New CUDEs Find Pride and Purpose in Their Credit Union Journey

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on July 30, 2025

In June, 54 credit union leaders from across the U.S., including five from the GoWest region, were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) program.

The DE program is an immersive, week-long, in-person training experience that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose, and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. Throughout the week, leaders engage in small and large group exercises and interactive speaker sessions focused on the credit union difference, empathy, and financial well-being for all.

GoWest Regian Graduates

• Nate Bill, Sr. Community Engagement Manager, Northwest Community Credit Union, a Division of TwinStar Credit Union
• Mary Mindieta Bugg, Assistant Vice President, TruWest Credit Union
• Sterling Clay, Retail Education Liason II, Ent Credit Union
• Shayla Gross, Community Engagement Officer I, STCU
• Steven Stapp, President and CEO, Unitus Community Credit Union

Eye-Opening Moments

“One of the most eye-opening parts of the CUDE training was realizing just how deeply the credit union movement is rooted in improving lives, not just through financial services, but by addressing real development issues like health, housing, and education,” said Nate Bill. “Working and learning alongside my assigned group was also a highlight. We built trust quickly, collaborated without titles, and supported one another through every challenge. It reminded me how powerful it can be when we set aside roles and come together around a shared mission.”

“The experience has us working together without titles or positions so that input from all is valued,” Steven Stapp shared. “It was great to think about the issues of another community, discuss as a group, and ultimately come up with a proposed solution.”

“I was surrounded by individuals who share the same passion I do for spreading the credit union movement—and that sense of community was so powerful,” Sterling Clay remarked. “We worked with the ALICE reports, and the statistics we uncovered were staggering. It opened my eyes to just how many people are living on the edge, silently struggling. That knowledge lit a fire in me.”

What It Means to Have the CUDE Designation

“I’m now part of a global network of changemakers in the credit union space who believe that financial well-being should be accessible to everyone,” explained Bill. “It affirmed that the work I do in community engagement isn’t just about outreach, it’s about advocacy, empowerment, and removing barriers.”

“Earning the CUDE designation means everything to me. I am beyond proud to be a DE,” Clay said. “It’s given me a renewed sense of pride and purpose. I’ve always loved teaching others, and now I get to do that with a stronger voice — sharing the credit union difference and helping our teams see the bigger “why” behind what we do. I’m already thinking about how I can inspire others to go through CUDE themselves, because this experience is too powerful not to be shared.

Lessons Learned

“I’m always out in the community, whether it’s building partnerships, leading financial education classes, or supporting local events,” said Bill. “CUDE gave me a renewed sense of intentionality and purpose in that work. I’m coming back with a sharper lens for seeing where the real needs are not just showing up, but showing up in ways that truly matter.”

“After being in the movement for 25 years and sending many employees to this program, I was able to participate and have firsthand experience on how the credit union principles and philosophy can be deployed to enhance our communities,” shared Stapp. “It’s a powerful testament of the unity of our movement to spend a quality experience with fellow practitioners.”

“I’m not just bringing the cooperative principles back to my credit union—I’m weaving them into everything I do. In my role, I get to educate our front-line staff on technology, member conversations, and service excellence,” Clay explained. “Now, I have a deeper lens through which to approach it all. Talking about the cooperative principles has strengthened how I connect with our staff — and in turn, I’ve seen them latch onto the message. It’s led to stronger, more meaningful conversations with our members and a renewed sense of connection to our purpose.”

“I left CUDE feeling not just inspired, but compelled — to speak up, to educate, and to be a louder advocate for people helping people,” Clay said.

“This experience reminded me that it’s not just about access to financial services, it’s about equity, dignity, and creating opportunities where they didn’t exist before,” Bill concluded. “I’m more committed than ever to ensuring our credit union’s presence in the community reflects those values and helps bridge the gaps that keep people from thriving.”

These graduates join more than 3,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have previously received their CUDE designation.

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