Cameron Baghvardani
Director
Forvis
Cameron is a member of the Financial Services Practice in Forvis Mazars’ Dallas office. He has more than 13 years of experience providing audit, attest, and consulting services primarily to financial institutions. He serves on the firm’s national Credit Union Committee as the Southwest Region leader. His experience includes financial statement audits, internal control structure designs and reviews, ICFR consulting, performing risk assessments, assisting with new accounting standards implementation, allowance for credit losses methodology reviews, and developing internal audit programs and systems.
Cameron is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and TXCPA. He has a B.S. degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and an M.S. degree in finance.
Audit Nightmares & Control Failures: Lessons from the Inside
Director
Forvis
Cameron is a member of the Financial Services Practice in Forvis Mazars’ Dallas office. He has more than 13 years of experience providing audit, attest, and consulting services primarily to financial institutions. He serves on the firm’s national Credit Union Committee as the Southwest Region leader. His experience includes financial statement audits, internal control structure designs and reviews, ICFR consulting, performing risk assessments, assisting with new accounting standards implementation, allowance for credit losses methodology reviews, and developing internal audit programs and systems.
Cameron is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and TXCPA. He has a B.S. degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and an M.S. degree in finance.
Audit Nightmares & Control Failures: Lessons from the Inside
Traci Brown
Keynote Speaker
Traci Brown, Inc
Named TIME Magazine’s top deception detection expert, Traci Brown has mastered the art of uncovering secrets hidden in plain sight. Her customizable presentations equip organizations to make smarter decisions in key areas such as sales, hiring, negotiations, investigations and fraud prevention.
Traci has been featured on Nancy Grace, CBS, NBC, and more and is ranked the #3 body language expert in the world. She is the author of How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft, and has trained alongside top law enforcement.
Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Keynote Speaker
Traci Brown, Inc
Named TIME Magazine’s top deception detection expert, Traci Brown has mastered the art of uncovering secrets hidden in plain sight. Her customizable presentations equip organizations to make smarter decisions in key areas such as sales, hiring, negotiations, investigations and fraud prevention.
Traci has been featured on Nancy Grace, CBS, NBC, and more and is ranked the #3 body language expert in the world. She is the author of How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft, and has trained alongside top law enforcement.
Liar Liar Pants on Fire
Billy Cano
Producer, Director
Corte Video
Billy Cano is the founder of Corte, an award-winning Austin-based creative agency. With 20 years of dedicated experience within financial institutions, Billy possesses a profound understanding of the credit union movement, from the nuances of regulation to the core of its member-focused mission.
His background in sales and business development has given him a unique perspective on how to market products and services in a mission-based industry. In 2016, Billy launched Corte to harness this expertise, producing award-winning advertising and marketing primarily for credit unions. By combining his strategic sales background with a powerful creative vision, Billy helps credit unions across the country connect with their members and drive their mission forward.
Marketing & Business Development Session
Producer, Director
Corte Video
Billy Cano is the founder of Corte, an award-winning Austin-based creative agency. With 20 years of dedicated experience within financial institutions, Billy possesses a profound understanding of the credit union movement, from the nuances of regulation to the core of its member-focused mission.
His background in sales and business development has given him a unique perspective on how to market products and services in a mission-based industry. In 2016, Billy launched Corte to harness this expertise, producing award-winning advertising and marketing primarily for credit unions. By combining his strategic sales background with a powerful creative vision, Billy helps credit unions across the country connect with their members and drive their mission forward.
Marketing & Business Development Session
Frank Drake
Senior Counsel
Smith Debnam
Frank Drake started practicing law in 1978 and currently focuses on creditors’ rights, creditors’ bankruptcy, and commercial litigation. Frank has worked with credit unions, lenders and other financial institutions to enforce contracts, minimize losses, navigate compliance issues, and fight fraud.
Frank has held compliance seminars for clients and taught classes on bankruptcy and commercial law for several bank and credit union associations. He has spoken at several student loan lending agencies, credit unions, and state and local bar associations and is listed as a Best Lawyer in the 22nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, an established benchmark of legal excellence.
Frank served as Wake Forest Town Commissioner from 2005 to 2013 and currently serves on the board of directors for the Wake Forest Fire Department. As an accomplished cabinetmaker with a true appreciation for the master craftsmanship of yesteryear, Frank is involved in community efforts to preserve and restore historic sites and homes and serves on the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society board of directors.
