CUES Emerge Five Finalists Named

The 2020 CUES Emerge program is one step closer to identifying the top emerging leaders in the credit union industry.  

Thirty up-and-coming professionals were selected to take part in the program; 24 self-selected into the competition phase to have their submitted business cases reviewed by a panel of judges. The four judges reviewed all entries and identified the top five finalists to participate 
in the online pitch show, powered by Currency. 

We are proud to introduce the five finalists:

  • Eric Christensen, Lending Manager, Dane County Credit Union, Madison, WI

  • Paul Hinrichsen, Product Manager, GTE Financial, Tampa, FL

  • James Hunter, Executive Director, New Orleans Firemen’s FCU, Metairie, LA  

  • Katie Luther, Mortgage Servicing Supervisor, Royal CU, Eau Claire, WI 

  • Lindsay Walker, Executive Assistant, Tampa Bay FCU, Tampa, FL 

John Pembroke, CUES President/CEO said, “Going into our tenth year of our partnership with Currency, we worked to re-imagine our young leader engagement program. From the roots of the Next Top Credit Union Exec competition, we evolved into CUES Emerge. With CUES Emerge, we were able to offer an educational element along with the competition piece to make this a unique offering to the credit union industry.” 

“We purposely designed CUES Emerge to have a significant online component. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to progress with our 30-member cohort who able to learn and share ideas, all in preparation for the business case they were developing,” said Tim McAlpine, Currency President.

 The five Finalists will take the virtual stage and present their business cases during a live online pitch show, on September 16. Tune in to hear from these talented leaders and support their journey. Following the live show, the judges will select the Top Three, and the ultimate 2020 CUES Emerging Leader will be named. 

All members of the Top Three will receive a continuing education and coaching package.

The winner will appear at the CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™, May 16-18, 2021 in Austin, TX, where they will have the opportunity to connect with others in the industry and share their experience.

To follow along with the next stage of the competition, visit CUESEmerge.com.

To learn more about CUES, visit cues.org. To learn more about Currency, visit currencymarketing.ca.

CUES is a Madison, Wisconsin-based, independent, not-for-profit, international membership association for credit union executives. CUES’ mission is to educate and develop credit union CEOs, executives, directors and future leaders.

Currency is a credit union-focused marketing firm. Our unique programs—It’s a Money Thing, CUES Emerge—focus on helping credit unions raise awareness, build relationships and foster financial empowerment with young adults.