophy she works to live up to daily. 

Katie Rammer is the Marketing Coordinator at Kohler Credit Union in southeastern Wisconsin and has nine years’ experience in credit union marketing. She coordinates her credit union’s overall marketing campaign strategies and leads its social media efforts including content creation, managing feedback, and tracking the success of advertising. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with an emphasis on strategic communication. 

The “Veterans Build” program is a national program of Habitat for Humanity to provide housing solutions and volunteer and employment opportunities to veterans. In Laramie County, Wyoming, the inaugural Veterans Build home was also the House that Credit Unions Built. Thomas Redding, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran, was the recipient of this home.

As Transportation Coordinator and Driver for D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans), a non-profit organization offering transportation and other services to veterans free of charge, Thomas spends his days driving veterans to medical appointments. He loves paying it forward to the vets and strives to be a friendly face to those who've served our nation and may face homelessness, disability, transportation issues, and often, isolation. He also volunteers at his church; he’s a fixture in the kitchen, organizing cooking for events, fundraisers, and the Church's partnership with the local homeless shelter.

Thomas contributed hundreds of hours of sweat equity to the home and then purchased it with an affordable mortgage. The payments he'll make on the house will be reinvested in affordable homes for more local families.

Ericka Reder uses social media to educate, entertain, and emotionally connect with members. Her strategy focuses on sharing people over products.

Andy Reed is an 18 year veteran of the industry and is the CEO of $452M Security First Credit Union in Edinburg Texas. He previously served as the CEO for Baylor Healthcare Systems Credit Union in Dallas, and Texas People Federal Credit Union in Fort Worth. Andy holds both Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from LeTourneau University and is a Southwest CUNA Management School graduate. He was a member of the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Executive Committee for six years and served as the chairman from 2015-2017. Andy was named Business Development Professional of the Year by the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council in 2013. In his spare time Andy loves to unwind at his weekend home on South Padre Island and is especially fond of traveling. Andy is beyond excited to be back with his CMBDC family!

Valerie Renk’s career has focused on helping people through homeownership, credit, and science. She’s CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, which builds homes, communities, and hope. Their team of 42 staff and 3,000 volunteers’ partner with families to build 15-20 homes a year, run two retail home supply ReStores, and serve as a financial institution financing the 370+ homes they’ve built. Previously Valerie was Worldwide Foundation Executive Director for World Council of Credit Unions, and she started her career in CUNA’s marketing department.  
 
Valerie’s professional affiliations have included serving on the community investment board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Board Chair of the Wis 4-H Foundation, and President-Elect of the Madison Rotary Foundation. She’s spoken to numerous groups including, a cooperative microfinance panel at the United Nations.

Mike Schenk has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. In 1992 he joined the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) – the largest and most influential national trade association advocating for America's credit unions. There are 4,889 credit unions nationwide, with a total of more than 135 million memberships and over $2 trillion in assets. 

Mike Schenk is Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer for Policy Analysis and Chief Economist for CUNA and conducts economic research and supports CUNA’s public relations and advocacy efforts.  His analyses regularly appear in trade publications such as Credit Union Magazine.  Mike is a frequent contributor to the financial media. He serves on the board of the Filene Research Institute, an independent, non-profit consumer and cooperative finance think tank.  Mike also serves on the board of Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wisconsin – a $6.2 billion financial cooperative with over 240,000 members.  In his nearly 20 years on the Summit board Mike has served as Board Chair and has Chaired the credit union’s Asset-Liability Management and Risk Management/Internal Audit Committees.   

If there is an opportunity to bolster Community Financial Credit Union and the industry at large, Tansley Stearns will jump on board as a champion regardless of other demands on her plate. To Tansley, an opportunity to connect with others and add impact is always worth the time. She puts people first. She fosters an environment to celebrate team successes and challenge one another to always reach for more in the name of taking the financial challenges that Michiganders face and improving upon them every day. Impossible is a word Tansley loves. She knows that when we dream big, we can turn those dreams into reality, transforming financial services in unimaginable ways.

Evan Strandberg is originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He moved to the PNW and started his credit union career in 2010. Like many, Evan started as a teller and fell in love with the credit union movement. He currently serves as iQ Credit Unions Community Impact Manager. Evan has a passion for supporting young folks in our industry and has served on the Young Credit Union Professionals of Portland Board. He graduated from WCMS in 2018 #DoOrDieWeArePi. 

Kellie Swiger is the Creative Director at Michigan based credit union LAFCU. She has worked in the credit union industry for the past 14 years as a Graphic Designer and Creative Director helping to grow the marketing and brand development. Her passion to be creative, innovative, and cutting-edge has resulted in multiple team-driven and award-winning campaigns, programs, and initiatives including the CUNA Diamond and Dora Maxwell Awards. Kellie is inspired by the credit union philosophy of people helping people and the amazing ways in which we support, grow, and give back to our communities every day.

Whitney Thomas grew up as a competitive figure skater and earned a professional status at the age of 18. She traveled with the world skating and performing for Disney on Ice for 10 years. After moving back home, Whitney began an internship at a credit union and quickly realized that is where she was supposed to be. After the internship, she applied to work at Colorado Credit Union where she has been working four years. Whitney started working at CCU as a Member Service Representative and a few months later, moved into the marketing department.

In 2021, Whitney was named an Outstanding Young Professional by MWCUA (now GoWest). She was the first Leadership Institute graduating class at GoWest in 2022. Whitney has a BA in Communications (2019) and an MBA with a Specialization in Leadership and Management (2022) from CU Denver. 

Lorrell Walter subscribes to three leadership mantras: Give credit where credit is due; Praise in public, criticize in private; Don’t ask someone to do something if you won’t do it yourself. With 20+ years in marketing/communications and 16 years in senior management, Lorrell has been instrumental in elevating the reputation of her credit union. She is active in her community and in the CUNA M&BD Council. Lorrell is a proud Diamond Award winner and received the council’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year award. She is a Kiwanis member and Girl Scout leader and serves on the board of directors for the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative, Air Force Association, and Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee.