Scott Butterfield
Principle
Your CU Partner
Scott Butterfield is a trusted advisor to the leaders of more than 200 credit unions located throughout the United States. A respected veteran of the CU Movement, he understands the challenges and opportunities facing credit unions today. Scott believes that credit unions matter, and that consumers and small businesses need credit unions now more than ever.
The Importance of Distinguishing between Governance and Management
Principle
Your CU Partner
Scott Butterfield is a trusted advisor to the leaders of more than 200 credit unions located throughout the United States. A respected veteran of the CU Movement, he understands the challenges and opportunities facing credit unions today. Scott believes that credit unions matter, and that consumers and small businesses need credit unions now more than ever.
The Importance of Distinguishing between Governance and Management
Shelli Clarkston
Of Counsel
Spencer Fane LLP
Shelli Clarkston is Of Counsel at Spencer Fane in the Banking and Financial Services group. She provides financial institutions of all sizes with proactive legal counsel on regulatory and compliance matters. With more than two decades of industry experience, Shelli collaboratively develops and implements compliance programs, best practices, and policies with a specific focus on enterprise and program risk management.
She has drafted and negotiated complex contracts for fintechs and advised financial institution and fintech clients on matters such as the Safeguards Rule, lending, mobile finance and payments, payment card industry (PCI) compliance, Nacha requirements for ACH transactions, prepaid cards and accounts, anti-money laundering, and information and data security.
Shelli previously served as General Counsel for a community bank and financial holding company, directly handled regional regulatory compliance and internal audit for a global financial institution, and held the role of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for a global financial services technology platform. These positions give her valuable insight into the challenges and pressures clients face in navigating an evolving regulatory landscape.
How to Handle Fraudulent Electronic Items Under Reg E
Of Counsel
Spencer Fane LLP
Shelli Clarkston is Of Counsel at Spencer Fane in the Banking and Financial Services group. She provides financial institutions of all sizes with proactive legal counsel on regulatory and compliance matters. With more than two decades of industry experience, Shelli collaboratively develops and implements compliance programs, best practices, and policies with a specific focus on enterprise and program risk management.
She has drafted and negotiated complex contracts for fintechs and advised financial institution and fintech clients on matters such as the Safeguards Rule, lending, mobile finance and payments, payment card industry (PCI) compliance, Nacha requirements for ACH transactions, prepaid cards and accounts, anti-money laundering, and information and data security.
Shelli previously served as General Counsel for a community bank and financial holding company, directly handled regional regulatory compliance and internal audit for a global financial institution, and held the role of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for a global financial services technology platform. These positions give her valuable insight into the challenges and pressures clients face in navigating an evolving regulatory landscape.
How to Handle Fraudulent Electronic Items Under Reg E
Josh Cook
President/CEO
Community Choice CU
Josh Cook is considered a visionary leader and creative thinker. Josh started with Community Choice CU (CCCU) in 2002 as the Marketing Manager and has expanded his role to include everything from marketing to branch operations with plenty in between. During his seventeen years at CCCU he has gained considerable attention for his creative work amassing over forty national marketing awards.
Forget Reality, Embrace Perception for Loan Growth
President/CEO
Community Choice CU
Josh Cook is considered a visionary leader and creative thinker. Josh started with Community Choice CU (CCCU) in 2002 as the Marketing Manager and has expanded his role to include everything from marketing to branch operations with plenty in between. During his seventeen years at CCCU he has gained considerable attention for his creative work amassing over forty national marketing awards.
Forget Reality, Embrace Perception for Loan Growth
Sam Das
VP, Corporate Development & TruStage Ventures LLC
CMFG Life Insurance Company
Sam Das is Managing Director of CMFG Ventures, the venture capital arm of TruStage. In this role, he has focused on sourcing, investing, and advising early-stage fintech and in surtech startups. Das is also the Vice President of Corporate Development at TruStage, evaluating and executing a broad range of strategic transactions for the organization. Das joined TruStage in 2017.
Prior to joining TruStage, Das was the founder and CEO of a fintech startup and served as an investment banker at firms including Houlihan Lokey and Fox-Pitt, Kelton. He has completed mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and capital-raising transactions valued at more than $10 billion involving companies like Principal Financial, AIG, MasterCard, Security Benefit, and Lehman Brothers.
Credit Union Roadmap to Fintech Partnerships
VP, Corporate Development & TruStage Ventures LLC
CMFG Life Insurance Company
Sam Das is Managing Director of CMFG Ventures, the venture capital arm of TruStage. In this role, he has focused on sourcing, investing, and advising early-stage fintech and in surtech startups. Das is also the Vice President of Corporate Development at TruStage, evaluating and executing a broad range of strategic transactions for the organization. Das joined TruStage in 2017.
