Events

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Registration

2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Coffee Break

2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Sydney Seral, Chief Advocacy Officer, The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates

2:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Recruit, Retain, Mentor and Motivate Young Talent
Shari Storm, CEO, Category6 Consulting

The labor shortage - especially with young people - does not appear to be getting better any time soon. How can you recruit and retain talent when you don't have the budget to pay what your competitors can? How can you make your organization more attractive to great employees within your current limitations? This lively, funny, interactive presentation gives straight-forward, applicable advice on how to build a reputation of being a place people want to work. This stand-out session shares strategies on building morale, mentoring rising stars, and keeping teams motivated over the long marathon that our jobs often are. And best of all, the advice is immediately actionable.

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Registration

8:30 - 8:45 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
Sydney Seral, Chief Advocacy Officer, The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates

8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
Do Your Members Love You Enough?
Bryan Rutberg, Motivational Speaker, Bryan Rutberg Speaking

Lessons from the Fortune 50 and the corner store inspire your group to make the most of customer interactions, turning first-time buyers into loyal customers, fans, and advocates. The former Director of Microsoft’s renowned Executive Briefing Center shares the secrets of customer engagement to identify your best customers and move more of the rest into your “best” category. Your team will be inspired and will walk away ready to be better in every interaction, with easily implemented tips for communicating more effectively, driving loyalty and listening programs, and creating the right environment to use your customers’ best ideas in your strategic and operational planning.

9:45 - 11:00 a.m.
Session - Directors
Measuring Your Credit Union's Value Proposition
Mike Higgins, Jr., Partner, Mike Higgins & Associates (MHA)

The credit union ethos is value for members, so why do we fixate on profit when we measure our credit union’s success? There is a better way; one that balances the need to keep the financial house in order with the need to create tangible economic value for members. It is possible to meet both objectives at the same time. Join Mike Higgins as he discusses the process and these five aspects of operations:

• Member Net Worth (determining the right amount)
• Product Mix (how member net worth is leveraged)
• Productivity (why traditional measures of productivity are 100% wrong)
• Provision Expense (how effectively credit is being administered)
• Pricing (the ultimate measure of value provided to members)

9:45 - 11:00 a.m.
Session - Supervisory
Building a Productive and Positive Culture Through Strategic Leadership
Shari Storm, CEO, Category6 Consulting

Learn techniques for building an environment that is drama free, where employees feel valued and empowered. Often small changes in the way we interact with our teams can have a long and lasting impact on their job satisfaction. We will discuss ways of handling staff during difficult times – especially during times of change.
Learn the art of motivating others - and yourself - to be more productive, more effective and to enjoy your job more.

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Guest Activity - Create Your Own Scrub Bar
Separate Registration Required - $50

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Coffee Break

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Session - Directors
TBD
David Reed, Attorney, Reed & Jolly

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Session - Supervisory
FRAUD - How to Spot it and How to Stop It
Nicole Irwin, Credit Union Examiner, National Credit Union Administration

12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
The Long Haul - How a Focused Set of Credit Unions Deliver Lasting, Industry Best Results
Jeff Rendel, President, Rising Above Enterprises

Twenty-five years of empirical, data-driven research reveals balanced success for a group of credit unions that thrive through volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and business-as-usual times. Of most interest are the differences in size, markets, members, and models. Of most value are the similarities and common threads of leadership, strategy, and capacity for sustainable success. Discover the choices made to create such built-to-last results and create a plan for your credit union to deliver enduring value for the next generation of members, markets, professionals, and communities.

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Savannah Riverboat Cruise
Separate Registration Required - $75

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Registration

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
The Unstoppable Power of Habit: Transforming Your Life at Work and at Home
John Lanza, Chief Mammal, The Art of Allowance Project by Snigglezoo

You’ve heard about “micro-habits,” “habit-stacking,” and “keystone habits,” but how do you separate the hype from what works? As a leader, you want genuine strategies to build sustainable routines that maximize your time and energy—both in the office and at home. How can you create habits that reduce overwhelm and bring you the freedom and productivity you seek?
During this practical, powerful, and entertaining talk, John shares insights drawn from years of research, personal experience from running to reading, and professional experience helping parents raise money-smart kids by focusing on the habits that matter. Learn how to cultivate new, productive behaviors that stick, identify and eliminate the bad ones that hold you back, and ultimately reshape your life.

