Mountain West Credit Union Association hosts third LEAD Summit for young credit union professionals
DENVER, CO (August 17, 2021) — Thirty of the Mountain West Credit Union region’s best and brightest future leaders took part in the third LEAD Summit for Young Professionals held August 4-5 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The two-day, conference is designed to teach and encourage principles of Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development (LEAD). By programming the event over multiple disciplines, attendees gain a broad knowledge base to help them determine their areas of interest for their futures.
“This conference helps young professionals become strong advocates for credit unions as they move into positions of leadership,” said Scott Earl, President and CEO of the Mountain West Credit Union Association (MWCUA). “Being an advocate includes the political perspective, but it goes beyond that, too. We see this as an opportunity to invest in their professional growth that will bring a great return, both for them and for their employer.”
After postponing the event in 2020, the conference returned in-person this year, allowing for interactive sessions and great networking opportunities for attendees. Twelve credit unions from MWCUA’s three state region – Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming – were represented in the thirty young professionals who participated.
Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon made a special appearance and presented to the group on her Wyoming Hunger Initiative, a program that works to end childhood hunger in the state. The nonprofit saw a tremendous uptick in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and received a donation from the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation as part of a region-wide initiative to assist organizations involved with helping on the front lines with the pandemic response. “It was a privilege to have the First Lady address this group,” said Tyler Valentine, President and CEO of StagePoint Federal Credit Union and Chair of the Mountain West Young Credit Union Professionals Committee. “Her passion and commitment to this cause resonates because credit unions are community minded at heart and helping in a crisis is in our DNA.”
“There is a wealth of knowledge, talent and leadership in our region that we are able to tap into as we train the next generation,” Valentine added. “The session leaders brough dynamic and relevant content to the group that will help them as they plan their careers, get involved in political advocacy, develop leadership skills and much more.” Presenters included Valentine, Tansley Stearns, Chief People and Strategy Officer, of Canvas Credit Union (Lone Tree, CO), and Scott Sager, Chief Financial Officer of Trona Valley Federal Credit Union (Green River, WY), Chris Kemm, Vice President of Political Affairs for MWCUA and Dan Diorio, Director of Director of Political Financing & Policy for MWCUA.
About Mountain West Credit Union Association
The Mountain West Credit Union Association is the regional trade association representing member credit unions, 4.2 million credit union members and $65 billion in assets throughout Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. Founded in 2011, the Mountain West Credit Union Association serves and supports the interests of member credit unions through advocacy, community outreach, education and training, public affairs, regulatory and compliance services, and strategic partnerships. Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/mwcua, Facebook at facebook.com/mwcua and Instagram at instagram.com/mwcua. To learn more visit mwcua.com.