Elder Abuse: The Ultimate Betrayal
Senior Counsel
Smith Debnam
Frank Drake started practicing law in 1978 and currently focuses on creditors’ rights, creditors’ bankruptcy, and commercial litigation. Frank has worked with credit unions, lenders and other financial institutions to enforce contracts, minimize losses, navigate compliance issues, and fight fraud.
Frank has held compliance seminars for clients and taught classes on bankruptcy and commercial law for several bank and credit union associations. He has spoken at several student loan lending agencies, credit unions, and state and local bar associations and is listed as a Best Lawyer in the 22nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, an established benchmark of legal excellence.
Frank served as Wake Forest Town Commissioner from 2005 to 2013 and currently serves on the board of directors for the Wake Forest Fire Department. As an accomplished cabinetmaker with a true appreciation for the master craftsmanship of yesteryear, Frank is involved in community efforts to preserve and restore historic sites and homes and serves on the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society board of directors.
Elder Abuse: The Ultimate Betrayal
Chris Folse
Advisor
Catalyst Strategic Solutions
Chris is a highly accomplished finance leader with over a decade of experience in financial management, business strategy, and risk analysis. Passionate about delivering data-driven solutions, Chris is dedicated to fostering innovation and aligning financial strategies with business goals.
Prior to joining Catalyst, Chris was Vice President of Finance and Analytics for a Dallas mortgage lender. In this role, he spearheaded the development of forecasting models, business initiatives, and profitability strategies, driving organizational growth and operational excellence.
He has held leadership positions at premier financial institutions and his expertise spans financial statement reporting, market risk management, and complex deal structuring, making him a vital contributor to organizational success.
Chris holds a BSBA in Finance from Oklahoma State University and completed multiple FINRA license exams.
Interest Rate Outlook and Impact on Credit Union Balance Sheets
Advisor
Catalyst Strategic Solutions
Chris is a highly accomplished finance leader with over a decade of experience in financial management, business strategy, and risk analysis. Passionate about delivering data-driven solutions, Chris is dedicated to fostering innovation and aligning financial strategies with business goals.
Prior to joining Catalyst, Chris was Vice President of Finance and Analytics for a Dallas mortgage lender. In this role, he spearheaded the development of forecasting models, business initiatives, and profitability strategies, driving organizational growth and operational excellence.
He has held leadership positions at premier financial institutions and his expertise spans financial statement reporting, market risk management, and complex deal structuring, making him a vital contributor to organizational success.
Chris holds a BSBA in Finance from Oklahoma State University and completed multiple FINRA license exams.
Interest Rate Outlook and Impact on Credit Union Balance Sheets
Neil Goldman
President
Goldman Consulting & Strategy (GCS), Inc.
Dr. Neil Goldman is the author of The Escalator Effect and president of Goldman Consulting & Strategy (GCS), a firm specializing in organizational development and perceptual research. Since founding GCS in 2002, Neil has worked with over 500 organizations across 49 states, helping leaders turn insights into action through strategic planning, research, and workshops. A frequent speaker and long-time industry columnist, Neil is known for facilitating positive change through data-driven leadership.
Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: Understanding the Power and Influence of Culture in Your Credit Union
Designing and Changing Culture for Your Credit Union: From Ideal to Real-Making Culture Work in Practice
President
Goldman Consulting & Strategy (GCS), Inc.
Dr. Neil Goldman is the author of The Escalator Effect and president of Goldman Consulting & Strategy (GCS), a firm specializing in organizational development and perceptual research. Since founding GCS in 2002, Neil has worked with over 500 organizations across 49 states, helping leaders turn insights into action through strategic planning, research, and workshops. A frequent speaker and long-time industry columnist, Neil is known for facilitating positive change through data-driven leadership.
Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: Understanding the Power and Influence of Culture in Your Credit Union
Designing and Changing Culture for Your Credit Union: From Ideal to Real-Making Culture Work in Practice
Brian Hinze
President & CEO
NCU-ISAO
As President & CEO, Brian is responsible for overseeing the organizational operations and executing the strategic mission and vision of NCU-ISAO. He is committed to the success of the organization’s members and their journey to cyber resilience.
Brian joined NCU-ISAO in 2016 and brings 20 years of experience participating in and leading member associations. Brian has also worked for international companies, while also leading small business-focused teams. He has received multiple individual industry awards in his career, while completing several respected technical, sales and leadership training programs across multiple industries.
Deepfakes: A Risk to Credit Unions, Their Leadership, and Their Members
President & CEO
NCU-ISAO
As President & CEO, Brian is responsible for overseeing the organizational operations and executing the strategic mission and vision of NCU-ISAO. He is committed to the success of the organization’s members and their journey to cyber resilience.
