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Filene Research Institute is now accepting applications for its long-running innovation leadership program, i3, the Madison, Wis.-based think tank announced last week.
Those accepted into the two-year program will have the opportunity to work in cross-functional teams to learn key innovation competencies, explore the biggest challenges facing the credit union industry and design solutions. Credit union professionals can learn more about the program and how to apply here. Applicants are required to submit a short video introducing themselves, written responses to questions about why innovation is important to them and their motivation behind wanting to join i3, and a letter of recommendation from their manager or CEO.
The candidates selected to join the 19th cohort of i3 will be announced on Jan. 17.
"Filene has recalibrated the i3 curriculum to maintain a focus on human-centered design but also to incorporate leadership skill building to help participants better understand where they are as individuals today, and what they need to become better leaders," Filene Chief Product Officer Christie Kimbell stated. "Any time you drive innovation, you are creating change and as the adage states, 'change is hard.' This program helps close gaps on leadership skills and creates thoughtful and strategic leaders that will truly create change across their organizations and around the country."
In addition to recruiting for its next i3 cohort, Filene is encouraging emerging credit union leaders to enroll in Crash Course, a 10-month virtual program hosted by Filene's Cooperative Trust that enables participants to learn about new Filene research, as well as connect with other emerging leaders across North America and members of Filene's Inner Circle, Innovation and i3 communities. Crash Course enrollment is open through Dec. 31.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
