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Congratulations to Kauai FCU Community Impact Manager Carlyssa Scanlon for completing the Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) program as part of the 2025 class. This class joins more than 3,300 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982. Delivered as an immersive week-long in-person event, the DE program is a unique, transformative training experience. It provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. Participants engage in small and large group exercises and interactive speaker sessions focused on the credit union difference, empathy, and financial well-being for all. “Attending the CUDE program was truly eye-opening. I was lucky to experience the credit union movement before as a Crasher at the GAC in 2024 and CUFinHealth in 2023, but CUDE took that knowledge passion for the industry to a whole new level. I learned that our tiny credit union on Kauai actually has a big reputation in the industry. So many people know the name Kauai FCU and recognize the work we’ve done over the years. It reminded me that being small doesn’t mean being insignificant, and every single person can make a huge impact in the world. I also realized that so many other credit unions have entire community impact departments focused on service and outreach. It was inspiring to see so many people doing the same kind of work I do and to feel part of a bigger movement that puts people first. The experience completely changed the way I look at my role as a community impact manager. Before, I saw my job as creating programs and helping our local community. Now, I see it as being part of something much larger. The credit union movement only stays alive through storytelling and advocacy. People need to know what we do, because if everyone understood the difference, everyone would support their local credit union. Big, for-profit banks would go out of business completely. At CUDE, I saw firsthand how serious we are about putting people over profit. I learned about the power of empathy, the importance of serving underserved communities, and the strength that comes from credit unions and other cooperatives working together to create a better future. It made me proud to be part of an industry and a company that truly lives its values. I’m leaving this experience more motivated than ever. I plan to be louder about the credit union difference, to share stories that show how we help real people, and to advocate for our industry every chance I get. I want to keep building programs that lift up our members and connect us with other cooperatives and community partners. I’ll carry the lessons from CUDE into everything I do, staying grounded in the philosophy of people over profits. That’s what “people helping people”, a common credit union saying, really means: standing beside our members, empowering our communities, and proving every day that credit unions are a force for lasting change.” Carlyssa Scanlon | Community Impact Manager | Kaua‘i Federal Credit Union The October 2025 DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States: Abby Olson, Minnco CU Adam Marlowe, Georgia United CU Amanda Sheehan, Centennial Lending LLC Anjanette Gallegos, Guadalupe CU Ashley Mason, Bayer Heritage FCU Ben Jones, ORNL FCU Brandon Beasley, SPC CU Brittany Freeman, Iowa Credit Union League Brooke Westbrook, Peach State FCU Carlyssa Scanlon, Kaua'i FCU Cassandre Cassamajor, SkyPoint FCU Cassie Blake, America's Credit Unions Cherie Sierra, U.S. Eagle FCU Chris Hagans, ORNL FCU Crystal Garrison, Fibre FCU CeeCee Handrow, Blackhawk Community CU Daylene Wittman, Cornerstone League Eunice Adjei, St Cloud Financial CU Gina Lewis, GECU FCU Ivey Sickafoose, America's First FCU Jacklyn Olive, Embold CU Jen Burke, Maine Credit Union League Jennifer Mouncer, TwinStar CU Jeremiah Nazaruk, Corporate One FCU Jessica Crudup, Spokane Teachers CU Jim Luurtsema, Mass Mutual FCU Kaelixte Wagner, Black Hills FCU Karla Schriner, Coastal CU Kathrine White, Ironworkers USA FCU Katie Payne, Ent CU Kenny Gilmore, Simplicity CU Kevin Russell, SchoolsFirst FCU Kylee Lemieux, North Star Community CU Lea Ann Gabbert, Credit Union of America Loriann Mancuso, Curql Collective Matt Cook, Lake Michigan CU Megan Weigel, Loyalty CU Michelle Hollenbeck, Unitus Community CU Minire Syla, Guardians CU MyKale Clark, TruStage Nic Gates, Vizo Financial Corporate CU Patricio Munoz, Mutual Security CU Rachel Strauch-Nelson, TruStage Richard Ross, America's Credit Unions Sarah Jorde, First Alliance CU Sherilyn H. Goad, Rio Grande Valley CU Stacie Walker, States Employees’ CU Steve Lee, Chartway FCU Sue Ward-Diorio, CrossState Credit Union Foundation Tatiyana Wood, Element FCU Tawana Carmouche, Pelican State CU Teresa Riesterer, Blackhawk Community CU Tommy Lentz, Greenville FCU Washima Huq, Texas Trust CU The program was facilitated by Christopher Morris, DE Program Director at the Foundation and Dave Hinchey, VP of Community and Social Impact at The Credit Union League of Connecticut Inc., and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Jimese Harkley, Harborstone CU; Ashley Kjenaas, TwoScore; Jody Dabrowski, Illinois Educators CU; Jennifer Parker, Skyla CU; Carolyn Reeves, Carolyn Reeves Consulting; and Zach Karolek, Summit CU. Interested in attending DE? To register for an available program or for more information on the DE program, please visit ncuf.coop/development-education/program. To be added to the notification list to receive DE updates directly to your inbox, please contact cude@ncuf.coop.