Audiences will walk away armed with proven techniques to streamline workloads, reduce stress, and nurture a culture of continuous growth—both at home and in business.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Session - Directors
Next-Gen Board Governance: Building a Future-Ready Board
Jeff Rendel, President, Rising Above Enterprises

As credit unions and executive teams evolve with changing member expectations, business models, and technology; so, too, must boards transform. Prepare your board for the challenges of tomorrow with: A governance strategy that is proactive, agile, and aligned with your credit union’s mission; a governance model that supports rapid innovation, digital transformation, and building a diverse board that brings fresh perspectives and insights; and, Practical tools on how to enhance your board's effectiveness in navigating multi-layered financial, competitive, and regulatory environments.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Session - Supervisory
From Red Flags to Real Threats: Risk Awareness for Supervisory Committees
Kelsie Davis, Compliance Consultant, The League of Credit Unions

As the financial services landscape continues to evolve, credit unions face an increasingly complex array of risks that require proactive oversight and informed governance. This session is designed specifically for supervisory committee members who want to enhance their understanding of emerging threats that could affect credit union safety, soundness, and member confidence. We’ll explore recent legal actions against financial institutions along with new fraud trends driven by artificial intelligence. The training will also highlight red flags, regulatory developments, and practical oversight strategies that supervisory committee members can use to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and strengthen internal controls.

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Session - Director's
Kids These Days: Winning the Hearts, Minds, and Wallets of the Under 25 Consumer
John Lanza, Chief Mammal, The Art of Allowance Project by Snigglezoon

Every financial institution wants to be there when a young person gets their first credit card or car loan—but winning their business starts long before that moment. Research shows that brand loyalty formed in youth often lasts a lifetime, making the under-25 market a goldmine of opportunity for banks and credit unions. The question is: Are you doing enough to earn their trust now? In this engaging session, discover the top ten strategies to connect with young consumers today—before they take their business elsewhere.

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Session - Supervisory
Board and Supervisory Committee Self-Evaluations
Diane Reed, Principle, CU Doctor

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
Separate Registration Required - $75

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Golf
Separate Registration Required - $249

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Reception
We will have an amazing seven piece band (Emerald Empire Band).

7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Dinner

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
25 Ideas that Are Working for Credit Unions in 2025
Frank Diekmann, Cooperator-in-Chief and Co-Founder of CUToday.info

Is your 2025 vision as good as you think it is? As your organization maps out a vision for 2025 and beyond, Frank J. Diekmann offers 25 different big picture and longer range issues that absolutely should be on the agenda of any growth-oriented organization, but often get overlooked as the focus on the short-term creates myopia. This session puts critical matters back on the agenda.

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Closing Remarks
Sydney Seral, Chief Advocacy Officer, The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates

Shari Storm

Shari spent 16 years as an executive at a Seattle credit union, where she oversaw marketing and IT.

Her proudest accomplishments at Verity Credit Union included being named an Innovator of the Decade by Net.Banker, heading up the successful Verity Mom campaign, and participating in Filene's prestigious i3 program.

Her first book, Motherhood is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better Boss was published by St. Martin's Press. With over 20,000 copies sold, it has been translated into Mandarin and purchased for publications in four countries. The book has received tremendous press, including Time and Redbook magazines, Martha Stewart's radio, BusinessWeek online, the Costco Connection and the cover of the Metro News New York, to name a few.

Shari has been named a Woman of Influence by CU Times. She has been featured in American Banker, Credit Union Management, and The CEO Report.

She is now the CEO of Category 6 Consulting, which specializes in developing strategy with a strong focus on culture, marketing, and fintech.

Shari received her undergraduate degree from University of Washington and her MBA from Seattle University.

Shari lives in Edmonds, WA with her three teen daughters, her movie-making husband and a dog named Cedar.

Mike Higgins, Jr.

Mike Higgins, Jr. is a partner in the firm of Mike Higgins & Associates (MHA). His consultants work with clients in the financial services industry. His primary areas of focus are performance management, performance-based compensation, board education, and strategic planning to maximize member value.

Mike is also a Filene Applied Research Advisor. He has presented at numerous Filene events and guest-lectured at the inaugural Center for Performance and Operational Excellence Research Colloquium at Stanford University.

Since 1998, Mike has worked with over 300 community-sized credit unions and banks. Mike has presented his contemporary approach to managing performance to numerous state and national associations. He co-authored the book Performance Compensation for Stakeholders: 14 Prerequisites for Success.

Prior to joining MHA, Mike was a consultant at Deloitte. His areas of focus were business process design and information technology. During his tenure at Deloitte, Mike worked with clients in the financial services, retail, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace and defense, and state government sectors.

Mike received his MBA from the University of Kansas and an undergraduate degree in finance from Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU). While at NWU, Mike was an Academic All-American and was inducted into the NWU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mike is a founding investor in Pacific Enterprise Bank, headquartered in Irvine, CA.

John Lanza

John Lanza is a financial empowerment leader. As the Chief Mammal of Snigglezoo, creator of The Money Mammals and author of The Art of Allowance, John has spent over two decades helping families, businesses, and financial institutions transform their thinking about money.