Prior to joining TruStage, Das was the founder and CEO of a fintech startup and served as an investment banker at firms including Houlihan Lokey and Fox-Pitt, Kelton. He has completed mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and capital-raising transactions valued at more than $10 billion involving companies like Principal Financial, AIG, MasterCard, Security Benefit, and Lehman Brothers.
Credit Union Roadmap to Fintech Partnerships
Robyn Dietrich
AVP - Organizational Development and Learning
West Community Credit Union
Robyn Dietrich is the assistant vice president of organizational development and learning at West Community Credit Union. Deitrich has spent 14 years shaping the credit union industry with diverse roles and notable achievements. She's dedicated to fostering a culture of empowerment and self-discovery, guiding individuals to unlock their full potential. Deitrich has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and DEI certification from Cornell.
AI’s Role in HR and Training
AVP - Organizational Development and Learning
West Community Credit Union
Robyn Dietrich is the assistant vice president of organizational development and learning at West Community Credit Union. Deitrich has spent 14 years shaping the credit union industry with diverse roles and notable achievements. She's dedicated to fostering a culture of empowerment and self-discovery, guiding individuals to unlock their full potential. Deitrich has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and DEI certification from Cornell.
AI’s Role in HR and Training
Elizabeth Fast
Attorney
Spencer Fane LLP
Elizabeth Fast is a partner at Spencer Fane in the Banking and Financial Services group. For more than 20 years, she has been counseling banks, holding companies, and other financial institutions on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Before joining Spencer Fane, Elizabeth was the General Counsel, Senior Vice President, and Corporate Secretary for a $9 billion publicly-traded bank with more than 130 branches, where she managed all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. This experience gave her an in-depth understanding of the internal operations of financial institutions.
She conducts over 50 national webinars each year and numerous specialized training sessions for financial institutions and has published a 900-page legal resource book on Missouri business law through Thomson West Publishing Company.
Elizabeth is a member of the Missouri State Banking Board, appointed by the Governor, and a member of the Kansas City Industrial Development Authority and the Housing Authority of Kansas City, appointed by the Mayor.
How to Handle Fraudulent Electronic Items Under Reg E
Attorney
Spencer Fane LLP
Elizabeth Fast is a partner at Spencer Fane in the Banking and Financial Services group. For more than 20 years, she has been counseling banks, holding companies, and other financial institutions on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Before joining Spencer Fane, Elizabeth was the General Counsel, Senior Vice President, and Corporate Secretary for a $9 billion publicly-traded bank with more than 130 branches, where she managed all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. This experience gave her an in-depth understanding of the internal operations of financial institutions.
She conducts over 50 national webinars each year and numerous specialized training sessions for financial institutions and has published a 900-page legal resource book on Missouri business law through Thomson West Publishing Company.
Elizabeth is a member of the Missouri State Banking Board, appointed by the Governor, and a member of the Kansas City Industrial Development Authority and the Housing Authority of Kansas City, appointed by the Mayor.
How to Handle Fraudulent Electronic Items Under Reg E
David Karandish
CEO
Capacity
David Karandish is founder and CEO of Capacity – an enterprise SaaS company headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Capacity is an AI-powered support automation platform that connects your entire tech stack to answer questions, automate repetitive support tasks, and build solutions to any business challenge.
Prior to starting Capacity, David was the CEO of Answers Corp. He and his business partner Chris Sims started the parent company of Answers in 2006 and sold it to a private equity firm in 2014 for $960M.
David sits on the boards of Create a Loop, a computer science education non-profit tackling the digital divide by teaching kids to code, and Prepare.ai, a non-profit providing educational resources and strategic guidance about artificial intelligence. David was also an early investor and board member at Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY), an on-demand, real-time learning platform in the ed tech space.
AI’s Role in HR and Training
CEO
Capacity
David Karandish is founder and CEO of Capacity – an enterprise SaaS company headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Capacity is an AI-powered support automation platform that connects your entire tech stack to answer questions, automate repetitive support tasks, and build solutions to any business challenge.
Prior to starting Capacity, David was the CEO of Answers Corp. He and his business partner Chris Sims started the parent company of Answers in 2006 and sold it to a private equity firm in 2014 for $960M.
David sits on the boards of Create a Loop, a computer science education non-profit tackling the digital divide by teaching kids to code, and Prepare.ai, a non-profit providing educational resources and strategic guidance about artificial intelligence. David was also an early investor and board member at Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY), an on-demand, real-time learning platform in the ed tech space.
AI’s Role in HR and Training
Mark Kirby
Supervisory Cybersecurity Advisor (Oklahoma & Arkansas
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Mark Kirby is a Supervisory Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA) for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 6, and is responsible for the States of Oklahoma and Arkansas. He is focused on supporting the States and other critical infrastructure owners and operators’ efforts to manage cyber risk and create measurable cybersecurity improvements.
