
Join your CCUA credit union peers for the 2025 CU Accelerate Conference in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, famously known as the “City by the Sea.” Set against the stunning backdrop of coastal charm and historic grandeur, this conference promises to fuel ideas and spark new directions for credit unions in 2025 and beyond.
The CU Accelerate website provides full details on the agenda, speakers, accommodations, and registration. Plus, check out recommendations for local activities and dining to make the most of your time in Newport. The website will be updated regularly with the latest speaker announcements and agenda highlights.
What to Expect: CU Accelerate 2025 brings together industry experts and thought leaders with a speaker lineup designed to ignite creativity, inspire meaningful conversations, and provide actionable insights. Attendees will have access to a packed agenda, including inspiring keynote sessions, dynamic panels, and fun opportunities to connect with peers.
Title Sponsor: TruStage, our Title Sponsor, along with other leading sponsors, will be on-site to showcase innovative products and services tailored to the credit union industry’s unique needs.
Discover Newport: Experience Newport’s famed cliff walks, historical mansions, and vibrant waterfront—a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration awaits at CU Accelerate 2025!
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, drive new innovations, and empower your credit union's journey toward excellence in member service.
CU Accelerate 2025 Registration Options:
- Credit Union Attendee: $725 per person
- Small Credit Union Attendee (for credit unions with assets under $200 million): $550 per person
- Young Professional (YP) Attendee: $550 per person
Tickets include access to all Accelerate-related conference materials, general sessions, lunches, receptions, and meals for the attendee.
- Guest Tickets: $395 per person
Includes Accelerate-related meals, receptions, and all breaks for a guest of a credit union attendee.
Registration Deadline
All tickets must be secured by Monday, April 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Please indicate any dietary, health, or mobility accommodations when completing registration.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be emailed to Janelle Mullen at jmullen@ccua.org. Full refunds are available if received by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after this date. Substitute attendees are welcome anytime.
Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa
Located on the Newport waterfront, the Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa offers easy access to the city’s top attractions, including vineyards, historic mansions, the Cliff Walk, and Bowen’s Wharf.
Guest Room Rate: $319 per night (CU Accelerate tickets do not include room accommodations)
- Complimentary in-room internet
- Access to fitness and business centers
- Discounted valet parking rates for CCUA guests
- Additional luxury amenities available
The special room rate is available two days before and after the conference, based on availability.
Reservation Details:
Book your stay online through our exclusive link for the CCUA CU Accelerate 2025 Conference. For faster check-in, guests are encouraged to join Marriott Bonvoy and enjoy perks like Mobile Check-in and Mobile Key access.
Reservation Deadline: April 17, 2025
Reserve Your Discounted Stay at Newport Marriott

Friday, May 9, 2025
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM: Registration
East Foyer
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Welcome
Main Ballroom
Ronald McLean, President & CEO
Cooperative Credit Union Association
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Opening Keynote
Main Ballroom
Leadership Lessons Learned from the World Cup
Travis Thomas, Entrepreneur, Leadership Expert, Author, and Founder of Live Yes
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch
Atrium
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: General Session
Main Ballroom
The Demand for Skilled Talent
Emily Neill, Senior Managing Director at Robert Half Talent Solutions
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Networking Break with Sponsors
East Foyer
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: General Session
Main Ballroom
Generative AI Trends in 2025 & Applications for Credit Unions
Karan Kashyap, Co-founder & CEO of Posh
4:00 PM: Hotel Check-In
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Welcome Reception
Grand Atrium
Saturday, May 10, 2025
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast
Atrium
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Keynote Session
Main Ballroom
Industry Economic Update & Outlook
Steven Rick, Chief Economist at TruStage
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Networking Break with Sponsors
East Foyer
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: General Session
Main Ballroom
Changing Lives, One Decision at a Time: The LetMeDoIt Story
Amit & Angad Sahgal, Founders of LetMeDoIt
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch
Atrium
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Panel Discussion
Main Ballroom
Facilitator:
Sam Plester, from Mission Brands Consulting
Panel:
Chris Parker from Lighthouse, Larissa Thurston from Jeanne d'Arc, Chris Gomez from Heritage Family Credit Union
More session details coming soon
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Networking Break with Sponsors
East Foyer
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM : Closing Keynote
Main Ballroom
Bet On Yourself
Molly Grantham, Emmy-Winning Journalist, Author, and Global Speaker
Welcome to CU Accelerate, the event that unites credit union professionals and top industry speakers. This exclusive gathering offers sponsors unmatched visibility and access to over 200 credit union leaders and decision through dedicated networking sessions, meals, and an engaging opening reception.
The CCUA extends its gratitude to the sponsors supporting CU Accelerate 2025. Click on any sponsor logo below to learn more about their offerings. Check back soon for our full list of sponsors!
