The National Credit Union Foundation recently designated 40 credit union leaders, including three local leaders, as Credit Union Development Educators after completing its signature Development Education program. 

Included in this year’s class were:

• Gregg Edwards, Market USA FCU
• Kristin Shultz, Spectra CU
• Sydney Wright, SkyPoint FCU

The DE program is a unique, transformative training experience that 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. 

This graduating class joins more than 3,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have previously received their CUDE (Credit Union Development Educator) designation. 

“The needs and expectations of consumers may have evolved since DE was established 42 years ago. But the opportunity for credit unions to leverage the cooperative principles to meet those needs—to work with compassion to understand their communities, and develop solutions that have a positive, measurable impact on them—remains” said Foundation’s Chief Program Officer and DE Director, Tobi Weingart.