 The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is proud to announce that Jack Chawla, VP of Product Marketing at interface.ai, will be joining us as a keynote panelist for two critical discussions on AI-driven lending and the future of digital banking.
About Jack Chawla Jack Chawla is an industry leader in product marketing, AI, and communication technologies, currently serving as VP of Product Marketing at interface.ai. With extensive experience at Eltropy, Glia, WebEx, SAP, eGain, and Avaya, Jack has a deep understanding of AI-powered financial solutions and how they are shaping the future of banking. His expertise in product management and innovation makes him a valuable voice in conversations about AI, automation, and digital transformation. Session Topics Jack will be speaking on two panels: 1. Keynote Panel Discussion - AI & Automation in Lending: Balancing Speed, Risk & Member Trust As AI transforms lending, financial institutions must balance efficiency, compliance, and member trust. This panel will explore how credit unions can leverage AI-driven decision-making while maintaining transparency, regulatory alignment, and strong member relationships. 2. Panel Discussion - The Next Frontier in Digital Banking: Meeting Gen Z and Millennial Expectations Younger generations expect seamless, digital-first banking experiences. Jack will join this discussion on how credit unions can adapt mobile banking, payments, and personalization strategies to attract and retain Gen Z and Millennial members while staying true to their core values. Join us at CUGI 2025 on April 1-2 in Oak Brook, IL, to gain valuable insights from Jack Chawla and other industry leaders. 📅 Register today!
0 Comments
 The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is proud to welcome Steel River Systems, LLC as a Bronze Sponsor for our 2025 event!
Steel River Systems is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that specializes in distressed asset acquisition and financial recovery solutions. With a strong commitment to strength, integrity, and results, their team works closely with credit unions, lenders, and financial institutions to develop customized strategies that maximize asset value and mitigate risk. With deep industry expertise, Steel River Systems provides critical solutions in:
As a veteran-owned company, they bring a mission-driven approach to the financial services industry, helping organizations navigate complex financial challenges with ethical, strategic, and results-oriented solutions. We are excited to have Steel River Systems join us at CUGI 2025 and look forward to the insights they will share with the credit union community. 🔗 Learn more about Steel River Systems: steelriversystems.com Join us for the CU Growth & Innovation Summit on April 1-2, 2025, in Oak Brook, IL! 📌 Register today!  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is pleased to announce that Fred Campobasso, Chief Lending Officer at Great Lakes Credit Union, will be a Peer-to-Peer Discussion Moderator at this year’s event. With over two decades of experience in credit union lending, Fred brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this critical discussion on scaling loan growth while mitigating risk.
About Fred Campobasso As Chief Lending Officer at Great Lakes Credit Union, Fred Campobasso oversees commercial, consumer, and mortgage lending, along with collections. His leadership extends beyond his professional role, as he actively volunteers in the credit union community, serving on the Board of Member Student Lending and the Advisory Board of TruTreasury. Fred is deeply committed to financial empowerment, supporting initiatives such as food drives, financial literacy programs, and fair lending practices for underserved communities. A firm believer in responsible lending as a path to generational wealth, Fred holds a BA in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s Certificate in Strategy and Execution from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. About the Session Fred Campobasso will moderate the Scaling Loan Growth While Mitigating Risk peer-to-peer discussion. Expanding loan portfolios is essential for credit union growth, but maintaining strong risk controls and compliance is just as critical. In this session, industry leaders will explore data-driven underwriting strategies, risk management best practices, and optimizing loan performance in a competitive market. Attendees will gain actionable insights from high-performing credit unions that have successfully navigated these challenges. Join Us at CUGI 2025 Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Fred Campobasso and other industry experts at the CU Growth & Innovation Summit on April 1-2, 2025, in Oak Brook, IL. Gain valuable insights, network with top credit union leaders, and drive innovation in your lending strategy. Register Today!  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is thrilled to announce that Meggan Schwirtz, Chief Experience Officer at St. Cloud Financial Credit Union, will be a keynote panelist at this year’s event! Meggan brings over 15 years of experience in the credit union industry and is a dedicated leader in customer experience, workplace culture, and financial service innovation.
