Every Tuesday in April at 10:30 am
Welcome to the Small Credit Union Series—a premier annual webinar series designed exclusively for small credit unions. Our webinars provide valuable insights, innovative strategies, and practical resources tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by smaller institutions. Each year, we bring together industry experts and thought leaders to share their knowledge and foster meaningful dialogue that drives success in today's competitive financial landscape.
Below, you'll find a list of upcoming webinars available for registration. Each session details the date, time, and our expert partners presenting, ensuring you have all the essential information to plan ahead. Join us for these live events where you'll gain actionable insights and practical strategies designed specifically for small credit unions. Register today to secure your spot and connect with industry leaders and peers dedicated to driving innovation and success in your community.
- April 1, 2025: Farwell
- Successful Succession Planning
- April 8, 2025: Ascent and Clutch
- Ascent: Real-Time Data, Real-World Impact
- Clutch: Transforming Credit Unions into Fintech Lending Leaders
- April 15, 2025: Posh
- Posh: Bridging the Service Gap: How Small Credit Unions Can Compete with AI
- MemberClose: Mortgage Markets Update—Reviewing the Current Environment and Upcoming Industry Changes
- April 22, 2025: Employers Association of the Northeast (EANE)
- Leading Through Change: Navigating the Evolving Workplace
- April 29, 2025: Nudge Money and Reseda Group
- Nudge Money: From Basics to Breakthroughs - Attracting Gen Z with Marketing & Data
- Reseda Group: How Credit Union can Innovate, Regardless of Size
Register for the Small Credit Union Webinar Series by selecting the appropriate option below based on your credit union's league affiliation.
AVCU & CULCT Credit Union Registration
Each session is led by industry experts selected specifically for their experience with smaller credit unions
April 1, 2025 | 10:30 am
Farwell
- Speaker: Catie McDonald, Senior Advisor at FarWell
- Successful Succession Planning
Session Description: No matter how much we talk about it, succession planning continues to be a top concern among credit union executives and boards.
Why? Let’s identify key issues and root causes of the current succession planning crisis. And then let’s create an action plan on how to make succession planning happen at your organization.
April 8, 2025 | 10:30 am
Ascent
- Speaker: Arjun Sahgal, Co-Founder & CEO
- Real-Time Data, Real-World Impact
- Session Description: Your data shouldn’t be a scavenger hunt. There’s a better way to empower members and associates with data. Join Ascent to see what happens when you put the right information at the right time in the hands of your team.
Clutch
- Speaker: Kristen Cooper, Account Executive (Northeast) at Clutch
- Transforming Credit Unions into Fintech Lending Leaders
- Session Description: Clutch is transforming Credit Unions into fintech powerhouses with its cutting-edge digital lending solution. By streamlining the loan process, increasing application volume, and reducing manual steps, Clutch empowers Credit Unions to deliver a seamless, modern member experience.
Join us for an exclusive walkthrough of Clutch’s best-in-class loan application platform, see how it integrates with leading LOSs, and hear real success stories from Credit Unions that have enhanced their lending strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to explore how Clutch can help you drive growth and efficiency in your loan operations!
April 15, 2025 | 10:30 am
Posh
- Speaker: Lawrence Quan, General Manager, New Markets at Posh
- Bridging the Service Gap: How Small Credit Unions Can Compete with AI
Session Description: Small credit unions have always been at the heart of their communities, delivering the personal service that big banks and fintechs struggle to match. But as consumer expectations skyrocket and digital convenience becomes the norm, the service gap between large and small institutions is widening.
In this session, we’ll explore how small credit unions can bridge that gap with AI - without the high costs, complexity, or heavy lift that typically come with new technology.What you’ll learn:
- The biggest challenges small credit unions face in today’s digital landscape
- How AI can make small teams feel bigger, more efficient, and more responsive
- Real-world success stories of credit unions leveraging AI for growth
- How the CCUA's AI Access Program is making enterprise-grade technology affordable and accessible
Join us alongside Posh to learn how AI can empower small credit unions, enhance member experiences, and help stay competitive - without sacrificing the human touch that sets you apart.
MemberClose
- Speakers: Bryant Ottaviano, CEO of MemberClose & Bryce Jackson, MemberClose Director of Sales
- Mortgage Markets Update—Reviewing the Current Environment and Upcoming Industry Changes
- Session Description: Explore the current mortgage market landscape and prepare for what’s ahead. This session will cover key industry updates, including a review of hybrid valuations in light of 2025 regulatory changes, an overview of Versa-Title, and how government loan programs (FHA, VA, and USDA) can create new opportunities for credit unions and their members.
