The new website includes a digital application that allows professionals to apply for up to three events at once, and was designed to formalize the process and improve the user experience, Culp said. The mentorship program, which Culp said she is particularly excited about, matches young professionals with people in leadership roles, and facilitates a mentorship relationship that lasts between three and 12 months. Culp noted the program helps eliminate the awkwardness of looking for a mentor.

"It has an end date, so there are no hard feelings if they don't want to continue it. They can continue it if they want, or they can part ways," she said. "Also, young people don't always have access to executives, especially in a small industry."

Culp added she's seen evidence that the crasher program makes a difference in participants' careers. As an example, she said one crasher – Mayra Alcaraz, marketing data analyst at the $835 million Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union in Los Angeles – become inspired to transition from an accounting position to an analyst position to make a bigger impact on members, as well as launch an internal young professionals group at the credit union. Some former crashers even have gone on to become CEOs, she noted.

"My hope is that they go back [to their credit union after crashing] inspired and empowered, not only to build a career but to help the industry stay competitive," Culp said.

See a portion of Culp's interview with CU Times onsite at ACUC in the video below.