CCUA'sCU Accelerate 2026 Conference Delivers Inspiration, Innovation, and Industry Connection in Boston

Boston, MA – The Cooperative Credit Union Association's (CCUA) CU Accelerate 2026 conference brought together nearly 150 credit union professionals, leaders, volunteers, and industry partners from across the region for two days of networking, education, and inspiration at the historic Omni Parker House in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsored by title sponsor TruStage, the annual conference featured nationally recognized keynote speakers and industry experts who challenged attendees to think differently about leadership, innovation, member engagement, and the future of financial services.

This year’s speaker lineup included:

• Lindsay Tarpley, Two-time Gold Medal Olympian, Leadership Expert, and Mentor 
• Rhian Horgan, Co-Founder and CEO at Silvur 
• Karen McHenry, Vice President at Metallicus 
• Steven Rick, Chief Economist at TruStage 
• Shanthi Shanmugam, Co-Founder and CEO at Casap 
• Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at the African-American Credit Union Coalition 

A featured panel discussion, “Financial Health as a Growth Strategy: How Education Builds Loyalty and Long-Term Value,” explored how credit unions can deepen member relationships and strengthen communities through financial education initiatives. The session was facilitated by Ken Senus, President & CEO of St. Mary’s Bank and featured panelists Eric Loehr of Reseda Group, Crissi Cole from Array, and James Chemplavil from Salus. 

In addition to educational sessions, CU Accelerate 2026 created meaningful opportunities for attendees to connect directly with sponsors and business partners showcasing innovative products, services, and solutions designed to help credit unions strengthen operations, enhance member experiences, and prepare for the future. Dedicated networking breaks with sponsors, receptions, meals, and peer engagement opportunities encouraged collaboration and valuable conversations between credit union leaders and industry partners throughout the event. 

“CU Accelerate continues to bring together forward-thinking credit union leaders, industry experts, and valued business partners for meaningful conversations around innovation, leadership, and the future of the movement,” said Ron McLean, President & CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association. “The connections built throughout the conference — from educational sessions to networking opportunities — help strengthen collaboration across the industry and provide attendees with ideas and relationships they can bring back to their organizations.”

The conference also highlighted the strong support of sponsors whose partnership helped make the event possible and contributed to an engaging experience for attendees both inside and outside the educational sessions.

The CCUA also announced that registration is now open for CU Accelerate 2027, taking place May 13–14, 2027, at Wentworth by the Sea in New Hampshire.

Additional information and registration details for CU Accelerate 2027 are available at www.ccua.org/accelerate27.