Ryan Suttles. Real Estate Specialist II, 
State Employees’ Credit Union, Raleigh, NC, has been named the 2025 CUES Emerge winner.

As one of five finalists, Suttles’ journey began when he was selected into the CUES Emerge program early in 2025. From there, attendees engaged in live online courses and Mastermind sessions, creating project ideas and developing business cases, which were later reviewed by a panel of judges. On October 1, Suttles and the four other finalists presented their projects live during an online pitch show. The event was hosted by Tim McAlpine, CEO of Currency Marketing.

Suttles’ winning business case, The Pipeline-Centered Mortgage Dashboard, outlines an innovative mortgage process that improves employee efficiency and member transparency.

As the winner, Suttles earned a free registration to attend CUES Advanced Management Program and a leadership assessment and coaching from Envision Excellence, an executive coaching and leadership development organization.

Two runners-up

Two other finalists, Jennifer Dray, Director, Sales & Coaching, 
YNCU, Kitchener, ON, and Jessica Smith, AVP, Remote Experience, Unitus Community Credit Union, Portland, OR, were named as runners-up.

Each runner-up earned a 50% scholarship to attend CUES Advanced Management Program delivered online from Cornell University. Additionally, Dray and Smith each earned leadership assessments and coaching from Envision Excellence, an executive coaching and leadership development organization.

The other Finalists taking part in the online pitch show were Latica Battle, Market Manager, 
Ardent Credit Union, Philadelphia, PA, and Charles Bond, Senior Product Specialist, 
Elevations Credit Union, Boulder, CO.

Interested in being a part of next year’s CUES Emerge cohort?

We will be accepting applications for the 2026 CUES Emerge program in January.

CUES Emerge was created to offer free professional development to the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. Participants who complete the course work and business case earn the Certified Credit Union Manager (CCM) designation in recognition of their commitment to their career, credit union and the movement.

Deepen knowledge through connections with subject matter experts and industry peers

Improve your ability to understand and develop strategic alignment in your organization

Examine issues facing your credit union and ask the right questions to identify the core problem

Research, develop and write a formal business case

Increase your impact through enhanced presentation and speaking skills

Learn to communicate ideas more effectively to senior leaders

Earn a designation

All participants that successfully complete the online courses, Mastermind sessions and a business case will receive a Certified Credit Union Manager designation.

Be recognized

Five finalists will be announced in August and move forward with the competition phase of CUES Emerge. These five will receive coaching and present their business case to our judging panel and a live online audience. The top three will receive further education opportunities and coaching.

What’s new with CUES Emerge?