Filene Selects 29 CU Leaders to Join i3 Program
Nineteen years into the leadership program, Filene sees record application numbers.
The Madison, Wis.-based Filene Research Institute has a long history of developing credit union leaders with its i3 Program – a two-year program aimed at equipping credit union professionals with new mindsets and tools to lead the industry forward.
On Wednesday, Filene announced its new batch of 29 i3 Program participants from credit unions across the country. Members of the new i3 group will begin their two-year stint following the annual Filene’s Chair Breakfast happening during CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference on Monday, Feb. 27.
According to Filene, the 29 credit union professionals selected for the i3 Program include the following:
- Jonathan Best, CUNA Mutual Group
- Ayaz Bhaiyat, Kinecta FCU
- Deanna Bublik, American Airlines Federal Credit Union
- Jason Buchanan, Blue Federal Credit Union
- Melissa Cade, Chartway
- Erika Carmichael, Zeal Credit Union
- Tommy Gasso, Community Financial Credit Union
- Amanda Hardy, ELGA Credit Union
- Joshua Houde, Credit Union of Colorado
- Jill Johnson, Community Financial Credit Union
- Dana Jones, ELGA Credit Union
- Fernando Mandujano, Westerra Credit Union
- Scott Maronic, Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU)
- Jeremy Maurer, Community Choice Credit Union
- Diana Pham, SchoolsFirst FCU
- Kevin Porter, Municipal Credit Union
- Brent Rempe, Allegiance Credit Union
- Misty Ridenour, Mocse CU
- Jason Scheopner, Centris Federal Credit Union
- Derek Smith, Family Focus FCU
- Joshua Stoltzfus, Redwood Credit Union
- Michelle Thompson, Financial Plus Credit Union
- Stefy Tomlin, True Sky Credit Union
- Jennifer Topzand, Frontwave Credit Union
- André Walcott, Advantis Credit Union
- Karlee Wallin, Royal Credit Union
- Keysha Webb, Vantage West Credit Union
- Chad Williams, Visions Federal Credit Union
- Paul Woointranon, Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union
In a statement from Filene, the research organization received a record number of applicants for this year’s group than any other time in the i3 Program’s 19-year history.
“It is our pleasure to welcome the next generation of credit union leaders into Filene Research Institute’s i3 program,” Filene President/CEO Mark Meyer said. “We are thrilled to have each of these innovators be part of the network of Filene, and we look forward to spending the next two years growing and innovating together with them.”
According to Filene, the group will spend the next two years focusing on three core categories: Facilitating Innovation, Accelerating Learning and Leading Change.
New i3 Program participant and Vice President of Remote Delivery and Innovation at Vantage West Credit Union Keysha Webb said, “Filene is THE think tank for the credit union movement, pushing boundaries and perceptions to help credit unions deploy strategies that will truly help their communities. Being afforded the opportunity to learn from a community of like-minded change catalysts is a career highlight I could not pass up. The individuals in the previous cohorts are inspirational people who thrive on bringing change and energy back to their organizations and who set the example for the type of leader I aspire to be.”
More information on the Filene i3 Program can be found on its website.