Before joining CISA, Mark spent 15 years as an Information Technology Specialist and Computer Scientist at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He was responsible for leading Cyber Engineering teams that identified and remediated security vulnerabilities on Department of Defense networks. Mark was instrumental to the initial roll-out of the Air Force 2d Generation Wireless Local Area Network Program that extended wireless network service to enhance the war-fighter’s capabilities. He also led the effort to identify single points of failure in the network boundaries at 105+ Air Force bases worldwide.
Mark is a retired Air Force veteran that honorably served his country for 20 years. He started his career in 1986 as a Ground Radio Communications Specialist and was directly responsible for establishing and maintaining long haul communications for Command-and-Control (C2) systems. Midway through his career, Mark became a Communications – Computer Systems Controller responsible for communication facilities supporting the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Global Information Grid.
Finally, Mark holds Certifications as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Project Management Professional (PMP). Additionally, he has a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Information Technology Management and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science and Management Computer information Systems.
Cybersecurity Awareness
Supervisory Cybersecurity Advisor (Oklahoma & Arkansas
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Mark Kirby is a Supervisory Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA) for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 6, and is responsible for the States of Oklahoma and Arkansas. He is focused on supporting the States and other critical infrastructure owners and operators’ efforts to manage cyber risk and create measurable cybersecurity improvements.
Before joining CISA, Mark spent 15 years as an Information Technology Specialist and Computer Scientist at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He was responsible for leading Cyber Engineering teams that identified and remediated security vulnerabilities on Department of Defense networks. Mark was instrumental to the initial roll-out of the Air Force 2d Generation Wireless Local Area Network Program that extended wireless network service to enhance the war-fighter’s capabilities. He also led the effort to identify single points of failure in the network boundaries at 105+ Air Force bases worldwide.
Mark is a retired Air Force veteran that honorably served his country for 20 years. He started his career in 1986 as a Ground Radio Communications Specialist and was directly responsible for establishing and maintaining long haul communications for Command-and-Control (C2) systems. Midway through his career, Mark became a Communications – Computer Systems Controller responsible for communication facilities supporting the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Global Information Grid.
Finally, Mark holds Certifications as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Project Management Professional (PMP). Additionally, he has a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Information Technology Management and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science and Management Computer information Systems.
Cybersecurity Awareness
Stephen LaBarbera
Shareholder
Doeren Mayhew
For approximately 13 years, Stephen LaBarbera provides audit and assurance services to credit unions and credit union service organizations. Leveraging his knowledge and expertise built by leading opinion audits and CECL validations, accounting implementation, and internal audit services, Stephen serves as a year-round trusted advisor to many credit union clients.
Stephen is often called on for his expertise by national, regional, and local technical and industry-related associations and has become a recognized speaker and author on a variety of credit union-related topics, including CECL Implementation. Stephen is a leader in Doeren Mayhew’s internal education programs, including the firm’s Audit and Accounting Committee, and provides educational training to clients and co-workers on a wide range of accounting and auditing topics.
CECL Lessons Learned So Far
Shareholder
Doeren Mayhew
For approximately 13 years, Stephen LaBarbera provides audit and assurance services to credit unions and credit union service organizations. Leveraging his knowledge and expertise built by leading opinion audits and CECL validations, accounting implementation, and internal audit services, Stephen serves as a year-round trusted advisor to many credit union clients.
Stephen is often called on for his expertise by national, regional, and local technical and industry-related associations and has become a recognized speaker and author on a variety of credit union-related topics, including CECL Implementation. Stephen is a leader in Doeren Mayhew’s internal education programs, including the firm’s Audit and Accounting Committee, and provides educational training to clients and co-workers on a wide range of accounting and auditing topics.
CECL Lessons Learned So Far
Lindsey Murphy
Lindsey worked in the financial industry for 20 years with 13 years spent as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Education Credit Union. She was responsible for marketing, public relations, business development and community involvement and won numerous Cornerstone League Pinnacle Awards and Credit Union National Association Diamond Awards for her and her team’s creative work. Community involvement has always been a passion of Lindsey’s and serves on the board of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle. She also is on the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundations Women’s Circle Grant committee and Advisory committee.
Amplifying Your CU’s PR
Lindsey worked in the financial industry for 20 years with 13 years spent as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Education Credit Union. She was responsible for marketing, public relations, business development and community involvement and won numerous Cornerstone League Pinnacle Awards and Credit Union National Association Diamond Awards for her and her team’s creative work. Community involvement has always been a passion of Lindsey’s and serves on the board of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle. She also is on the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundations Women’s Circle Grant committee and Advisory committee.