About Meggan Schwirtz Since 2022, Schwirtz has served as Chief Experience Officer at St. Cloud Financial Credit Union (SCFCU), where she oversees branch operations, the Virtual Team, and the Marketing Department. She is a driving force behind SCFCU’s commitment to a strong workplace culture, also leading the Social Media Team, Community Events Team, and the Changemaker Award program—recognizing everyday heroes in local communities. Beyond her professional role, Schwirtz is an active mentor and leader in financial services and leadership development. She serves as Finance Director for the Vennard College Alumni Association, a board member for the MN Crypto Council, and Lead Mentor for the Power of People Leadership Institute, working with junior high school students on leadership skills. She is also involved in the 1-to-1 Woman Mentoring Program, supporting African American women in the credit union industry. Recognized for her contributions, Schwirtz was named the 2024 “Top Female CXO” by Women We Admire Magazine. About the Session: The Next Frontier in Digital Banking As digital-first expectations continue to rise, how can credit unions evolve while staying true to their core values? In the Keynote Panel Discussion – The Next Frontier in Digital Banking: Meeting Gen Z and Millennial Expectations, Schwirtz and fellow industry leaders will explore:
This session is a must-attend for executives looking to enhance digital banking strategies and drive growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Join Us at CUGI 2025! 📍 Event Details: 📅 April 1-2, 2025 📍 Oak Brook, IL Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Meggan Schwirtz and other industry leaders. Register Today!  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is thrilled to announce that Chase Larson, EVP and Chief Lending Officer at St. Cloud Financial Credit Union, will be a keynote panelist for two dynamic discussions at this year’s event. With nearly two decades of experience in finance, credit unions, and community banking, Chase brings unparalleled expertise in risk management, member business lending, digital finance, and fintech integration.
With nearly two decades of experience in finance, credit unions, and community banking, Chase is recognized for his strategic approach to risk management, member business lending, and portfolio growth. His ability to integrate cutting-edge financial technologies while fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability makes him an invaluable voice at this year’s event. About Chase Larson Chase Larson is a visionary leader in the credit union space, bringing deep expertise in digital finance, risk management, and fintech integration. As EVP & Chief Lending Officer at SCFCU, he leads strategic lending initiatives that drive growth, efficiency, and member-centric innovation. He is also a board member of DaLand CUSO and the TriUnity Foundation, further contributing to the advancement of credit unions. In his role, Chase has pioneered the development of the CU-Digital Asset Vault, a groundbreaking solution that positions SCFCU at the forefront of digital asset management. His leadership has also been instrumental in launching key initiatives, including: ✔️ Business Services Strategy – Enhancing lending solutions for business members. ✔️ SBA Initiative – Expanding small business lending opportunities. ✔️ Extra Mile Loan Program – An innovative, insured loan program tailored to meet unique member needs. Beyond lending, Chase is deeply committed to leadership development and fostering a team culture that drives strategic innovation. His expertise in aligning credit union products with emerging fintech infrastructure, such as DaLand’s R Path, ensures SCFCU remains competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Keynote Panel Discussions At CUGI 2025, Chase will lend his expertise to two critical panel discussions shaping the future of credit unions: 🔹 Technology-Driven Growth: How to Future-Proof Your Credit Union As technology rapidly evolves, credit unions must embrace innovation to remain competitive. This keynote panel will explore emerging technologies, strategic investments, and operational shifts that are essential for future-proofing credit unions in a fast-changing landscape. 🔹 AI & Automation in Lending: Balancing Speed, Risk & Member Trust AI and automation are revolutionizing the lending process, but striking a balance between efficiency and member trust is critical. This panel will delve into AI-driven lending, risk management, and compliance while ensuring a human-centered approach that fosters transparency and member confidence. Join Us at CUGI 2025! 📅 Date: April 1-2, 2025 📍 Location: Oak Brook, IL 🔗 Register Today! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top industry leaders and connect with credit union executives, fintech innovators, and technology providers who are shaping the future of financial services.  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) 2025 is excited to announce that Ryan McEleney, Chief People & Culture Officer at American Eagle Financial Credit Union, will be a keynote panelist at this year’s event. With a distinguished career in financial services, HR, and business intelligence, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge on leadership, innovation, and digital transformation in the credit union industry. His expertise will be invaluable as we explore how credit unions can adapt to meet the evolving expectations of Gen Z and Millennial members.
