Sharee Adkins
Sharee Adkins
Executive Director, Foundation
GoWest Credit Union Association
Phone: 206.340.4823
Toll-free: 800.995.9064 x114
Office: 800.995.9064 x114
Sharee Adkins is the Executive Director of the GoWest Foundation. In this role, she amplifies the impact credit unions have in our community by forging and leveraging partnerships to achieve ambitious goals in the Foundation’s priority areas of asset-building, economic empowerment, and cooperative development.
Adkins holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Boise State University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from University of Idaho. Adkins joined the Northwest Credit Union Foundation after 12 years leading fundraising efforts and implementing large-scale initiatives at public and non-profit organizations in Idaho and Washington.
Adkins is excited to bring her passion and years of non-profit experience to help the credit union movement amplify its positive impact in communities across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
ADDITIONAL MAXX ANNUAL CONVENTION SPEAKERS
Joe Adamack
VP, Legislative Affairs for Washington
GoWest Credit Union Association
Phone: 206.340.4812
Toll-free: 800.995.9064 x102
Joe Adamack is the Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the GoWest Credit Union Association in Washington. In this role, he represents the interests of the state’s 85 credit unions and their members before the Legislature, statewide elected officials, and agencies to ensure state laws and rules support and foster a positive regulatory environment that […]
Dave Adams
VP, Lender Client Experience
Origence
Dave Adams is Vice President of Lender Client Experience at Origence, where he has worked for 22 years. Through strategic advice and product training, he and his team manage the well-being of 1,100 credit union clients, ensuring that they are satisfied overall and reach business retention goals. Dave is a believer in the credit union […]
Mark Alguard
President, Director of Client Strategy
Momentum
Mark Alguard is President Director of Client Strategy at Momentum, a design-build firm that helps credit unions thrive through people-centric branching and workplace strategies. Momentum leads the way in hybrid workplace strategy, activity-based working, and building of inclusive physical environments for the credit union industry. Mark works closely with Filene to research the future of […]
Karan Bhalla
Chief Growth Officer
Trellance
Karan Bhalla, Chief Growth Officer at Trellance, has two decades of financial services and data analytics experience, having worked and consulted for many leading corporations, including Capital One, American Express, and Fannie Mae. He now uses this experience to level the playing field for small and midsize financial institutions. Karan is a regular presenter at […]
Lamont Black
Associate Professor
DePaul University
Professor Lamont Black is a recognized expert on cryptocurrency and blockchain who is a regularly invited speaker for conferences, board presentations, and the media. His teaching on cryptocurrency at DePaul covers aspects of money and investing and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune. In his graduate course on blockchain, he works with business and […]
Jennifer Burns
Marekting Director
Kiosk & Display
Jennifer Burns’ career in financial services includes 18 years at credit unions. Most recently, she was Chief Marketing Officer at We Florida Financial in South Florida. Along the way, she met the Kiosk & Display team and now keeps their marketing efforts humming along as the Marketing Director. Burns holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics […]
Christine Cashen
Emcee, Speaker, & Author
MAXX Emcee
For more than 20 years, Christine Cashen has dazzled an amazing variety of audiences throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. She is an authority on sparking innovative ideas, handling conflict, reducing stress, and energizing employees. Before hitting the speaking scene, Cashen was a university admissions officer, corporate trainer, and broadcaster. She holds […]
Ronny Chapman
SVP, Fintech Solutions
CUNA Mutual Group
Ronny Chapman is SVP of Fintech Solutions at CUNA Mutual Group. The fintech solutions suite of products serves over 4,000 credit unions and 1,600 banks for loan origination and new account opening for offers through acceptance and compliance fulfillment. Before joining CUNA Mutual Group, Ronny was senior vice president and general manager of the North […]
Ancin Cooley
Synergy Credit Union Consulting
Ancin Cooley is the founder and principal of Synergy Credit Union Consulting, Inc., which provides a suite of risk management services to financial institutions. He gained deep, first-hand knowledge of the industry as an examiner at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, where he performed safety and soundness examinations at community and midsize […]
Andy Core
Author and Speaker
Author and Speaker
Andy Core is a credentialed, award-winning authority on increasing employee engagement, productivity, and wellness motivation. His talent lies in helping hardworking, conscientious adults thrive at work and in their personal lives. Andy has spent the past 15 years researching ways to become better equipped to thrive in today’s hectic society — helping organizations build teams […]
Mark DeBree
Catalyst Strategic Solutions
Mark DeBree, managing principal at Catalyst Strategic Solutions, directs risk consulting, balance sheet advisory, and broker/dealer services for credit unions nationwide. Formerly the organization’s vice president of ALM services, Mark has 16 years’ experience consulting credit unions on interest rate risk, liquidity risk, strategic planning, member deposit behaviors, and mortgage servicing portfolios. Drawing on his […]
David Deckelmann
