Rick Olson
Rick Olson has been vitally connected to the credit union world for the past 34 years. He has authored two STAR modules, is the past host of America’s Credit Union Conference, and was the instructor for CUNA’s World Class Service Leadership Institute. Rick has worked with credit unions in 46 states, helping them develop healthy work cultures focused on effective sales and world-class service. He is the founder of the Coaching College, which equips managers and leaders with the skills they need to coach their employees effectively. He is also the founder of the Emerging Leaders program, helping fast-track young leaders towards key management positions. He has been a featured speaker at the World Credit Union Conference. Rick is also the author of the best-selling book, Unleash Your Greatness. He and his wife Lori live in NW Wisconsin.
Welcome & Opening Keynote: Thinking Big for the Future

Marco Palma
Texas A&M University
Dr. Marco A. Palma is Regents Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on consumer economics, experimental and behavioral economics, and neuroeconomics. Palma is a Texas A&M Presidential Impact Fellow and AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow. He serves as Director of the Human Behavior Laboratory, a transdisciplinary facility that uses state-of-the-art technology to measure neurophysiological responses in human decision-making. His work integrates these responses with traditional behavioral research methods to better understand, predict, and influence behaviors that enhance health, prosperity, and well-being. Palma also serves as Interim Associate Director of the Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture, leading Responsive Agriculture. In this role, he promotes innovation in agriculture and the food environment to build an economically prosperous system that delivers safe, nutritious, and abundant food to support public health.
The Human Lab: Revealing the Emotional Brain