As the financial services landscape continues to shift, credit unions must find innovative ways to provide seamless, digital-first banking experiences while maintaining their core values of trust, service, and community. At CUGI 2025, Ryan will join other industry leaders to discuss emerging trends, mobile banking advancements, and strategies to enhance member engagement for younger generations. About Ryan McEleney Ryan McEleney is an experienced leader who has spent over two decades shaping the financial services sector. He currently serves as Chief People & Culture Officer at American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU), the largest full-service community credit union headquartered in Connecticut. Under his leadership, his team integrates business intelligence, HR, learning & development, and process excellence—a unique approach that aligns talent development with data-driven decision-making to create a strong organizational culture. Before joining AEFCU in 2021, Ryan spent nearly 20 years at a large regional bank, starting as a part-time teller and working his way up to Senior Vice President of HR Analytics, Incentives, and Technology. An early advocate for leveraging people data to improve workplace culture and performance, Ryan has shared his expertise across North America, helping organizations harness data to empower their teams. About the Keynote Panel Discussion Ryan McEleney will be a featured panelist in the keynote discussion “The Next Frontier in Digital Banking: Meeting Gen Z and Millennial Expectations.” This session will dive into one of the most critical challenges facing credit unions today: how to attract and retain younger generations in an era where digital convenience and personalized banking experiences are paramount. What to Expect from This Panel: ✅ Insights into Mobile Banking & Payments – Understanding how younger members prefer to interact with financial institutions and what services they expect. ✅ Personalization & AI-Driven Engagement – How credit unions can use data analytics to create tailored experiences for their members. ✅ Maintaining Core Values in a Digital World – Strategies for balancing innovation with trust, service, and community-focused banking. ✅ The Future of Digital Transformation – What credit unions must do today to stay competitive in the evolving financial landscape. With Ryan’s unique background in people strategy, culture transformation, and financial services, his insights will be invaluable for leaders looking to position their credit unions for long-term success in the digital age. Join Us at CUGI 2025! Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Ryan McEleney and other industry leaders as they share their expertise on digital banking, innovation, and the future of credit unions. CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) 📅 April 1-2, 2025 📍 Oak Brook, IL Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of credit unions! 👉 Register Today!  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is excited to announce that Matt Monge, Chief Experience & Strategy Officer at Missouri Central Credit Union, will be a keynote panelist at this year’s event. A leader in strategy, branding, and organizational culture, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge on how credit unions can evolve to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing financial landscape.
About Matt Monge A recognized expert in growth and transformation in the financial industry, Matt Monge has spent nearly two decades driving innovation and cultural change. A Credit Union Times Trailblazer 40 Below honoree, his thought leadership has been featured in Training Magazine’s Top 125, CU Insight, and Global Workforce Transformation’s 'Top Future of Work Voices You Should Know.' His expertise has also been cited by Inc.com and Business Insider. Matt’s teams have won multiple branding awards from CUES, CUNA, and MAC, including CUES Golden Mirror for Brand of the Year. With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, Matt continues to be a driving force in reshaping the credit union industry. About the Session: The Next Frontier in Digital Banking Millennials and Gen Z have reshaped the way financial institutions approach banking. Their demand for seamless, digital-first experiences requires credit unions to adapt while maintaining the core values that define them. In this keynote panel discussion, Matt Monge and other industry leaders will dive into mobile banking innovations, personalized financial solutions, and digital engagement strategies that will help credit unions stay competitive and relevant in the digital age. Join Us at CUGI 2025 Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Matt Monge and other industry experts at CUGI, happening April 1-2, 2025, in Oak Brook, IL. Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of credit unions! 🔗 Register Today!  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is thrilled to announce that Darlyne Keller, President/CEO of Rock Valley Credit Union, will be joining us as a Keynote Panelist at the 2025 summit! With a wealth of experience in financial services and a deep understanding of fintech collaboration, Darlyne will share invaluable insights on how credit unions can stay competitive in today’s evolving financial landscape.