SVP Operational CUSOs
Maps Credit Union
David Deckelmann began his career in the credit union industry in 1998 at Maps Credit Union, where he was hired to launch a background screening CUSO. He has spent the past 24 years working with and building various CUSOs for Maps Credit Union. In 2007 David joined the executive team as the SVP of operational […]
Brad Delcamp
Origence
Brad Delcamp is regional vice president of lender client experience at Origence, a company he has been with for 18 years. He and his team are responsible for enhancing the credit union client experience through solution-based products and strategic partnerships that help reach production and efficiency goals. Brad has been involved with the credit union […]
Rick DeLisi
Glia
Rick DeLisi, lead research analyst at Glia, is an author and presenter who co-authored two business books on customer service: the newly released Digital Customer Service with Glia CEO Dan Michaeli and The Effortless Experience. Prior to joining Glia, he spent 15 years with Gartner, where he specialized in customer experience, customer service, and communications. […]
Ezra Eckhardt
STCU
Ezra Eckhardt, a fifth-generation Spokane resident and president and CEO of STCU, is deeply committed to his community. He has served on the boards of the Spokane International Airport, the Spokane University District, and Gonzaga Preparatory School, and he has been active in Greater Spokane Incorporated and the Downtown Spokane Partnership. A distinguished graduate of […]
Nick Evens
Curql Collective
As president and CEO of Curql Collective, Nick Evens cultivates opportunities to help fintech and credit unions collaborate on breakthrough technologies. His goal is to minimize threats and successfully transform, improve, disrupt, and position the industry with a best-in-class member experience. Before leading Curql Collective, Nick was president of The Veridian Group, part of Veridian […]
Shane Feldman
Founder & CEO
Count Me In
Shane Feldman, engagement expert and founder of international entrepreneurship incubator Count Me In, empowers leading brands to optimize team culture, leadership, engagement, and retention. Recognized by global organizations like the United Nations and brands like Disney and Google, he has researched community leadership on the ground in 29 countries, uncovering universal strategies used to create […]
Theodore Flo
General Council
Zest AI
For more than a decade, Teddy Flo has served as a trusted legal advisor to consumer financial services companies, providing practical legal advice that helps clients achieve their business objectives. He has litigated scores of cases, helped companies navigate high-stakes government investigations, and advised on key regulatory issues. As Zest’s chief legal officer, he works […]
Ellie Fordyce
Chief People Officer
Westerra Credit Union
Ellie Fordyce joined Westerra Credit Union in 2019 and was promoted to Chief People Officer in 2021. Drawing from over a decade of experience in human resource strategies, leadership development, talent acquisition, and management, she drives culture change initiatives while embracing business and financial objectives. Since joining the team, these culture change efforts have resulted […]
Denise Gabel
Chief Can-do-ologist & Founder
Can-do-ology
Denise Gabel is a “Can-do-ologist” as well as an international bestselling author, professional speaker, and mentor on the power of change. She previously served as chief innovation officer at the Filene Research Institute and chief operating officer at Northwest Credit Union Association. Denise supports leaders and organizations in creating a vibe that attracts and retains […]
Denny Heck
Lt. Governor
WA State
Denny Heck is humbled to serve as Washington’s 17th lieutenant governor. First elected in 2020, he brings a lifetime of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to the office. Previously, Lt. Gov. Heck served as a Washington state representative and the first U.S. representative from Washington’s 10th Congressional District. He has successfully grown […]
Kelley Hodney
Attorney
Farleigh Wada Witt
Kelley Hodney works in an advisory role as a regulatory compliance attorney, but she also has experience in a regulatory role with the Oregon Department of Justice and an operational role at Wells Fargo. She maintains an in-depth understanding of issues affecting financial institutions and provides timely compliance guidance to credit unions, banks, and other […]
Lindsay Hooks
Director, Payments & Contract Negotiations
Cornerstone Advisors
Lindsay Hooks is a director in the Payments and Contract Negotiations practice at Cornerstone Advisors. She is a Cornerstone’s Payments School facilitator and employs her expertise to ensure Cornerstone clients gain consistently successful outcomes in their system selections, negotiations and implementations. Lindsay has led cross-functional teams in retail branches, card implementations and core conversions for […]
Joni Hopkins
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Joni Hopkins is a vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Product and Relationship Management Group. She engages and collaborates with community financial institutions throughout the United States to help define and prioritize system improvements that advance payment speed, efficiency, and security. Joni, a champion for electronic banking services, has been with the […]
Amy Hunter
Director, WA CU's
DFI
Amy Hunter has been the director of credit unions for the Department of Financial Institutions since November 2018. She leads a top-notch division of professionals who regulate and oversee 50 state-chartered credit unions, ranging in asset size from $15 million to $30 billion. Before joining the division, she had a 20-plus-year career in gambling regulation, […]
Tracy Jackson
Founder & CEO
HR E-Z, Inc.
