GoWest Congratulations the 2024 Advanced Leadship Program Graduates

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on October 9, 2024

2024 Advanced Leadership Program - Seattle/Portland Cohort

GoWest proudly announces the 2024 graduates of the Advanced Leadership Program. This year’s class of 21 credit union professionals graduated with sustainable leadership practices, new thinking, and a clear understanding of their unique development path moving forward, as well as a network of industry peers.  

The mission of the program is to deepen the bench strength and fast-track the talent readiness of tomorrow’s leaders. This program aims to produce a deeper understanding in each individual of their current levels of empowerment and accountability for themselves, enabling them to take more effective and decisive action. 

2024 Advanced Leadership Program – Denver Cohort

“Each module introduced unique and powerful concepts,” explained Cesar Chavez, Internal Support Manager, Rogue Credit Union. “Developing a detailed Leadership Development Plan has been a game changer, providing me with a clear roadmap to pursue the career direction I’m passionate about. The program has strengthened my leadership abilities and given me practical tools that I use daily.” 

“This program was transformational for my career by teaching me the importance of assertions vs assessments, generating effective feedback and landing presence,” said Danielle Wallace, Real Estate Lending Manager, Credit Union West. “I can now assess situations on a higher level to foresee the impact on the organization level which enables me to generate assessments that will have a more effective impact up front.” 

“You begin the Advanced Leadership Program with the goal of becoming a better leader, but by the end, you have also become a better person,” shared Tyler Disburg, CEO/President, Pathfinder Federal Credit Union. “My team now works with intention, defining what success looks like before we begin. We operate as a cohesive unit, guided by a clear vision, a stated mission, and defined conditions for success.”  

Congratulations to the 2024 Advanced Leadership Program Graduates!  

Denver Cohort 

• Bluey Kwech – 1st Mortgage Sales Manager, Blue Federal Credit Union 
• Melissa Romero – VP of Branch Operations, Minnequa Works Credit Union
  
• Julie Bowman – VP of Credit Resolutions, Minnequa Works Credit Union
  
• Mallory Fischbach – CFO, Foothills Credit Union 
• Christy Varner – Branch Manager, Old West Federal Credit Union 
• Neda Milani – Lending and Collections Manager, Credit Union of the Rockies 
• Seth Baker – VP of IT, Credit Union West 
• Jeff Lee – VP of Lending, TruWest Credit Union 
• Amber Motley – Data Analyst, Colorado Credit Union
  
• Layna Officer – Director of CU Leadership & Talent Development, GoWest Credit Union Association 
• Tyler Disburg – CEO/President, Pathfinder Federal Credit Union 
• Danielle Wallace – Real Estate Lending Manager, Credit Union West
  

Seattle/Portland Cohort 

• Katie Clark – Director of Administrative Services, Valley Credit Union 
• Cesar Chavez – Internal Support Manager, Rogue Credit Union 
• Melanie McCutcheon – Director of Consumer Lending, Rivermark Community Credit Union
  
• Michael Goings – Operations Support Manager, Mid Oregon Credit Union
  
• Jenelle Stinson – Director of Internal Audit, Kitsap Credit Union 
• Erik Terrel – AVP of Information Systems, Fibre Federal Credit Union
  
• Alicia Stark – Remote Sales Manager, Advantis Credit Union
  
• Havala Flores – Real Estate Operations Manager, Advantis Credit Union
  
• Devin Weiner – Branch Manager, Advantis Credit Union
   

“This program is truly unlike any other. From day one to the last, I learned something valuable,” shared Chavez. “It’s intensive, powerful, and, at times, challenging, but it’s also immensely rewarding and fun. It helped me unlock new levels of leadership, and I believe any leader would benefit from the experience.” 

“The Advanced Leadership Program exposed me to concepts that challenged previously settled truths, requiring both unlearning and relearning,” Disburg continued. “The instructors are deeply committed to your development, particularly in executive presence, presentation skills, and understanding how your actions impact your career.” 

“If you are a newer leader or seasoned, the information and skills taught in the course will have a deep impact on your growth trajectory,” Wallace said. “Leadership is more than learning basic surface-level qualities; it is a deep level of understanding in yourself to see your full potential. I have never been in a leadership class where self-clarity and accountability have been front and center. It was extremely refreshing.” 

Location and online registration information for the 2025 Leadership Institute and Advanced Leadership Program will be available soon. Please contact Layna Officer, Director of Credit Union Leadership and Talent Development, at [email protected] for more information about the 2025 programs.  

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Leadership, Oregon, Regional Member News, Top Headlines, Washington, Wyoming.