Congratulations to Kauai FCU Community Impact Manager Carlyssa Scanlon for completing the Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) program as part of the 2025 class. This class joins more than 3,300 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982.
Delivered as an immersive week-long in-person event, the DE program is a unique, transformative training experience. It provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. Participants engage in small and large group exercises and interactive speaker sessions focused on the credit union difference, empathy, and financial well-being for all.
“Attending the CUDE program was truly eye-opening. I was lucky to experience the credit union movement before as a Crasher at the GAC in 2024 and CUFinHealth in 2023, but CUDE took that knowledge passion for the industry to a whole new level. I learned that our tiny credit union on Kauai actually has a big reputation in the industry. So many people know the name Kauai FCU and recognize the work we’ve done over the years. It reminded me that being small doesn’t mean being insignificant, and every single person can make a huge impact in the world. I also realized that so many other credit unions have entire community impact departments focused on service and outreach. It was inspiring to see so many people doing the same kind of work I do and to feel part of a bigger movement that puts people first.
The experience completely changed the way I look at my role as a community impact manager. Before, I saw my job as creating programs and helping our local community. Now, I see it as being part of something much larger. The credit union movement only stays alive through storytelling and advocacy. People need to know what we do, because if everyone understood the difference, everyone would support their local credit union. Big, for-profit banks would go out of business completely. At CUDE, I saw firsthand how serious we are about putting people over profit. I learned about the power of empathy, the importance of serving underserved communities, and the strength that comes from credit unions and other cooperatives working together to create a better future. It made me proud to be part of an industry and a company that truly lives its values.
I’m leaving this experience more motivated than ever. I plan to be louder about the credit union difference, to share stories that show how we help real people, and to advocate for our industry every chance I get. I want to keep building programs that lift up our members and connect us with other cooperatives and community partners. I’ll carry the lessons from CUDE into everything I do, staying grounded in the philosophy of people over profits. That’s what “people helping people”, a common credit union saying, really means: standing beside our members, empowering our communities, and proving every day that credit unions are a force for lasting change.”
Carlyssa Scanlon | Community Impact Manager | Kaua‘i Federal Credit Union
The October 2025 DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the United States:
The program was facilitated by Christopher Morris, DE Program Director at the Foundation and Dave Hinchey, VP of Community and Social Impact at The Credit Union League of Connecticut Inc., and coordinated by Alicia Crotteau, Programs Manager at the Foundation. The class was mentored by Jimese Harkley, Harborstone CU; Ashley Kjenaas, TwoScore; Jody Dabrowski, Illinois Educators CU; Jennifer Parker, Skyla CU; Carolyn Reeves, Carolyn Reeves Consulting; and Zach Karolek, Summit CU.
Interested in attending DE?
To register for an available program or for more information on the DE program, please visit ncuf.coop/development-education/program. To be added to the notification list to receive DE updates directly to your inbox, please contact cude@ncuf.coop.