PALM DESERT, CA (July 31, 2025) |
The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) celebrates another successful conference day hosted at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California!
Following a networking breakfast, sponsored by FIS, attendees and guests heard from Fisher House Foundation’s Tish Stropes, VP of Strategic Initiatives. Stropes sat down with AFFN President/CEO, John Broda, to share more about the organization’s mission of providing “a home away from home” for military families during medical crises. Afterward, Stropes expressed
appreciation for being selected as this year’s “Conference with a Purpose” charity beneficiary, and thanked attendees, sponsors, and Earnest Consulting Group for their generous contributions and support. See more here.
Attendees were then inspired by a powerful Credit Union Leadership Panel, moderated by DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez, which included:
- Kathy Anchors-Budd, President & CEO, NCUMA
- Celeste Shelton, Executive Director, National Association of Credit Union Chairs • Heather McKissick, CEO, CUES
During the discussion, Hernandez asked each panelist what their perspective was on how “we work together to accomplish our goals.”
“We obviously focus on credit union board leaders, chairs, vice chairs and directors, educating and providing networking opportunities for these leasers. I think we've kind of all realized that we have a great synergy…we’re finding those areas where we can complement and support one another,” said Shelton. “We [NACUC] definitely appreciate the advocacy efforts that DCUC is doing and getting that word out to our members that may only attend the conference that's just attended by directors, who may not get out to other conferences…so that's really important for us to get our message out to them as well.”
McKissick agreed, stating: “The partnerships that are represented here at this conference are really top-notch. I think for me, I've said a lot of it yesterday, but there are so many of us in the system partner category, and we all have different, unique strengths and gifts to bring to credit unions, and to those that they serve. And it's challenging. I think as the market…it depends on your perspective, it's either shrinking or it's getting bigger, but system partners can sometimes still act in a competitive fashion in that we are all trying to distinguish ourselves, but still offer very similar benefits to our single constituency. So, this idea of really partnering, being creative, being resourceful, leveraging each other as resources for the good of the whole…that part is what I'm excited about. And what I really think you guys have done a great job here representing.”
Anchors-Budd added, “As the credit union industry speaks to their membership, and to the other financial institutions, what sets them apart is their original goal: people helping people. And advocacy obviously is a lane that is very important, but you have to sort of create a space that is different. And I think credit unions telling their story of why they're different, I think the three of our organizations can assist credit unions. The programs that you have, lifting up those stories so that people know why credit unions are different…and trade associations can share that to get the word out. That's a great way, I think, that we can support the industry on a lane that's other than advocacy but just wildly different.”
Hernandez also shared that DCUC and NCUMA will officially announce a new partnership with more details on what this will bring to both organizations’ members and the credit union industry.
Attendees were deeply moved by retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Lance Bradford’s keynote, “The Price of Valor, the Gift of Fate,” which recounted his personal journey of injury, recovery, and transformation after his service in Iraq. Bradford’s story of resilience, sacrifice, and personal transformation highlights the lived experiences that reaffirm the importance of advocacy, service, and support for veterans.
Throughout the morning and early afternoon, attendees also participated in a series of dynamic breakout sessions, including:
- “What Is Your Leadership Legacy?” presented by Liz Santos, Chief Consulting Officer, The Sheeter Group, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and intentional legacy building.
- “Separating the Signal from the Noise,” where Brian Bauer, CEO, and Sanjay Bhaskar, CRO at Revio Insight shared strategies for using core data insights to drive performance.
- “How Internal Talent Mobility Creates Long-Term Leadership Excellence,” led by Curtis Viggers, Sr. Executive Benefits Specialist, TruStage, focusing on building succession strategies from within.
- “Increasing Your CU’s NII While Addressing Cyber Preparedness & Member Engagement,” hosted by James McCabe, EVP – Identity Theft Solutions, and Brian McEntire, VP of Sales for Identity Theft, Vero LLC, examining data breach trends and integrated member solutions.
- “Powering Advocacy: Advancing Credit Union Voices Through the DCUC PAC & NAF,” with Jason Stverak, DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer, highlighting how legislative engagement strengthens the credit union movement.
Between sessions, attendees and guests also enjoyed additional opportunities to mingle and make new connections, including a networking break sponsored by PARC Street Group.
“Today’s sessions exemplified the strength, innovation, and unity that define the defense credit union community,” says Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO. “From honoring resilience and leadership to exploring data and advocacy strategies shaping our future, our members are committed to providing the best financial services to their members and communities. Together,
we are building not only stronger credit unions—but a stronger movement bringing greater impact.”
The conference’s Silent Auction—benefiting Fisher House—remained a crowd favorite, with bidding closing during the networking lunch sponsored by Bloom Credit. Thanks to the generosity of DCUC members, guests, and sponsors, including Earnest Consulting Group’s incredible match for total money raised, the fundraising event was a resounding success.
DCUC’s Annual Conference will continue tonight with DCUC’s 2025 Hall of Honor Gala and Speakeasy sponsored by Gallagher and Trellance. Tomorrow’s last session begins with a special ‘Breakfast with the Crashers’ and finishes with a final keynote discussion by Mike Rayburn, Hall of Fame Speaker, Artist, and Entrepreneur.
Check out the full agenda by visiting dcucannual.org. Follow along and join the conversation with the hashtag #DCUC2025, on DCUC's LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages!
