Conference Registration

Opening Remarks

Breaking Down the Basics of Executive Benefits & Compensation

Tammy O’Hara 

Executive Benefits Consultant

Parc Street Partners

This session will address the basics of executive benefits and compensation. In addition to being key components of corporate governance, they are employee retention strategies, designed to attract, retain, and motivate top leadership.

Networking and Refreshment Break

Understanding Risk Management for Board Members

Peter Fugaro

President

Prymak, LLC

Risk is a normal part of financial services and credit unions know that is part of the business. But the specific risks change over time, and credit unions need to understand these changes and how to manage them. Risk will never be eliminated, but recognition and preparation are critical to the organization’s survival. Learn about the latest risks credit unions face, and hear about prudent strategies to minimize and hedge against negative outcomes.

Daily Wrap-Up

Welcome Reception

Join us for cocktails, light dining, and great conversation. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

CU Conferences is grateful for the support of its sponsor, PARC Street Partners, and would like to thank them for co-sponsoring the reception. Be sure to visit with one of their representatives.

Breakfast

Join us for a hearty breakfast. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

Opening Remarks

Unconscious Bias

Dr. Nancy J. Lewis, MS, SHRM-CP, PHR, RCC

President
Progressive Techniques, Inc.

Our decisions are influenced by various factors. Your personal experiences, background, and environmental conditions all affect your choices whether you realize it or not. In many situations this is not an issue and, often, we make the right choice based on what we have learned naturally and have experienced in our life.

Unconscious bias happens when we make incredibly quick judgments and assessments of people and situations without realizing it. The problem occurs when unconscious bias is against certain cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, characteristics, etc. When we operate with our unconscious biases, it can have an adverse impact on your members, staff, and credit union. It is critical to learn to manage your biases so that everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Session Highlights:

• Define and understand unconscious bias

• Identify the impact of unconscious bias in the workplace

• Develop strategies for working through and managing biases

• Leverage talents and skills of all groups to improve performance, productivity, and morale in the workplace

Networking and Refreshment Break

Economic Update

Bill Farley

President/CEO
aCUmen America, LLC

GDP, interest rates, unemployment, housing, inflation, recession…all of these are top of mind when navigating our credit unions into the future. More than ever, as credit union leaders, we must solve how we maintain safety and stability, execute strategy, and help members help themselves. We’ll review key economic indicators as well as an analysis of the credit union marketplace to help you make better strategic decisions through 2025 and beyond.

Growing Market Share Through Marketing & Technology Innovation
Part I

Peter Fugaro

President

Prymak, LLC

The credit union and banking industry continues to become more and more competitive. Successful growth requires a comprehensive marketing/branding strategy to find new members and leading-edge technology to retain them. Marketing strategies need to combine creativity with results-oriented initiatives. Technology needs to be used to improve member experience and enhance operational efficiency. Those goals are easier said than done. During the first part of Peter’s session, we will

•  Explore the importance of a strong marketing message and competitive positioning statement

•  Discover the numerous promotional vehicles available to credit unions to produce qualified prospects, including social media, video, web-based marketing initiatives and better use of traditional advertising channels

•  And, most importantly, understand the critical role that the board of directors holds in ensuring marketing success.

Group Luncheon

Join us for lunch. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

Growing Market Share Through Marketing & Technology Innovation
Part II

Peter Fugaro

President

Prymak, LLC

After lunch, Peter’s session will continue highlighting the following:

• Look at the latest technology trends in financial services

• Understand how to choose the right technology—from the right vendor

• Learn how executives and board members can be engaged to ensure that their credit union is making the right IT decisions.

The Heart of Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Emotional Intelligence

Linda Lafortune
Director of Learning & Client Support
CUInsight

This session explores the fundamental components of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and their profound impact on leadership, relationship-building, and organizations. We will explore the core elements of EI, including self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, and learn how each contributes to effective communication, decision-making, and collaboration.

By understanding and applying these principles, you’ll discover how to enhance your leadership capabilities, foster stronger connections, and create positive outcomes for both you and the teams and organizations you lead.

Key Learnings:

• Understanding the core components of Emotional Intelligence

• Enhancing self-awareness and self-regulation for better leadership

• Developing empathy and social skills to build stronger relationships

• Applying emotional intelligence to improve communication and collaboration

• Leveraging EI to create positive and lasting impact for individuals and organizations

Daily Wrap-Up

Breakfast

Join us for a hearty breakfast. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

Opening Remarks

Surfing the Riptide

Bill Farley

President/CEO
aCUmen America, LLC

Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and toughness. The credit union movement has certainly seen its share of challenges, with more to come. In this session, we will dive into what it takes to build a resiliency culture in your credit union.

Networking and Refreshment Break

Make Way for Generation Z - Zoomers are Here

Dr. Nancy J. Lewis, MS, SHRM-CP, PHR, RCC

President
Progressive Techniques, Inc.

Generation Z, often defined as individuals born from the mid-to-late 1990s through the early 2010s is characterized by its unique experiences and perspectives shaped by rapid technological advancement, social change, and global events. Generation Z, also called “digital natives” are the first generation to grow up with the internet, smartphones, and social media as integral parts of their daily lives. Their mastery of technology has left their social skills less developed.

Generation Z wants to be engaged in the workplace and often looks at their career as a journey through life. Generation Z are pragmatic, resourceful, and competitive. It is important for them to make a difference in the world and have purpose in their lives. They want purpose but are unlikely to give up financial security to attain it.

Generation Z have grown up in a digital-first world and have distinct attitudes toward credit unions. To engage them, it will be important to offer digital integration, transparency and trust, financial education, customization and personalization, and community focus.

To lead and work with Generation Z will require leveraging technology, promoting diversity and inclusion, and providing mental health initiatives.

Objectives:

• Define characteristics of Generation Z

• Identify strategies to engage with Generation Z

• Develop ways to support their unique educational and career aspirations

• Create and be open to ways to address their mental health concerns

Daily Wrap-Up