A staff member at Dow Chemical Employees’ Credit Union (dcecu.org) has been selected to “crash” the Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Conference (CUNA GAC) later this month.
DCECU Accountant Alison Lutren of Sanford has been identified by The Cooperative Trust of Filene Research Institute as an emerging leader in the credit union movement. As a result, she will join more than 50 young professional leaders and thousands of other credit union advocates at the year’s largest credit union industry event, which takes place Feb. 23 through 27 in Washington, D.C. As a “Crasher,” Lutren will represent both DCECU and the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) as she meets with lawmakers and regulators, advocating on industry-
wide issues that affect credit unions and their members, including DCECU’s nearly 69,000 members.
“I am thrilled to be selected to represent Michigan credit unions at this premier event,” Lutren said. “I eagerly look forward to sharing the credit union difference with lawmakers, learning from world-class speakers and networking with other like-minded young professionals.”
Lutren was selected through a highly competitive process, earning complimentary registration to the CUNA GAC. She and the other Crashers will receive leadership development tools, attend mentoring sessions with leaders of industry organizations and enjoy exclusive networking opportunities with more than 5,000 top credit union advocates.
“We are very proud that one of our own was selected for this incredible opportunity,” said DCECU Controller Alison Taylor, Lutren’s supervisor. “Alison is making a name for herself amongst her peers, as this is her third ‘Crasher’ event in the last year. We are confident that Alison will passionately and professionally represent DCECU and the entire credit union industry.”
Filene Research Institute Director for Community Development Cortney Angeley said the organization is “excited to introduce the next generation of leaders to this life-changing experience. The Cooperative Trust and the Crash Program provides exceptional experiences to help emerging leaders develop their careers. Most importantly, the connections made at CUNA GAC are a catalyst to building a lifelong network of passionate credit union advocates.”
Crash the GAC is the largest Crash Program event Filene organizes each year. It is a nonstop, career-changing program that allows young professionals to participate in the credit union industry’s largest advocacy conference. Representing nearly every U.S. state, the 2020 class of Crashers includes young leaders with diverse roles at their credit unions.
“The Crashers bring so much energy and passion to CUNA GAC,” said CUNA President and CEO Jim Nussle. “I always look forward to meeting each new group, knowing that these folks are the people that will lead our movement in the future. I am so impressed with this year’s class, and I am excited to see where this leadership opportunity takes them in their careers. CUNA is proud to join Filene and The Cooperative Trust to make this special program possible year after year.”

Alison Lutren.