Tracy Jackson, founder and CEO of HR E-Z, Inc., is a highly engaging human resources leader and speaker. With over 25 years of business experience, including 15 as an executive, she has extensive knowledge of building and overseeing inclusive, top-performing HR departments in credit unions, as well as in companies across a variety of industries. Tracy is […]
Brian Knight
President & CEO
NASCUS
Brian Knight, president and CEO of NASCUS, has an extensive background in both legislative and regulatory analyses and a comprehensive knowledge of the state and federal credit union regulatory systems. He previously oversaw multiple departments at NASCUS, including professional development and accreditation and state programs. Held in partnership with CUNA, the largest credit union-specific Bank […]
Bob Long
MAP
Bob Long, a tenured business executive with expertise in sales, marketing, innovation, and business acumen, is highly driven through performance execution, revenue achievement, culture creation, and motivational prowess. He believes that a hands-on approach to leadership will exceed expectations and create the momentum necessary to accomplish any company’s combined goals. While Bob advocates for efficient, […]
Kevin Lyons
SECU
Kevin Lyons’ career in the financial services design and facilities industry includes eight years directly with credit unions. Previously he worked in the architectural design field working on a wide variety of projects including financial services, health care and country clubs. Lyons holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from The Pennsylvania State University. ADDITIONAL MAXX […]
Sultan Meghji
Professor
Duke University
Sultan Meghji is a noted expert in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and Web3. He most recently served as the inaugural chief innovation officer at the FDIC and currently works as a professor at Duke University’s Pratt Engineering School. With decades of experience in launching, scaling, and selling startups in frontier technologies, Sultan has […]
Connie Miller
CEO
Credible Advantage
Connie Miller, CEO of leadership and board consulting business Credible Advantage, has served as the president and CEO of Icon Credit Union and the regional president of Horizon Credit Union. She authored Don’t Sabotage Your Career, a leadership book on becoming a respected professional and avoiding unintentional mistakes that can hinder careers and hurt personal […]
Tina Narron
Verity Credit Union
Tina Narron joined Verity Credit Union with a wealth of experience in the financial services industry. She started her career as a teller, working her way through senior lending positions to executive leadership. In addition to managing billion-dollar loan portfolios, Tina has also helped lead organizational and cultural transformations at credit unions to improve member […]
Brenton Paulsen
Maps Credit Union
As a data scientist, Brenton Paulsen helps credit unions utilize data to improve member experience and financial wellness. Currently he is the director of business intelligence at Maps Credit Union, working in digital experience, member feedback, analytics, and process improvement. Brenton led the creation of a new member loyalty rewards program that motivates saving and […]
Will Pohl
Backbase
Will Pohl has over five years of experience at Backbase, where he is now a senior enterprise account executive. Working with community banks and credit unions in various roles, he is passionate about the value that community financial institutions provide to our society while being on a mission to compete with big banks by staying relevant in the […]
Janet M. Powell
Director
OR Department of Finance
Janet Powell is chief of regulation and supervision for the Credit Union Program at the Division of Financial Regulation of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, where she previously served as supervising examiner and manager. Before that, she worked as a financial examiner and review examiner in the banking, trust, and credit union […]
Josh Reed
MAP
Josh Reed, director of solution engineering at Member Access Processing, came from the merchant acquisition world, most notably as a sales engineer for Verifone for several years. During his time there, he designed credit card and mobile solutions for midsize and large merchants and served as the primary technical resource for financial institutions, including Fiserv […]
Mark Robey
Farleigh Wada Witt
As Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Mark oversaw a team of compliance experts providing regulatory compliance assistance to member credit unions. He was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with state and federal regulators to advocate for fair and balanced oversight of credit unions. Mark was appointed by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter to serve […]
Chris Sachse
CEO
Think|Stack
Chris Sachse is CEO and founder of Think|Stack, a managed IT services company delivering cybersecurity and infrastructure services to credit unions nationwide. Finding his entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, he feels his role is to help his talent blossom and achieve their maximum potential by clearing the path and supporting the culture, which is […]
Hal Scoggins
Shareholder
Farleigh Wada Witt
