Shelby Zach announced as Outstanding Crasher
BISMARCK, ND (May 7, 2019) — Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) is thrilled to announce Shelby Zach, Marketing Specialist, United Savings Credit Union (Fargo, ND) as this year’s Outstanding Summit Crasher. For the last several years, CUAD has incorporated a “Crasher” opportunity into our Annual Summit Meeting in order to engage young professionals age 35 and under. Crashers participate in general sessions throughout the Summit, but also have specific and exclusive group activities to enhance their Summit experience.
This year, the Crasher group consisted of 13 individuals, including last year’s Outstanding Crasher, Kayla Hardy, Senior HR Specialist, Capital Credit Union (Bismarck, ND), who led the group this year. These young professionals came from diverse backgrounds and roles within various credit unions from all around North and South Dakota, and their credit union experience ranged from six months to more than ten years of service in the industry.
“I’m very pleased to announce that we’ve awarded the Outstanding Crasher of the Year honor to Shelby Zach,” said Hardy. “Her interest in helping others in the credit union industry, inquisitive questions and continuous interest in growth is where she truly shines,” she added.
Lori Welder, Director of Communications for CUAD, agrees. “We’re very excited that Shelby was chosen for Outstanding Crasher this year,” she stated. “She stood out amongst the group with her interest in the credit union industry and ambition for personal growth, and we know she will enhance the experience for our Crashers next year,” she added.
As Outstanding Crasher, Shelby will receive complimentary registration for the 2020 CUAD Summit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she will assume the special role to cohost and lead the next Crasher group. Her role next year will involve leading and coordinating speakers with Crasher specific topics geared toward career paths, advocacy, service work, and open forum discussions.
This year’s Crashers included: Eve Booen, Teller/Loan Processor, Area Community CU; Brooke Johnson, Assistant Branch manager, Capital CU; Kaitlyn Hoff, Business Services Associate, Capital CU; Shantel Johnson, Financial Analyst, First Community CU; SharleneMathisen, Member Service Rep Team Lead, First Community CU; Abby Cook, Commercial Loan Officer, Highmark CU; Tiffanie Kouf, Marketing Coordinator, M-O FCU; Kara Bohan, Financial Services Officer, North Star Community CU; Elizabeth Feldner, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Prairie Federal CU; Tyler Gross, Loan Analyst, Sioux Valley Co-op FCU; Amanda Nelson, Contact Center Rep, Town & Country CU; and Shelby Zach, Marketing Specialist, United Savings CU.

Shelby Zach
About Credit Union Association of the Dakotas
The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) is the professional financial trade association serving 71 credit unions that employ 2,200 individuals in 221 branches. With more than 500,000 members in North and South Dakota, Dakota credit unions have assets in excess of $7.6 billion and currently are providing Dakota consumers with over $5.2 billion in loans while safely housing more than $6.6 billion in savings. In our mission to help credit unions succeed, CUAD plays a key role in growing membership and helping to provide service excellence to members from offices in Bismarck, ND and Sioux Falls, SD. For more information about CUAD visit our website at www.cuad.coop.
The Credit Union Foundation of the Dakotas’ purpose is to build community awareness of Dakota credit unions through support of children’s charities; community and social impact organizations or projects; financial education and financial literacy programs through the credit union chapter system; and to provide higher education scholarships throughout our service region in North and South Dakota.