Northwest Young Professionals Network
2020 YP Leads Program
This opportunity is open to NWCUA member credit union employees in Idaho, Oregon, or Washington who identify as young professionals. There is no formal age restriction for applicants. Under a partnership with the Emerging Credit Union Leaders of Alaska, young professionals from affiliated Alaska credit unions are also eligible to apply.
20 YP Leads will receive a complimentary registration to this year’s MAXX Annual Convention, taking place Sept 29 – Oct. 1 in Portland. Travel and lodging costs will be the responsibility of the YP Leads’ credit unions, with need-based scholarships available. In addition to attending MAXX, YP Leads will serve as ambassadors for the Credit Union Movement over the following year, by:
- Playing a key role in building a growing network of engaged peers by participating in pre- and post-MAXX conference calls and other opportunities to strengthen relationships and share ideas
- Committing to serve as a strong credit union advocate, either by attending a 2020 advocacy event or championing local advocacy efforts within their organization
- Becoming involved with their local Young Professional Group or Credit Union Chapter
Please note that to be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to submit a video application. Professional videography skills are not required! The purpose is to help the Selection Committee get to know applicants. Please reach out to Carmen Vigil with questions or concerns. If you would like to apply but feel unequipped to create a video, alternate arrangements can be made.
Submissions will be reviewed by YP Champions – A group comprised of leaders from YP groups across the Northwest. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and representing credit unions of all asset sizes and geographic location. Judging weight may be given to ensure a diverse representation of YP Leads. A maximum of 2 YP Leads will be accepted per credit union.
YP Champions
Champions, Leaders, Trailblazers – These individuals have established communities for young professionals in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Scroll down to learn more about the individuals leading the YP Movement throughout the Northwest.
Linda Crane
Executive Administrative Assistant • Global Credit Union
I am a “people helping people” kind of girl and that aligns perfectly with what credit unions do every day. Whether it is helping through financial education, offering lower loan rates or paying higher dividends, the goal of credit unions is taking time with our members to truly improve the financial picture for their future. I love that I get to be a part of that by supporting my co-workers so they can help our members to grow their dreams, inspire new members to join and participate in serving our community! It’s such a rewarding experience to be a part of this cooperative movement!
Jake Denning
Financial Advisor • Beehive FCU
My favorite part about working for a credit union is that I have the opportunity to make a positive difference in our member’s lives on a daily basis. I love the credit union motto of “people helping people”.
Nick Fugal
CFO • Clarity CU
My favorite thing about credit unions is their mission to help those who can’t get help elsewhere. I love that we help people who don’t have perfect credit without taking advantage of them by charging usurious rates like other predatory lenders.
Rachel Guyselman
Vice President of Operations • Tongass FCU
My favorite thing about working in the credit union movement is the shared desire of all credit union professionals to help others. From helping members find the best financial solution to better their overall lives to assisting fellow credit unions with expanding their services. This is industry truly is a group of individuals coming together to serve and inspire.
Erica Kemp
Employee Education Manager • Credit Union 1
My favorite thing about credit unions is the passion they have for people! Whether it’s sharing in the moment on something exciting a member is going through, showing empathy to a member who has fallen on hard times, or supporting the drive and career development of their employees, credit unions have heart. I’ve been fortunate to “grow up” in an industry that puts people first, uses creative thinking to problem solve and show support for members and employees, and truly works elbow to elbow within the communities they operate in.
Alex Johnson
Member Experience Manager • Sound Credit Union
I love the collaboration of credit unions. It’s incredible to see the impact credit unions can make while working together!
Michael Murdoch
Communications Specialist • Wauna Credit Union
I love working with people. I love working with YPs, leadership, middle-management, frontline, and maintenance. I love working with members, non-members, potential members. I love working with students and city workers and non-profits. I have yet to find another industry so positively involved with people, and within and among the endeavors we seek and love.
Regional YP Groups
We’re working in collaboration with young professional groups across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to unite the future leaders of the Credit Union Movement. Find out more about the region’s YP groups below.
YCUP Oregon & SW Washington
YCUP was founded by young credit union professionals back in 2008 at the Credit Union Association of Oregon’s (now Northwest Credit Union Association) Annual Meeting. This passionate and dedicated crew believes that the credit union movement is deserving of youthful innovation and impact. We are the future, and the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
YCUP Board Members
Michael Murdoch, President
Alicia Finch, Secretary, Treasurer
Hayley Andrews, Vice President of Communication
Kim Preston, Director of Events
Nick Hellmich, Recruitment Officer
Edina Rizvic, Member
Shannon Cahoon, Member
Evan Strandberg, Member
Toni Mathews, Member
Crystal Rustad, Member
CLIMB Idaho
Climb Idaho seeks to establish and grow the credit union movement among young professionals across the state. Inspired by the Crash Movement by The Cooperative Trust/Filene Research Institute, Climb Idaho began in 2014 when nine credit union employees from across the state were brought together with help from the Idaho Credit Union League. The goal was and remains to discuss and collaborate on ways Idaho can increase engagement and enthusiasm among young professionals to strengthen retention and increase the profile of the credit union movement not only within Idaho, but across the country in coordination with other young professional networks.