Since 1991, Hal has been representing credit unions, banks, and other financial service providers on state and federal regulatory compliance matters, contract negotiation, dispute resolution, corporate governance, subsidiary operations, mergers, loan and deposit documentation, real estate, bankruptcy and collection, and other issues related to structuring and delivering financial services to consumers and businesses. His in-depth industry […]
Rick Sherrick
Sr. Credit Union Examiner ID
DFI
Rick Sherrick has been fulfilling the Supervisory Examiner Position for Credit Unions since 2009. He has worked for the Department of Finance since October 2003, first as a bank examiner for five years and then on the Credit Union Section for the remaining years. Prior to working for the Department he has worked in a […]
Cindy Shogy-Raimer
Greylock FCU
Cindy Shogry-Raimer is the Vice President and Director of Community Development at Greylock Federal Credit Union, where she has worked for 36 years, starting as a teller. Her previous titles include supervisor of deposit operations, regional vice president of Central County, internal auditor, and vice president of operational risk, but her favorite role is her […]
John Sileo
President & CEO
Sileo Group
John Sileo, president and CEO of Colorado-based think tank The Sileo Group, lost his million-dollar startup, his wealth, and two years of his life to cybercrime. The losses not only destroyed his company and decimated his life savings but also consumed two years of young fatherhood as he fought to stay out of jail. Now, John shares […]
Cameron Smith
VP, Strategic Partnerships & Resources
GoWest Credit Union Association
Phone: 503.350.2234
Toll-free: 800.995.9064 x234
Cameron Smith is Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Resources for GoWest Solutions. In this role, he leads Strategic Link, which connects credit unions to the most relevant business solutions and emerging technology. Smith previously served as Chief of Staff for the Oregon Secretary of State where he led and coordinated a team across the […]
Troy Stang
President & CEO
GoWest Credit Union Association
Phone: 503.350.2212
Toll-free: 800.995.9064 x212
Troy Stang serves as the President and CEO of the GoWest Credit Union Association the trade association representing more than 300 not-for-profit, member-owned credit unions in Arizona, Colorado Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. More than 16.5 million consumers are members of those credit unions. Under Stang’s leadership, the Association is focused on nurturing an innovative […]
Carrie Stapp
CO-OP Solutions
Carrie Stapp, Vice President of integrated marketing and commercialization for nationwide credit union network Co-op Solutions, has more than 20 years of experience in senior management positions in the financial services industry. She helps credit unions of all sizes grow by forming meaningful connections with their members. Carrie has previously served in senior vice president […]
Ben Stuckart
Spokane Low Income Housing
Ben Stuckart, executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium, was born and raised in Spokane, attended Lewis and Clark High School, and graduated from Gonzaga University. He spent 13 years working in the ticketing Industry with the MLB, the Sydney Olympics, and the Oakland Raiders. He has also served as executive director of Communities […]
Mark Valente
State of Colorado
Mark Valente, Colorado’s financial services commissioner, is involved in the examination and enforcement functions of the Division of Financial Services for all Colorado state-chartered credit unions. In addition, he is primary regulator for all state-chartered savings and loan associations and certain financial aspects of life care institutions in the state. In this position, Mark ensures […]
Jennifer Wagner
EVP & Chief Advocacy Officer
GoWest Credit Union Association
Phone: 503.350.2224
Toll-free: 800.995.9064 x224
Jennifer Wagner is the EVP & Chief Advocacy Officer for the GoWest Credit Union Association. She leads the Association’s federal governmental affairs priorities, working closely with the congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. as well as in our region. Wagner oversees the Association’s grassroots advocacy programs and initiatives to raise political action funds to support candidates […]
Amy Walter
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Popular On-Air Political Analyst
Cook Political Report
With over 25 years of experience in the political arena, Amy Walter is an accurate, objective, and insightful analyst with unparalleled access to campaign insiders and decision-makers. Known as one of the best political journalists covering Washington, she is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the nonpartisan “Cook Political Report,” in which she provides analysis of the issues, […]
Dr. Mike Wilkerson
ECONorthwest
Dr. Mike Wilkerson is a partner and the director of analytics at ECONorthwest. He brings over 15 years of private sector experience as an economic consultant and financial analyst. Mike studies urban economics for both public and private sector clients, with a focus on how land use, transportation, and real estate development interact with the […]
Brian Witt
Partner
Farleigh Wada Witt
Brian Witt is a recognized, national expert in the design and delivery of traditional and innovative financial products and services, including internet delivery of financial services. He has developed a comprehensive compliance management financial solution, Compliance Smart, to assist with organizing the workflow for regulatory compliance. He regularly tracks the impact of legislation and court decisions on […]