Interested in having your company featured in Newport, Rhode Island at CU Accelerate? Email dmartino@ccua.org or jmullen@ccua.org for more details on how to get involved.
Title Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Sponsors














Travis Thomas
Founder of Live Yes: Entrepreneur, Leadership Expert, Author, Keynote Speaker, and Improv Master
Opening Keynote Session
Friday, May 9th at 11:30 am
Leadership Teamwork, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity
Travis Thomas is an entrepreneur, leadership expert, author, keynote speaker, team developer, and master of improvisation. As the founder of Live Yes, And, he empowers individuals and teams to unlock higher levels of success by transforming their mindsets. Through his work, Travis inspires audiences to get "UNSTUCK," emphasizing the power of purpose, authenticity, and collaboration in driving optimal results.
Travis has worked with elite sports teams, including the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Georgia Football, and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, as well as corporations worldwide seeking to cultivate high-performance mindsets. Currently, he partners with FC Dallas and the St. Louis University Men’s Soccer Team while coaching professional players globally.
An accomplished author, Travis has written 3 Words for Getting Unstuck and Confidence is Overrated, sharing practical insights on personal growth and leadership.
Emily Neill
Senior Managing Director at Robert Half
Keynote Session
Friday, May 9th at 2:00 pm
The Demand for Skilled Talent
Emily Neill is a Senior Managing Director at Robert Half Executive Search, with over 30 years of experience in leadership and consulting across nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She specializes in placing top-tier candidates in critical roles, including CFOs, CEOs, and executive directors, for clients across diverse industries.
Previously, Emily served as president of Junior Achievement of Northern New England, focused on financial literacy for K-12 students. Her career includes leadership roles at Constellation NewEnergy, a Fortune 150 company, and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, where she built a broad network across private, public, and government sectors. With expertise spanning hospitality, healthcare, and energy, Emily is a trusted advisor for organizations seeking transformative leadership.
Karan Kashyap
CEO & Co-Founder of Posh
Keynote Session
Friday, May 9th at 3:30 pm
Generative AI Trends in 2025 & Applications for Credit Unions
Karan Kashyap is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Posh AI. As CEO, he has helped lead Posh to more than 100 credit union and bank clients nationwide. He has an employee count of over 70 team members, over $45M in investments raised to date, and industry coverage by brands such as Gartner, Forbes, and VentureBeat.
Karan was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for 2023 and the Forbes Technology Council. Prior to founding Posh in 2018, Karan earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from MIT, focusing on computer science and artificial intelligence. For his research, he was named a Siebel Scholar.
Steven Rick
Chief Economist at TruStage
Keynote Session
Saturday, May 10th at 9:00 am
Economic Outlook and its Impact on Credit Unions
Steven Rick is the director and chief economist at TruStage™, where he leads strategic research, analysis, and forecasting for the financial services industry, focusing on the credit union market. His insights help bridge the connections between the economy, financial services, and organizational planning. Steven authors the Credit Union Trends Report, a monthly economic update for the credit union movement, and has published a textbook on asset-liability management.
With over two decades of experience as senior economist for America’s Credit Unions, Steven also chairs the board of the University of Wisconsin Credit Union, a $5 billion institution. He is a senior lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching courses in money, banking, and macroeconomics, and facilitates the CUNA Management School’s Stanford Bank Game simulation.
Amit & Angad Sahgal
Founders of LetMeDoIt
Keynote Session
Saturday, May 10th at 10:30 am
Changing Lives, One Decision at a Time
Amit Sahgal is a purpose-driven innovator and advocate for inclusive technology. As the co-founder of LetMeDoIt, he works to empower individuals with disabilities through economic engagement, equitable healthcare, and social inclusion. Drawing on his distinguished career as a senior executive at The Coca-Cola Company, Amit blends global business expertise with a passion for creating meaningful social impact.
Under his leadership, LetMeDoIt has formed strategic partnerships with managed care organizations, financial institutions, and direct service providers, building a robust support system for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. His work exemplifies the power of purposeful action in fostering independence, confidence, and dignity for millions.
Angad Sahgal is a self-advocate, entrepreneur, and community leader redefining possibilities for individuals with disabilities. As the founder of LetMeDoIt, the first supported decision-making platform, Angad empowers individuals to make informed, independent choices that foster inclusion, economic engagement, and social connection. His work demonstrates that empowering people with disabilities is not only just but also an essential driver of innovation and opportunity.
