Your Credit Union Partner adds Sakash, Schroeder to expand strategic planning, CDFI services
SUMNER, WA (April 11, 2024) — Your Credit Union Partner, a leading provider of strategic business planning, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification and grant support, and field of membership expansion services, is thrilled to announce the addition of Tom Sakash and Sue Schroeder to its team as Strategic Consulting Officers.
Sakash previously led the small credit union programs at America’s Credit Unions, with a focus on advocacy, strategy, and training. Schroeder comes to Your Credit Union Partner as a former strategy and growth executive at Nestle, Avery Dennison, and Experian, building the credit bureau’s first-ever credit union go-to-market and CDFI strategy.
“I’ve never been so excited about a team like I am about this one,” said Scott Butterfield, Principal and Founder of Your Credit Union Partner. “Adding two great people like Sue and Tom who have such deep passion for credit unions – and who have the strategic minds and expertise to match it – will allow our company to help our credit union clients in even more impactful ways.”
Both Schroeder and Sakash will partner with credit union CEOs and executive teams across all asset sizes to help advance their long-term goals and community impact through Your Credit Union Partner’s suite of services. Schroeder began her work with the organization in the back half of 2023. Sakash started this month.
“We have worked hard to maintain an authentic, family-like culture,” added Alison Carr, Chief Strategy Officer at Your Credit Union Partner. “Tom and Sue fit exactly with what we’ve been working to build. Just as importantly, their combined experience brings a dynamic new element to our work that we know our credit unions will love and benefit from. We can’t wait for our credit union clients nationwide to see these two in action.”
Schroeder’s experience includes building annual business plans, growth strategies, and new products and initiatives at multiple global companies. She received her Master’s in Corporate Strategy and Marketing from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and a certificate from the Chicago Booth School of Business Strategic Growth Institute.
“Previously working with Your Credit Union Partner for over seven (7) years, I saw firsthand the important work they do to power credit union growth, differentiation, and CDFI expansion,” said Schroeder. “The credit union movement is about people helping people. With millions of undeserved consumers and small business owners needing fair access to credit, there is a gap that mission-driven credit unions can fill. I am thrilled to be part of this team and partnering with credit union executives to help achieve their strategic goals.”
During his time at America’s Credit Unions, Sakash led the Small Credit Union Committee, which successfully advocated for the creation of new resources for small credit unions at the NCUA and developed numerous strategy resources for small credit unions. He’s trained in experiential facilitation and led executive communications at America’s Credit Unions in a previous role. He studied Spanish at Carthage College and journalism and mass communication at UW-Madison.
“Nothing excites me more than helping credit unions build capacity so that they can serve their members and communities in even greater ways,” said Sakash. “There is frankly no better investment the federal government can make than providing more resources to community-focused credit unions, whose very existence strengthens the fabric of our nation. I look forward to supporting Your Credit Union Partner in achieving its mission of growing these incredible institutions across the country.”
The YCUP team are recognized experts, educators, and facilitators who speak annually at numerous local, national, and international conferences, including the World Council of Credit Unions Conference and Association of British Credit Unions Ltd.
Sue Schroeder
Tom Sakash
About Your Credit Union Partner
Founded in 2011, Your Credit Union Partner is the trusted advisor to over 200 credit unions throughout the United States and Great Britain. The YCUP team are respected veterans of the Credit Union Movement and understand first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing credit unions today. Since its founding, YCUP has been able to stay true to its business model of personalized services tailored to the unique needs of each of its individual clients.
For more information on the YCUP team, please visit www.yourcupartner.org.
