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Hudson Valley Credit Union invests in the next generation of community leaders

14 Employees Across Six Counties Graduate from Leadership Programs

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (June 24, 2026) |

Demonstrating its commitment to developing talent from within and creating opportunities for long-term career advancement, Hudson Valley Credit Union (HVCU) announced that 14 team members across six counties have recently completed leadership programs. These comprehensive courses – ranging in length from five days to 10 months – aim to educate and motivate professionals to expand leadership capabilities, enhance community participation and respond effectively to changing conditions. 

“Our members, employees and the communities we serve are at the heart of everything we do,” said Desiree Wolfe, executive vice president, chief experience officer. “One of the ways we put people first is by investing in our employees — supporting their growth and ensuring our members are served by knowledgeable, engaged professionals.” 

The credit union’s 2026 graduates included the following individuals, by program:

Columbia and Greene County Chambers of Commerce’s Leadership Columbia-Greene

  • Melissa O’Shea, Branch Supervisor, Hudson

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dutchess

  • Dawn McFadden, branch manager, Beacon
  • Ashley Simoni, manager, consumer loan underwriting, Dutchess County 

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Leadership Program

  • Jijo Koshy, assistant vice president, IT service delivery, Dutchess County
  • Leann O’Brien, director of consumer lending operations, Dutchess County

Leadership Orange

  • Yoselyne Nava, branch supervisor, New Windsor

Leadership Orange E.D.G.E.

  • Edward Eliassen, branch supervisor, Montgomery
  • Destiny Quinonez, branch supervisor, Middletown
  • Alex Quintana, branch supervisor, Chester

Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Sullivan

  • Kaylee Wagner, branch manager, Grahamsville

Ulster Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Ulster

  • Cynthia Bruno, assistant branch manager, Rhinebeck
  • Alycia Cates, branch supervisor, Highland
  • Stacie Schoonmaker, contact center team leader, Ulster County

Volunteer New York’s Leadership Westchester 

  • Swati Sharma, assistant branch manager, Cortlandt

“It’s a privilege to work alongside so many talented, dedicated individuals, and I look forward to seeing each one of them utilize these new skills to expand their leadership capabilities,” added Wolfe.

To learn more about HVCU and its commitment to members, employees and the areas it serves, visit www.hvcu.org.  

Jijo Koshy (L), assistant vice president, IT service delivery, and Leann O’Brien, director of consumer lending operations, both graduates of The Chamber Foundation’s Executive Leadership Program in Dutchess County, NY.

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