APEX 2025 Agenda

Wednesday, October 15

7:00 AM - 9:15 AM: Exhibit Hall Booth Set Up
Exhibit Hall

9:30 AM - 5:30 PM: Exhibit Hall Open
Exhibit Hall

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Pre-Con Showcase: CCUA's Emerging Leaders
Nehantic/Pequot/Paugussett

Join us for a panel with CCUA’s Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 as they share projects, insights, and their vision for the future of credit unions, plus an open Q&A.

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM: APEX Registration
Uncas Foyer (Lower Level)

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM: Pre-Conference Learning Lab
Nehantic/Pequot/Paugussett

Alison Herrick, CPA, Partner at Wipfli
Stay Inspired Preparing for the NCUA Succession Planning Rule: Compliance, Strategy, Sustainability

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM: Pre-Conference Learning Lab
Passamaquoddy/Brothertown

Pat Lapomarda, Director of Data Science at Arkatechture
Think Big, Start Smart: Why Data and AI Strategy Is Critical for Small Credit Union Growth

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Welcome Refreshments
Exhibit Hall

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: APEX Kick-Off & Welcome Remarks
Uncas Ballroom Salon A (Lower Level)

Jeff Hamilton
President & GM of Mohegan Sun

Ronald McLean, President/CEO
Cooperative Credit Union Association

Bruce Adams, President and CEO
The Credit Union League of Connecticut 

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Opening Keynote Session
Uncas Ballroom Salon A (Lower Level)

Christine Cashen, Award-Winning Author
Stay Inspired, When You're So Tired

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Snack Break with Exhibitors
Exhibition Hall (Lower Level)

2:00 PM - 4:15 PM: Showcases, learning labs, and demos
Solutions Stage

NEW Solutions Stage in the Exhibit Hall

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Learning Lab
Solutions Stage

Crystal Streeper, League Compliance Lead & Training Coordinator of ViClarity
Top 5 Compliance Pitfalls Credit Unions Should Avoid in 2026

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Fintech Showcase
Solutions Stage

2:30 PM - 2:40 PM: Fintech Pitch Lab
Solutions Stage

Nilabh Ohol, VP of Product of Fiverity
Unified Fraud Intelligence in Action: Proactive Defense Through the CCUA Anti-Fraud Hub

2:40 PM - 2:50 PM: Fintech Pitch Lab
Solutions Stage

James Chemplavil, CEO & Founder of Salus
Turn Gen Z Into Members for Life with Products That Meet Them Where They Are

2:50 PM - 3:00 PM: Fintech Pitch Lab
Solutions Stage

Kara Brewer, Chief Strategy Officer of True Link
Helping Members Thrive with Safer, Smarter Family Banking

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Case Study
Solutions Stage

Roman Nazarewycz, Director of Client Engagement of Zest AI & Mark O'Dell, Chief Retail Officer of Service Credit Union
Smarter, Faster, Fairer Lending: Real Results with Zest AI Underwriting

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Innovation Demo Sessions
Solutions Stage

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Innovation Demo Sessions
Solutions Stage

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM: Demo Session
Solutions Stage

Amy Travers, VP of Sales of Illuma
Say It to Secure It: Voice Tech vs. Deepfakes & Fraud

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Demo Session
Solutions Stage

Kristen Cooper, Enterprise Account Executive of Clutch
Open Accounts and Offer Loans like a Fintech

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM: Mortgage Lending Update
Solutions Stage

Bryce Jackson, Director of Sales & Bryant Ottaviano, CEO of Pivot Lending
The Future of Real Estate Lending & Non-Conforming Mortgage Options

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Learning Lab
Passamaquoddy/Brothertown

Dean DeCarlo, Founder of Mission Disrupt
Boosting Membership and Loans: High-Converting Campaign Strategies for Credit Unions

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Board Track Learning Lab
Nehantic/Pequot/Paugussett

Kevin Lynch, Managing Director of Investments of Oppenheimer
Examining Rate Cycles and Their Impact on the Balance Sheet Investment and Investment Strategy

4:00 PM: Hotel Check-In
Main Lobby

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Welcome Reception
Exhibit Hall

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM: CU Executive & Exhibitor Reception
Vista Lounge

Invite Only

7:00 PM: Dinner on Your Own

Friday, October 17

8:30 AM - 2:00 PM: APEX Registration
Uncas Foyer (Lower Level)

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast
Exhibit Hall (Lower Level)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Keynote Session
Uncas Ballroom Salon A (Lower Level)

Linda Nedelcoff, Chief HR Officer & Strategy at TruStage
Empowering Tomorow: A Letter to Future Leaders

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: APEX Wrap Up & Attendee Prize Announcements
Uncas Ballroom Salon A (Lower Level)

Ronald McLean, President/CEO
Cooperative Credit Union Association

Bruce Adams, President and CEO
The Credit Union League of Connecticut 

11:00 AM: Hotel Check-Out
Main Lobby