About Darlyne Keller Darlyne Keller brings over 25 years of leadership experience in financial services, with a strong focus on organizational transformation, fintech innovation, and strategic talent alignment. As President/CEO of Rock Valley Credit Union, she has successfully implemented technology-driven solutions that enhance efficiency and improve both employee and member engagement. Her expertise in cultural transformation has turned resistant work environments into thriving, high-performing organizations. Holding both a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Organizational Development from Upper Iowa University, Darlyne is also SHRM-CP and PHR certified, with extensive knowledge in human relations systems such as EQi, Predictive Index, and Change Intelligence®. Her leadership is centered on driving growth and fostering a positive, engaged workforce. About the Session: The Future of Fintech Collaboration Darlyne will participate in a high-impact panel discussion titled: "The Future of Fintech Collaboration: How Credit Unions Can Compete with Big Banks." This session will explore the power of fintech partnerships and open banking APIs in helping credit unions innovate and remain competitive. Panelists will share real-world case studies, discuss key challenges, and provide actionable strategies for leveraging technology, expanding services, and driving member engagement in an increasingly digital world. Join Us at CUGI 2025! Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders like Darlyne Keller. The CU Growth & Innovation Summit takes place April 1-2, 2025, in Oak Brook, IL. Register Today!  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is pleased to announce that Raj Rathi, Chief Information Officer at Skyla Credit Union, will be joining us as a Peer-to-Peer Moderator at this year’s event. With extensive expertise in cloud optimization, AI-driven solutions, and fintech integration, Raj brings invaluable insights to help credit unions modernize their operations.
About Raj Rathi As Chief Information Officer at Skyla Credit Union, Raj Rathi has spearheaded several transformative initiatives in cloud computing, AI, and digital banking. His leadership has driven major projects, including a successful credit union merger, the deployment of a modern online banking platform, and the creation of a cloud-native data warehouse powered by Power BI-enabled analytics. Raj is also passionate about education and innovation, having led hands-on AI workshops covering advanced topics such as vector databases, sentiment analysis, and AI-driven document processing. Raj will moderate the peer-to-peer discussion: "How Credit Unions Can Optimize Cloud Solutions for Cost-Effective Operations" In today’s evolving financial landscape, credit unions must leverage fintech partnerships and API integration to enhance digital services, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth. This interactive session will feature real-world examples of how top-performing credit unions successfully implement cloud strategies to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs without compromising security or innovation. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain actionable insights to optimize your credit union’s cloud strategy. 📅 Event Dates: April 1-2, 2025 📍 Location: Oak Brook, IL 🔗 Register today: www.cugrowthsummit.com  The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is pleased to announce that Thomas Sebok, Chief Commercial Banking Officer at Citadel Credit Union, will be moderating a key Peer-to-Peer discussion at the 2025 summit.
Tom will lead the session "Building a Competitive Business Banking Strategy: What Credit Unions Need to Know," where industry leaders will explore strategies for expanding business banking services, optimizing commercial lending, and positioning credit unions as financial partners for businesses of all sizes. Thomas Sebok: An Expert in Business Banking Strategy With over two decades of experience in financial services, Tom is a respected leader in commercial banking. As Chief Commercial Banking Officer at Citadel Credit Union, he focuses on strengthening relationships with business customers and driving commercial growth. Before joining Citadel, Tom was Executive Director - Business Banking at JP Morgan Chase, overseeing business banking expansion in Midtown Manhattan, the firm’s highest-density market. Previously, as EVP - Business Banking Territory Executive at PNC Bank, he led a team of 317 employees across 15 states, developing commercial growth strategies and enhancing customer relationships. Tom’s expertise in business banking, customer experience, and strategic growth aligns perfectly with CUGI’s mission to equip credit unions with actionable strategies for success. What This Peer-to-Peer Session Will Cover Credit unions have a major opportunity to expand in business banking, but competing with traditional banks and fintech firms requires the right strategy, technology, and service offerings. This interactive discussion will explore: ✔ Business Banking Growth Strategies – How credit unions can develop and scale commercial banking services. ✔ Optimizing Commercial Lending – Strategies for structuring competitive loan products. ✔ Leveraging Fintech Partnerships – How credit unions can enhance their business banking technology. ✔ Positioning Credit Unions as Business Financial Partners – Building strong relationships with commercial clients. Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders who have successfully navigated business banking expansion and will leave with practical strategies to implement within their own institutions. Why You Should Attend CUGI 2025 The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is where credit union executives, technology leaders, and industry innovators come together to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in financial services. 📅 Event Details: CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) Date: April 1-2, 2025 Location: Oak Brook, IL Register Today! Join Thomas Sebok and other industry experts as they discuss strategies to strengthen business banking services in the credit union sector. Reserve your spot today! |