Board & Committee Leadership Conference SessionsOpening General SessionWhat the Fed is going on?9:05 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Let’s discuss the good and bad of what we are seeing with not only the most recent rate cut, but anticipated Fed moves through the end of next year. How will these moves impact credit unions and what should we prepare for? About the SpeakerPhillip Cochran is the Senior Vice President/ Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Volcorp.
While managing VolCorp’s investment portfolio and liquidity, Phillip also directs the marketing, sales, analytics, accounting and support functions of all VolCorp investment services to both client credit unions and client corporate credit unions. Joining VolCorp in August of 2004, Phillip has served in the Consulting Department as well as the Investment Department. He was named Chief Investment Officer in 2010, and Senior Vice President in 2016. He also sits on the CU Investment Solutions LLC Board of Managers. Prior to joining the corporate, Phillip was an investment manager at a private investment firm in the Nashville area.
Phillip is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Phillip has a Bachelor of Business degree, with a focus in finance, from Belmont University, a Masters of Science of Accounting from Maryville University and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.
General SessionScam Awareness and Prevention10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.As scams and fraudulent activities become increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial for everyone, including business professionals, to stay informed and vigilant. This presentation is designed to provide board members with essential information on identifying and avoiding scams. Leveraging their business acumen, professionals will gain insights into protecting themselves and their peers from financial exploitation. Objectives:
About the SpeakersRichard Bryant is the Program Director at the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission, bringing experience from previous roles at Kentucky State University, the United States Peace Corps, and Tropo Farms LTD. He has a robust skill set that includes writing, teaching, grant writing, and data analysis. He worked for over a decade in Kentucky's extension system, helping farmers develop business plans and enterprise budgets through entrepreneurship classes and workshops. He is certified by the Kentucky Bankers Association in Fraud Education, Detection, and Prevention. Richard Bryant contributes valuable insights to the industry, helping to ensure all Kentuckians have access to financial literacy information and resources. Ajla Faust is the Director of Community Engagement for the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission (KFEC). Mrs. Faust graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and obtained a master’s degree in education from the University of the Cumberlands. Ajla taught high school business classes and dual credit courses through Northern Kentucky University. One of her key focuses was on Financial Literacy, where she found immense joy in helping high school students grasp essential money management concepts and make informed financial decisions. She realized the importance of this subject as students were eager to learn it and their families and other colleagues were also curious to get guidance on how to properly handle their finances. When the opportunity to do this work statewide presented itself, she couldn’t pass it up. She has been instrumental in relaunching the Kentucky Bank On Network. The mission is to provide all residents with access to safe and affordable banking products and services, combined with comprehensive financial literacy education. Not only does she have a passion for educating others but also continuing her own by participating in professional development. Ajla is certificated by the Kentucky Bankers Association in Fraud Education, Detection, and Prevention. General Session11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Living in an On-Demand WorldA number of digital innovation trends are evolving quickly in 2024 – and will continue into 2025 – that credit unions need to be tracking closely. These trends include openingbanking, digital instant lending and artificial intelligence. This session will cover these trends and others, and offer advice to help credit unions keep pace. About the SpeakerScott Young, Senior Vice President at Velera (formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions) oversees the cooperatives Innovation and Emerging Services Teams. With over twenty-five years of experience in payments, Scott started his career at First Data in Omaha before moving to Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) and Bank-Fund Federal Credit Union in Washington, DC before joining Velera in 2019. A passionate advocate for the credit union movement, Scott is also a leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at Velera and across the industry.
General SessionBSA Annual Training for Volunteers1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.As leaders of your credit union, it is incumbent on you to under the requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering (AML) rules and regulations in order to maintain proper oversight of your credit union’s BSA compliance program. In this session, we’ll examine the applicable BSA/AML laws, rules, and regulations; discuss the elements of a strong BSA compliance program and examiner expectations; and review recent enforcement actions related to violations of the BSA and other anti-money laundering provisions. About the SpeakerEileen Burden is a Louisville, KY native and a graduate of the University of Louisville. Growing up, she always found it easy to talk to others and knew she wanted to find a career where she could use that to help people. Eileen applied for a job at the credit union just a few weeks after she graduated from high school - because she could walk there. At the time, she had no idea that CUs were founded on the philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ nor that she’d make a career out of it, and be celebrating her 20th year in CUs! After working her way through multiple roles - Teller, Business Development Officer, Branch Manager, and Training Specialist, to name a few – and almost 14 years of service to the CU she started in… she transitioned to the League in November of 2017. Eileen spent most of the 3 years she was originally at the league, writing curriculum for workshops and speaking to credit union employees about ‘the power they have to - change lives… everyday!’ After departing the league in 2020 for a short stay at home with her 2nd child – she returned to CU world, as the Training Specialist for one of KY’s CUs. Eileen ‘returned home’ to the League, now referred to as ‘Kentucky’s Credit Unions,’ in March of 2024, to use her extensive operational knowledge and years of experience to assist CUs with their compliance needs. Her goal is to enhance and ensure a ‘culture of compliance’ in all KYs CUs! Eileen lives with her high school sweetheart husband, Tyler, and their 2 children in her hometown of Louisville, KY. Her daughter, Lyla (9), and son Eli (4), enjoy the occasional trip to the ‘Credit Union’ for a sucker – a memory Eileen fondly shares from her own childhood.
Concurrent Education SessionsMembers’ Expectations are Evolving, Are We?2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Based on a survey of over 1200 US consumers conducted in Q1 of 2023 (repeated from a 2019 study) Attendees will learn:
Key Takeaway: Understanding and adapting to changing member expectations, especially in terms of digital and branch experiences, is crucial for credit unions to remain relevant and responsive. About the SpeakerErika Romenesko is a Strategy Manager for Lending Member Experience at TruStage™. With a deep-seated passion for understanding human behavior, she leverages both qualitative and quantitative data to comprehend members' needs, motivations, and preferences regarding loan-related decisions. Erika's dedication to credit unions dates to her childhood when she joined the Penny Pouch Club at her local credit union. Throughout her 16-year tenure at TruStage, she has served in roles centered on fostering credit union education, development, and growth. Erika is an active CUDE graduate and holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a Master's in Adult Education from San Diego State, along with certificates in Instructional Design and Consumer Decision Making. Top 10 Things Every Supervisory Committee Member Should Know2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Join us for an engaging breakout session designed to help Supervisory Committee members understand their key responsibilities and regulatory requirements. This interactive session will also offer a valuable opportunity for open discussion and dialogue, allowing participants to exchange insights and ask questions in a collaborative environment. About the SpeakerBrian Williams is the Assistant Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions Credit Union Division.
Saturday Closing KeynoteFrom Value to Worth9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Talent, skills, attitude and outcomes are the core attributes that define the value proposition of your organization. However, the true measure of your company's worth is determined by how this value is perceived and received in the marketplace. In this engaging and insightful presentation, Patrick demonstrates how to elevate your business, brand, or organization by effectively bridging the gap between value and worth. Through humor and practical examples, he reveals strategies to amplify your company's impact and market presence. About the SpeakerPatrick Henry is more than a motivational humorist, he is a performance keynote speaker and is obsessed with showing audiences how to create extraordinary engagement at home, at work, and in the community.
BACK TO CONFERENCE HOME PAGE |