April 22, 2025 | 10:30 am
Employers Association of the Northeast (EANE)
- Speaker: Pam Thornton, Director of Strategic HR Services at EANE
- Leading Through Change: Navigating the Evolving Workplace
Session Description: The workplace is evolving at an unprecedented pace, shaped by technological advancements, shifting workforce expectations, and economic fluctuations. As a leader, your ability to navigate and drive change is critical to sustaining business success in 2025 and beyond. Join us for an engaging and interactive virtual workshop, where we will explore the top five key trends shaping business in 2025 and discuss actionable strategies for leading with confidence and agility.
Through real-world case studies, interactive discussions, and practical frameworks, you will gain insights into:- AI-Powered Workplaces – Leveraging automation and AI to enhance productivity, decision-making, and employee collaboration.
- The Hybrid Work Evolution – Balancing flexibility, engagement, and performance in an increasingly digital and distributed workforce.
- Skills-Based Leadership – Shifting from traditional roles to a dynamic, skills-first approach to talent development and workforce planning.
- Economic Uncertainty & Resilience – Leading through financial volatility, supply chain disruptions, and evolving market demands.
- Purpose-Driven Organizations – Aligning business goals with sustainability, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), and social impact to attract top talent and customers.
Key Takeaways:
- A clear understanding of how these key trends impact leadership and workplace dynamics.
- Practical strategies for adapting to change while fostering innovation and resilience.
- Tools to enhance team engagement, productivity, and long-term business success.
Who Should Attend? This session is ideal for business leaders, managers, HR professionals, and change agents looking to stay ahead of workplace transformations and lead their teams effectively through ongoing shifts.
April 29, 2025 | 10:30 am
Nudge Money
- Speaker: Reagan Bonlie CEO of Nudge Money
- From Basics to Breakthroughs: Attracting Gen Z with Marketing & Data
- Session Description: Marketing and data is a necessity to attract Gen Z, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this webinar, we’ll break it down into a simple 1-2-3 framework with free resources to help your credit union kickstart growth and Gen Z engagement. We’ve partnered with industry leaders to bring you easy, plug-and-play marketing strategies that follow industry best practices.
Plus, Nudge Money will show you how to take your marketing to the next level by using their platform to compete for Gen Z against big banks — all on a small credit union budget. Join us to get the blueprint for breakthrough growth!
Reseda Group
- Speaker: Eric Loehr, Chief Revenue Officer at Reseda Group
- How Credit Union can Innovate, Regardless of Size
- Session Description: Discover how smaller credit unions can foster innovation to better serve their members and stay ahead in a rapidly changing financial landscape. This session will highlight real-world strategies for encouraging creative thinking, streamlining operations, and leveraging available resources. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to begin building an innovative mindset within their organization.
Meet the dynamic speakers joining our Small Credit Union Webinar Series. Learn more about their backgrounds, expertise, and the insights they'll be sharing. We're working on bringing you the latest information, so check back often for the newest speaker announcements and get ready to be inspired by industry leaders and innovators.
April 1, 2025 | 10:30 am
Farwell
Speaker: Catie McDonald, Senior Advisor at FarWell
Successful Succession Planning
Catie McDonald is a trusted strategic partner and leader who is passionate about the credit union movement. Known for her ability to ask thought-provoking questions and listen intently, Catie leverages her communication skills to drive successful outcomes in her work. Throughout her career, Catie has collaborated closely with CEOs, executive leadership teams, and various boards, bringing clarity to strategic vision and aligning stakeholders to produce remarkable results.
Known for her facilitation skills, Catie consistently receives feedback for her ability to make strategy sessions engaging and enjoyable. Participants are often surprised by how much fun they have while discussing critical matters, a testament to Catie’s talent for creating a collaborative and energizing environment. This passion is reflected professionally in her leadership on the Financial Well-being for All program while at CUNA – helping boards and credit unions understand how to serve their members better and incorporate financial well-being and diversity, equity, and inclusion into their strategic plans.
As a strategic partner and leader, Catie McDonald combines her expertise in the financial services and credit union industry, exceptional communication skills, and a genuine passion for making a difference. By working with Catie, you can unlock the full potential of your credit union or organization and create a lasting impact in the communities you serve.
