Recognizing the pivotal role of young professionals in shaping the future of credit unions, the MD|DC Credit Union Association established the Miriam Rivera Lieb Emerging Leader Award in 2017. With the generous support of sponsor TruStage, this prestigious program offers unparalleled leadership development and career-building opportunities for one exceptional young professional selected each year.

A cornerstone of the Emerging Leader program is a transformative visit to TruStage’s headquarters, the Lighthouse, in Madison, Wisconsin. Recently, 2023 winner Paul Farrell (Lafayette FCU) and 2024 winner Mike Ches (Baltimore County Employees FCU) joined the Association for an immersive leadership learning experience.

During their visit, Farrell and Ches engaged in insightful discussions with Terrence Williams, President and CEO of TruStage, and Tammy Schultz, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. These industry leaders shared their invaluable perspectives on leadership and career development.

Farrell and Ches also heard from representatives from America’s Credit Unions and Filene Research Institute, attended TruStage’s Fintech Summit and visited the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

“We are incredibly grateful to TruStage for its continued support of this program,” said John Bratsakis, President and CEO of the MD|DC Credit Union Association. “Empowering young professionals with valuable networking experiences and growth opportunities will ensure a strong future for the credit union movement.”

Farrell described the experience as life-changing. “My journey as the 2023 Emerging Leader has been nothing short of transformative. This achievement has not only exposed me to the wealth of opportunities the credit union industry has to offer, but it has also made me feel seen and valued.”

Ches also reflected on his experience, saying, “It has been just over three months since I was honored with the 2024 MD|DC Credit Union Association Miriam Rivera Lieb Emerging Leader Award. Since then, I have felt deep gratitude for both the award and the investment that comes along with it. From executive coaching sessions that have already opened my eyes to new personal insights, to networking dinners with industry veterans who have generously shared their knowledge, this experience is shaping me into a better leader.”

The Emerging Leader Award program is designed to provide unique learning and growth opportunities, including executive coaching, networking experiences, and participation in career-building conferences and events.

For more information about the MD|DC Credit Union Association’s Emerging Leader Award and Young Professionals Network, please visit mddccua.org.