YCUP Greater Seattle Area
Young Credit Union Professionals of the Greater Seattle Area was founded in 2016. The group’s mission is to promote interest, cooperation, and education among emerging credit union professionals who consider themselves young at heart.
Contact YCUP Greater Seattle Area
Inland Northwest YCUP
The Inland Northwest YCUP works with young credit union professionals in the Inland Northwest to provide real world skills that will help move their careers, credit unions and our industry forward. We focus on leadership, education, advocacy and putting our philosophy into action. We work together to build and sustain a strong network of young credit union professionals that are ready and willing to step up when their members, their credit union or their community calls.
Emerging Credit Union Leaders of Alaska (ECULA)
ECULA-Emerging Credit Union Leaders of Alaska seeks to remove the geographical barriers of the great land of Alaska, to bring together emerging credit union leaders within the state for the good of the movement. ECULA meets monthly via virtual channel to provide a space for young professionals to discuss the industry, their interests, network from a distance, and learn from guest speakers on a variety of topics. ECULA has successfully worked with the volunteer Alaska Credit Union League to provide additional, in person, training and scholarship opportunities.
Career Development — NWCUA Programs
Emerging Leaders
The Northwest Credit Union Association and the DDJ Myers Advancing Leadership Institute are partnering to present a career development program to help you find your leadership voice. The program includes nine days of face-to-face training with coaching and mentoring in between. Participants are guided through project work that will benefit their credit unions, and their professional growth. Training will focus on strategy, assessment skills, leadership models, and the language of leadership.
Chapters
The Association’s Chapter program promotes unity among credit unions in a local area through communication, networking, training, and participation in community, state, and national projects that support the cooperative spirit of the Credit Union Movement.
NWCUA Events Calendar
Check out the NWCUA Events Calendar for more information about upcoming webinars, training, councils, and more.
Career Development — NW & Beyond
Numerous career development resources are available to you on a regional and national level. Follow the links below to find out more about how you can advance your star in the Credit Union Movement.
Western CUNA Management School
For more than 55 years, Western CUNA Management School has helped to transform students into passionate strategic leaders through rigorous college level education. The school is targeted to managers and upper level operational staff. College credit is available after completion of the three-year program for those who are interested.
Credit Union Development Educator (DE) Program
The National Credit Union Foundation’s DE program is a transformative Credit Union Training Program for Credit Union Professionals. The week-long training provides critical lessons in cooperative principles, credit union philosophy and international development issues while incorporating challenges credit unions face today.
CUNA Professional Development Online (CPD Online)
Through a partnership with an award-winning learning management system, CPD Online is a centralized training hub for your credit union to track measurable and encouraging independent learning.
CUES Next Top Credit Union Executive
This annual contest shines a light on the top up and coming talent in the credit union industry. Each year, more than $50,000 in prizes are awarded plus the title of CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec.
Filene i3 program
Filene’s renowned i3 (Ideas, Innovation, Implementation) program brings together the best and the brightest next generation of credit union leaders and sets them loose on the consumer finance industry’s most flummoxing problems. i3 counts more than 200 innovations centered around building operational efficiency, generating loans, mobilizing savings, reaching communities, and strengthening membership.
The Cooperative Trust – Upcoming Crash Events
Crash events are specific for young credit union professionals which are planned alongside an existing credit union conference. A big part of these meetups is ‘Crash’ sessions, in which industry mentors who lead our groups in open conversations around topics such as leadership, social responsibility, innovation, and more. Past guests have included current and former CUNA CEO’s; Jim Nussle and Bill Cheney, NCUF Executive Director; Gigi Hyland, Filene CEO; Mark Meyer and many more!
Scholarships
Continued education and training of credit union professionals and Directors helps keep the Credit Union Movement vibrant and competitive in the financial marketplace. We understand this can take a significant commitment of time and money.
The Northwest Credit Union Foundation provides scholarships awarding up to $1,500 per year for selected applicants.
RESOURCES
CULAC Kit – Resources related to CULAC fundraising.
LEAP Pillars – Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Philosophy in Action are recommended areas of focus for chapters and other micro-communities to tailor programming around. Together, these pillars offer tangible opportunities for credit union professionals to have an impact on the broader CU movement.
#CUObsessed – #CUobsessed is about telling people the good news about why credit unions are different and the better choice for consumers!
Our Sponsor
Thank You To Our Year Long Supporting Partner:
Want to Get Involved?
For more information about how to become involved with the Northwest Young Professionals Network, contact Carmen Vigil at [email protected] or at 206.340.4817.
Connect With Us
AVP, Enterprise Engagement Resources
Direct: 503.350.2206
Toll Free: 800.995.9064 x206
[email protected]
Director, Cooperative Momentum
Direct: 206.340.4817
Toll Free: 800.995.9064 x122
[email protected]