April 8, 2025 | 10:30 am
Ascent
Speaker: Arjun Sahgal, Co-Founder & CEO of Ascent
Real-Time Data, Real-World Impact
Arjun Sahgal is the co‑founder and CEO with a unique blend of startup, banking, and investment experience. He began his career in business and commercial underwriting at Silicon Valley Bank, where he identified critical inefficiencies in data management and due diligence within lending operations. Prior to his current venture, Arjun founded Eazel — a platform that virtualized art galleries and forged strategic partnerships to help non‑technical organizations scale. After exiting Eazel, he joined Future Labs as a pre‑seed investor, focusing on early‑stage fintech and enterprise SaaS companies. Arjun leverages his deep industry insight to drive innovation at the intersection of finance and technology.
Clutch
Speaker: Kristen Cooper, Account Executive (Northeast) at Clutch
Transforming Credit Unions into Fintech Lending Leaders
Kristen Cooper has six years of experience in the fintech mortgage lending space, working with a range of financial institutions before dedicating her expertise to Credit Unions.
Now part of Clutch, a CUSO, she is passionate about helping Credit Unions grow and scale in the digital age.
Her focus is on growing innovative solutions that attract and engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha, ensuring a bright future for Credit Unions. Based in New York City, Kristen enjoys traveling throughout the Northeast for both business and personal adventures.
April 15, 2025 | 10:30 am
Posh
Speaker: Lawrence Quan, General Manager, New Markets at Posh
Bridging the Service Gap: How Small Credit Unions Can Compete with AI
Lawrence Quan is the General Manager, New Markets at Posh, where he leads initiatives to bring innovative AI solutions to credit unions of all sizes. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by smaller institutions, Lawrence has worked closely with credit union leaders across the country to develop practical, accessible AI tools that enhance service, streamline operations, and help small teams do more with less.
Lawrence has spent his career at the intersection of financial services and technology, advising over 100 fintechs, banks, and credit unions on digital transformation and go-to-market strategies. Before joining Posh, he helped scale multiple high-growth startups, including Clearbanc (now Clearco), a fintech unicorn revolutionizing business funding. His passion lies in making cutting-edge technology accessible to community-driven institutions, ensuring that even the smallest credit unions have the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.
April 22, 2025 | 10:30 am
Employers Association of the Northeast (EANE)
Speaker: Pam Thornton, Director of Strategic HR Services at EANE
Leading Through Change: Navigating the Evolving Workplace
Pam Thornton has spent over 25 years in human resources; 10 years in private industry in HR capacities for nationally-recognized companies including LEGO Systems, Inc. and K2 Sports where she directed 200+ people teams across the country involving a wide array of HR functions including performance management, training and engagement.
Pam leads the HR Staff at the Employers Association managing and developing their competencies and intimately works with members to assess their project needs and partner them with the best staff member on the team.
Pam earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a Strategic Human Resources Concentration from Bay Path University and holds (PHR) and SHRM-CP HR Certifications. She is a past president of the Human Resource Management Association of Western New England and serves on the RI SHRM Board as Director of College Relations and Emerging Leaders. Pam has been a member of the Society of Human Resource Management since 2004.
April 29, 2025 | 10:30 am
Nudge Money
Speaker: Reagan Bonlie, CEO at Nude Money
From Basics to Breakthroughs: Attracting Gen Z with Marketing & Data
Reagan Bonlie brings 12 years of experience driving cross-sales and financial wellness in banking, most recently leading a 45 branch team as Executive Director at Chase.
He carries a passion for scaling financial well-being and is dedicated to supporting credit unions and uplifting underserved communities.
Reseda Group
Speaker: Eric Loehr, Chief Revenue Officer at Reseda Group
How Credit Union can Innovate, Regardless of Size
Eric Loehr is the Chief Revenue Officer at Reseda Group, where he oversees business development and demand generation, partner retention and growth, brand innovation, and reputation management. Prior to joining Reseda Group, Eric was the Vice President of Michigan Solutions at the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL), where he was responsible for identifying, evaluating, contracting, and onboarding new MCUL partners. He also spent 19 years in the telecom technology space, including managing the Sprint Credit Union Program. Throughout his career, Eric has held various sales leadership roles, selling into both the government and enterprise sectors.
Stay up-to-date with the Small Credit Union Series! Whether you missed the live webinars or want to revisit key insights, we’ve got you covered. Watch all the highlights and in-depth sessions from our 2023 and 2024 series, and for our 2025 webinars, recordings will be available the day after each session concludes. Don't miss a beat—catch every essential recap and stay informed!
Small Credit Union Series Recordings