Brian joined NCU-ISAO in 2016 and brings 20 years of experience participating in and leading member associations. Brian has also worked for international companies, while also leading small business-focused teams. He has received multiple individual industry awards in his career, while completing several respected technical, sales and leadership training programs across multiple industries.
Deepfakes: A Risk to Credit Unions, Their Leadership, and Their Members
Kevin Ives
Forvis
As a member of Forvis Mazars’ National Financial Services Group, Kevin leads the St. Louis – Decatur Forvis Mazars’ credit union practice and serves as one of Forvis Mazars’ Northwest Region representatives on the credit union committee. He serves as a facilitator of an operations technology forum and is a former member of Forvis Mazars’ internal CECL committee. He has spoken at industry events including a recent CECL presentation at a credit union conference and written articles for the firm. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Missouri Society of CPAs.
Kevin regularly attends St. Louis chapter of Credit Union events. He has a B.S degree in accounting from Butler University in Indiana, and a master's degree in accounting, with an emphasis in audit.
Audit Nightmares & Control Failures: Lessons from the Inside
Forvis
As a member of Forvis Mazars’ National Financial Services Group, Kevin leads the St. Louis – Decatur Forvis Mazars’ credit union practice and serves as one of Forvis Mazars’ Northwest Region representatives on the credit union committee. He serves as a facilitator of an operations technology forum and is a former member of Forvis Mazars’ internal CECL committee. He has spoken at industry events including a recent CECL presentation at a credit union conference and written articles for the firm. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Missouri Society of CPAs.
Kevin regularly attends St. Louis chapter of Credit Union events. He has a B.S degree in accounting from Butler University in Indiana, and a master's degree in accounting, with an emphasis in audit.
Audit Nightmares & Control Failures: Lessons from the Inside
Curt Long
Vice President of Data & Research and Chief Economist
America's Credit Unions
Curt has been in the credit union industry since 2010 and currently leads a team dedicated to supporting the association’s data-driven advocacy. He also conducts industry and research and is frequently quoted by national and trade press on economic topics. Long holds a master's degree in economics from Texas A&M University.
Economic Update
Vice President of Data & Research and Chief Economist
America's Credit Unions
Curt has been in the credit union industry since 2010 and currently leads a team dedicated to supporting the association’s data-driven advocacy. He also conducts industry and research and is frequently quoted by national and trade press on economic topics. Long holds a master's degree in economics from Texas A&M University.
Economic Update
Andy Manthei
Change Cultivator
GreenPath Financial Wellness
Andy Manthei is a Change Cultivator with GreenPath Financial Wellness and for 16 years has empowered people to lead financially healthy lives. Before joining the GreenPath team, Andy was a credit union branch manager and loan officer.
At GreenPath, Andy has taken on leadership roles fiercely advocating for several key IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) innovative initiatives including Credit Escalator, Filene’s Racial Economic Equity Incubator, AACUC’s Generation Boost, and becoming an organizational Ally with CUPride. Economic and social justice are key drivers of Andy’s work. Through human centered design, behavioral science, and empathy, he builds trust and connection with marginalized and underserved communities to close racial wealth gaps.
Financial Wellness
Change Cultivator
GreenPath Financial Wellness
Andy Manthei is a Change Cultivator with GreenPath Financial Wellness and for 16 years has empowered people to lead financially healthy lives. Before joining the GreenPath team, Andy was a credit union branch manager and loan officer.
At GreenPath, Andy has taken on leadership roles fiercely advocating for several key IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) innovative initiatives including Credit Escalator, Filene’s Racial Economic Equity Incubator, AACUC’s Generation Boost, and becoming an organizational Ally with CUPride. Economic and social justice are key drivers of Andy’s work. Through human centered design, behavioral science, and empathy, he builds trust and connection with marginalized and underserved communities to close racial wealth gaps.
Financial Wellness
Ken Otsuka
Senior Risk Consultant
TruStage
Ken Otsuka has 35 years TruStage experience within risk management specializing in risks associated with payments, deposits, funds transfer/ACH, and fraud. Ken is a commonly featured author for our RISK Alerts and a speaker throughout the U.S. He was previously an insurance auditor.
Ken resides in Illinois and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Fraud Trends
Senior Risk Consultant
TruStage
Ken Otsuka has 35 years TruStage experience within risk management specializing in risks associated with payments, deposits, funds transfer/ACH, and fraud. Ken is a commonly featured author for our RISK Alerts and a speaker throughout the U.S. He was previously an insurance auditor.
Ken resides in Illinois and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Fraud Trends