Angad’s lived experience fuels his mission to break barriers and challenge stereotypes. Under his leadership, LetMeDoIt became one of the first companies led by a person with an intellectual disability to graduate from Techstars Impact and to be showcased in the Consumer Technology Association’s Eureka Innovation for All Startups at CES. A senior in Georgia State University’s IDEAL program, a black belt in karate, and Georgia’s Youth Ambassador for Supported Decision Making, Angad inspires others with his determination and vision to create a world where everyone belongs and thrives.
Molly Grantham
4x Emmy-Winning Journalist, Author, and Global Speaker
Closing Keynote Session
Saturday, May 10th at 2:30 pm
Bet On Yourself
Molly Grantham is a highly acclaimed global speaker and 4x-Emmy-winning journalist known for guiding impactful conversations. With a 25+-year career in television news, she has interviewed over 15,000 individuals and connects deeply with diverse audiences.
An accomplished author of three books, she brings her insights to life on the page, further enhancing her impactful keynotes. Her most recent venture, the "Bet On Yourself Summit," empowers participants to turn failures into success through a unique master class experience. Molly’s client roster includes Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola and Bank of America, where her presentations are celebrated for their relatable insights and actionable takeaways. A mother of three, Molly has a remarkable ability to capture attention and inspire transformation in her audience.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Opening Keynote Session: Leadership Lessons Learned from the World Cup
Travis Thomas, Founder of Live Yes: Entrepreneur, Leadership Expert, Author, Keynote Speaker, and Improv Master
There is no bigger sporting event than the World Cup. Every four years the world gathers to see who can claim the title of the best soccer nation in the world. As the Leadership and Team Dynamics Coach for the US Men’s National Soccer Team, Travis got a front-row seat from the locker room, to the training ground, to the sidelines to witness what it takes to create a World Cup mindset and culture. In this interactive and experiential session, Travis will share three key leadership ideas learned from his three years with team, and how they can be applied to your professional and personal life. Whether you are a professional athlete, a corporate professional, or working to be more professional in your personal life - these ideas in this session are applicable to everyone.
Keynote Session: The Demand for Skilled Talent
Emily Neill, Senior Managing Director at Robert Half
Dive into the current hiring landscape and recruitment trends that are shaping industries nationwide. Discover the challenges employers face in attracting top talent, strategies for effective succession planning, and approaches to building robust talent pipelines. This session will also provide data-driven insights into the most in-demand roles and explore how managers are navigating skilled labor shortages in critical areas, with a dedicated Q&A segment.
Keynote Session: Generative AI Trends in 2025 & Applications for Credit Unions
Karan Kashyap, Co-founder & CEO of Posh AI
Discover how generative AI is reshaping the credit union industry, offering new ways to enhance member experiences, streamline operations, and empower employees with advanced tools. This session will explore the latest AI trends for 2025, showcase real-world applications, and provide actionable strategies for credit unions to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. Gain insights into leveraging AI as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and member satisfaction in the current credit union landscape.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Keynote Session: U.S. Economic Outlook & its Impact on Credit Unions
Steven Rick, Chief Economist at TruStage
The U.S. economy is experiencing historic demand and supply shocks leading to the highest inflation in 40 years. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates at the fastest pace in 40 years. What will higher interest rates do to the economy in 2024 and beyond? Are fundamental changes in the jobs market apt to cause long-term labor shortages and wage pressures? Explore the possible paths of the economy and what impact it will have on credit union balance sheets and income statements for the next two years.
Keynote Session: Changing Lives, One Decision at a Time
Amit & Angad Sahgal, Founders of LetMeDoIt
Discover the inspiring journey of LetMeDoIt through the eyes of Angad Sahgal, the first founder with an intellectual disability to graduate from Techstars, and his cofounder, Amit Sahgal. Born from Angad's personal experiences and vision for a more inclusive world, LetMeDoIt is transforming lives by empowering individuals with disabilities to embrace independence and economic empowerment. This heartfelt session delves into the challenges, triumphs, and unwavering determination that shaped the platform’s mission to foster inclusion and open doors for millions.
Closing Keynote Session: Bet On Yourself
Molly Grantham, 4x Emmy-Winning Journalist and Author
Close the conference with a dynamic hour that will leave you thinking, adopting new winning practices for a team, and laughing at the reality life can throw. You'll walk out with specific takeaways on how action creates opportunities, and the power in looking through the windshield (not the rearview). We'll also walk through a 3-word mantra to keep in your mind as a North Star when navigating relationships: A great tool to help with effective communication and cultivate a culture of collaboration. Finally, we'll hit on a life concept Molly jokingly refers to as, "Loose T-Shirts." She'll help guide each of us as individuals to ignore the noise, keep the focus, and find high-term success. There is power in the journey, and with 27-years of public scrutiny under her belt leading multimillion dollar live broadcast shows, her suggestions on staying elastic are superb. Wins aren't just about individual growth, but a cornerstone for organizations to flourish.