Amplifying Your CU’s PR
Melina Palmer
Founder & CEO
The Brainy Business
Melina Palmer is the CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics training and consulting to businesses globally. She shows companies how to get customers to buy and employees to buy-in. Her podcast “The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy” has been downloaded in over 170 countries and used as a resource for universities and businesses. Palmer teaches applied behavioral economics through the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab. She obtained a master’s in behavioral economics from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research and Filene Research Institute and writes on behavioral economics and business for Inc Magazine. Palmer has written award-winning books including “What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You” (2021), “What Your Employees Need and Can’t Tell You” (2022), and “The Truth About Pricing” (2024).
What Your Member Wants and Can't Tell You
Founder & CEO
The Brainy Business
Melina Palmer is the CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics training and consulting to businesses globally. She shows companies how to get customers to buy and employees to buy-in. Her podcast “The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy” has been downloaded in over 170 countries and used as a resource for universities and businesses. Palmer teaches applied behavioral economics through the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab. She obtained a master’s in behavioral economics from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research and Filene Research Institute and writes on behavioral economics and business for Inc Magazine. Palmer has written award-winning books including “What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You” (2021), “What Your Employees Need and Can’t Tell You” (2022), and “The Truth About Pricing” (2024).
What Your Member Wants and Can't Tell You
Vicki Plank
Chief Human Resources Officer
Meritrust CU
Vicki is involved in many aspects of supporting the people at Meritrust Credit Union which includes the typical HR functions along with their DEI efforts. Her favorite part of my job is the ability to impact the careers of those around her. Whether it is giving someone external a job opportunity, connecting an internal teammate with just the right development to move them forward, or supporting the DEI Advisory Group to make progress at her organization, she loves being able to make a difference for those around her.
Vicki has served Meritrust for 13 plus years and currently serves as the Chief HR Officer.
Creating a Culture of Belonging
Chief Human Resources Officer
Meritrust CU
Vicki is involved in many aspects of supporting the people at Meritrust Credit Union which includes the typical HR functions along with their DEI efforts. Her favorite part of my job is the ability to impact the careers of those around her. Whether it is giving someone external a job opportunity, connecting an internal teammate with just the right development to move them forward, or supporting the DEI Advisory Group to make progress at her organization, she loves being able to make a difference for those around her.
Vicki has served Meritrust for 13 plus years and currently serves as the Chief HR Officer.
Creating a Culture of Belonging
Jeff Rendel
Principal
Rising Above Enterprises
Certified Speaking Professional Jeff Rendel has experience as a federal banking regulator, financial services executive, and congressional lobbyist. He understands the balancing act of safety, soundness, sales, and strategy. As president of Rising Above Enterprises, Rendel works with financial services providers and, each year, advises and facilitates training for nearly 100 financial institutions and their partners. He was previously a federal banking regulator with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and a financial services executive overseeing strategic operations of a community bank. As chief lobbyist to Congress, he represented financial institutions. Rendel is a member of the National Speakers Association with a CSP designation.
A CEO at Every Desk
Principal
Rising Above Enterprises
Certified Speaking Professional Jeff Rendel has experience as a federal banking regulator, financial services executive, and congressional lobbyist. He understands the balancing act of safety, soundness, sales, and strategy. As president of Rising Above Enterprises, Rendel works with financial services providers and, each year, advises and facilitates training for nearly 100 financial institutions and their partners. He was previously a federal banking regulator with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and a financial services executive overseeing strategic operations of a community bank. As chief lobbyist to Congress, he represented financial institutions. Rendel is a member of the National Speakers Association with a CSP designation.
A CEO at Every Desk
Michelle Wood
Chief Culture Officer
Mazuma CU
For her day job, Michelle supports the Team Member Experience at Mazuma Credit Union and helps to share their story of impact in their community. She supports the areas of Culture, DEI, HR, Talent Development and Member Experience Training, and Marketing as well as serves on the executive team to help craft and support broader credit union strategy. It's truly a passion and Michelle believes while sometimes the topics and growth can be challenging or uncomfortable, there is true synergy, enrichment, and fulfillment that can be found in the DEI journey. Michelle has served Mazuma for the past seven years and the credit union movement for over 23 years.
Creating a Culture of Belonging
Chief Culture Officer
Mazuma CU
For her day job, Michelle supports the Team Member Experience at Mazuma Credit Union and helps to share their story of impact in their community. She supports the areas of Culture, DEI, HR, Talent Development and Member Experience Training, and Marketing as well as serves on the executive team to help craft and support broader credit union strategy. It's truly a passion and Michelle believes while sometimes the topics and growth can be challenging or uncomfortable, there is true synergy, enrichment, and fulfillment that can be found in the DEI journey. Michelle has served Mazuma for the past seven years and the credit union movement for over 23 years.
Creating a Culture of Belonging