DES MOINES, IA (June 3, 2025) |
The Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF), the philanthropic arm of the Iowa Credit Union League, announced the 2025 graduates of its ‘People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program. The program, now in its seventh year, welcomed 50 participants representing 23 different credit unions across Iowa. Graduates will join a network of 300 financial coaches serving credit unions throughout the state.
In May, participants engaged in immersive learning and simulations designed to deepen their understanding of how an individual’s relationship with money can influence financial decision-making. Financial coaches serve as member advocates, offering guidance and support to help credit union members navigate challenging financial circumstances.
“As the Iowa Credit Union Foundation celebrates 30 years of championing financial well-being, we are thrilled to welcome a new cohort of graduates to Iowa’s financial coach network,” said Ena Babic Barnes, Executive Director of ICUF. “This program equips credit union employees to empower members with knowledge and resources to pave the way for long-term financial success.”
The ‘People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program was facilitated and developed in partnership with Adam Carroll, founder of National Financial Educators
“Facilitating these sessions always reinforces for me how deeply the ‘people helping people’ culture is embedded and thriving in this industry,” said Carroll. “This year’s group of coaches demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm and dedication for learning. They will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of their members.”
The graduates of the 2025 ICUF ‘People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program are:
- Angie Stewart (Clinton), 1st Gateway Credit Union
- Carissa Hubbard (Sterling), 1st Gateway Credit Union
- Zach Welsher (Camanche), 1st Gateway Credit Union
- Kaylyn Burton (Newton), Advantage Credit Union
- Brooke Smith (Clinton), Ascentra Credit Union
- Donita Meyer (Davenport), Ascentra Credit Union
- Roxanne Fish (Moline), Ascentra Credit Union
- Diane Warren (Des Moines), Capitol View Credit Union
- Linda Barnabo (Des Moines), Capitol View Credit Union
- Heather Gerdes (Burlington), Casebine Credit Union
- Eshley Johnson (Burlington) Casebine Credit Union
- Dakota Sands (Cedar Falls). Cedar Falls Community Credit Union
- Rachel McCullough (Cedar Falls), Cedar Falls Community Credit Union
- Amila Hamzic (Mason City), CENT Credit Union
- Angie Weiland (Algona), Citizens Credit Union
- Diane Martens (Belmond), Citizens Credit Union
- Ruth France (Fort Dodge), Citizens Credit Union
- Brooke Mason (Indianola), Community 1st Credit Union
- Erin Gay (Shenandoah), Community 1st Credit Union
- Jennifer See (Centerville), Community 1st Credit Union
- Julie Waters (Atlantic), Community 1st Credit Union
- Chase Bauer (Cedar Rapids), Corda Credit Union
- Michael Sauerbry (Cedar Rapids), Corda Credit Union
- Naomi Gaede (Cedar Rapids), Corda Credit Union
- Nicole Thies (Cedar Rapids), Corda Credit Union
- Jeniffer Vasquez (Des Moines), Des Moines Metro Credit Union
- Maddie Knapp (Cedar Rapids), Dupaco Community Credit Union
- Aspen Kinmonth (Des Moines), Financial Plus Credit Union
- Kaylynn Dresch (Des Moines), Financial Plus Credit Union
- Sarvia Rivera (Des Moines), Financial Plus Credit Union
- Cynthia Gallardo (Ames), Greater Iowa Credit Union
- Lois Logan (Ames), Greater Iowa Credit Union
- William Holcomb (West Des Moines), Greater Iowa Credit Union
- Dominique Vondran (Epworth), GreenState Credit Union
- Jill Bell (Mason City), Iowa Heartland Credit Union
- Alisha Penman (Des Moines), Journey Credit Union
- Kaitlyn Collison (Bondurant), Midland Credit Union
- Kara Anderson (Urbandale), Midland Credit Union
- Lupe Montenegro (Council Bluffs), Midland Credit Union
- Andrea Phipps (Cherokee), North Star Community Credit Union
- Anthony Sanchez (Cherokee), North Star Community Credit Union
- Kimberly Chansler (Webster City), Peoples Credit Union
- Jennifer Santangelo-Warren (West Des Moines), Premier Credit Union
- Tim Pabich (Mes), River Valley Credit Union
- John Parks (Sioux City), Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
- Maria Suarez (Sioux City), Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
- Ana Hernandez (Waterloo), Veridian Credit Union
- Angela Weekley (Waterloo), Veridian Credit Union
- Dora Sedeno (Des Moines), Veridian Credit Union
- Terry Sanders (Bellevue), Veridian Credit Union
Each program graduate received coaching resources along with access to an online educational portal to support their ongoing development as a financial coach.