John’s message transcends traditional financial education. He delves into the psychology of money, exploring how beliefs about wealth shape our choices, fulfillment, and future. Whether you're a corporate leader, financial professional, or educator, John's insights will give you actionable strategies to foster financial confidence and independence at any age.

Jeff Rendel

Jeff Rendel, Certified Speaking Professional, knows the financial services marketplace. With experience as a federal banking regulator, financial services executive, and Congressional lobbyist; he understands the balancing act of safety, soundness, sales, and strategy.

As President of Rising Above Enterprises, Jeff works with financial services providers that want elite and entrepreneurial results in sales, service, and strategy. Each year, he addresses and facilitates for nearly 100 financial institutions and their business partners.

Frank J. Diekmann

Frank J. Diekmann is Cooperator-in-Chief and co-founder of CUToday.info, a digital news and collaboration platform that is now the #1 provider of organic reporting, opinion, analysis, video, and other resources to credit unions.

Prior to founding CUToday.info, Mr. Diekmann founded Credit Union Journal, and prior to that co-founded Credit Union Times. Before covering credit unions, Mr. Diekmann covered the nation’s banking industry. He began his editorial career working as a sports reporter with the Cincinnati Post before making the natural segue into credit unions.

Mr. Diekmann is a frequent speaker, having addressed CU meetings from Sydney to Prague and all of the U.S. He regularly serves as a judge in various organizations’ marketing and awards competitions. He is the only journalist to graduate from the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education program, and is now certified as an International Credit Union Development Educator.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Diekmann is also the author of four books: Cathode Ray’s, The Bawl Game, The Flip Flop and 501 Name Tags: How Everything You Need to Know About Business Can Be Learned in the Trade Show.

Bryan Rutberg

Bryan guides and inspires leaders and their organizations to show love, understanding, and appreciation for their customers to create deeper loyalty, greater market share, and way more fun for everyone.

He enjoyed a 20-year corporate career at Hewlett-Packard, McKinsey & Company, and Microsoft. In roles including sales, marketing, alliance management, executive engagement, and communications, he succeeded by using outstanding messaging and communications skills to build relationships and generate results. His corporate years reached their peak running Microsoft’s renowned Executive Briefing Center, then as speechwriter and executive communications lead for the Microsoft Corporate VP running worldwide Customer Support.

As a “Hippie with an MBA™,” Bryan unites the power of love with the profit motive to increase customer retention and activation, making the most of every transaction and turning customers into Lustomers™. His messages resonate across industries with clients ranging from Microsoft, Comcast/NBC, and Boeing, to small and mid-sized companies in fields spanning from real estate to professional services to technology and nonprofits.

Bryan is proudly a member of the National Speakers Association (and Immediate Past President of his local chapter), the Professional Speechwriters Association, and the Association for Talent Development. The Seattle home he shares with his wife of 30 years is an urban oasis, a food forest, home to two crazy dachshunds, and a regular venue for dinner parties and great conversation.

Kelsie Davis

My name if Kelsie Davis and I am so excited to join the LSCU team! I started my credit union journey in 2016 as a teller and worked through different opportunities such as branch operations and lending before landing in compliance. I have enjoyed growing in compliance over the past 4 years and finding my career passion. I enjoy the ins and outs of compliance and knowing that every case is different. I am looking forward to deepening my knowledge and experience in compliance and working to support and help other credit units put their best foot forward.

I am a graduate of the University of Montevallo, where I majored in Social Science. Additionally, I will have completed my MBA from the University of Montevallo in May 2023!

Outside of compliance and grad school, I love vintage clothing, particularly 70s-90s era clothing. This passion has turned into a reselling hobby. I also enjoy spending weekends at Barber Motor Sports Park cheering friends on at track days, watching my husband drive his 1995 turbo Mazda Miata, and getting as many rides around the track as I can. This hobby has taken us all over the country, which lends itself to my love of travel. My favorite places to travel to are anywhere with mountains, but my happy place is the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. I also love lazy days at home playing video games with my husband Dylan and our Miniature Pincher/Chihuahua, Buttons.

Sydney Seral

Sydney Seral serves The League of Credit Unions as the Chief Advocacy Officer, leading state, federal, regulatory, political, and grassroots advocacy efforts after starting her career with The League as Senior Director of Governmental Affairs for Georgia’s state and federal advocacy initiatives in June of 2020. Prior to joining The League, Sydney worked for the American Chemistry Council in various capacities, including as the Director of Political Mobilization, ACC’s grassroots advocacy department. She represented the chemical and plastics industries across the 13-state Southern Region on both state and federal advocacy initiatives. Before working for the American Chemistry Council, Sydney worked at the Georgia State Senate in various capacities and ran a successful campaign for current Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy, a then first-time candidate from Macon, GA, as well as other Georgia statewide and State Senate campaigns. Sydney enjoys living in Atlanta with her husband JP and 15-pound Cockapoo named Mozzy.