The Power of Peer Connection at Executives@Coeur d’Alene

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on August 19, 2026

Credit union leaders from across the GoWest region gathered in Coeur d’Alene on Aug. 4-6 for Executives@Coeur d’Alene, GoWest’s premier executive conference. While the event featured thought-provoking speakers and timely discussions, attendees consistently pointed to something else as the most valuable part of the experience: the opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in an intimate setting designed for meaningful conversation.

With leaders from every state in the region represented, the conference provided an opportunity to step away from day-to-day demands and focus on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the Credit Union Movement.

This year’s conference also welcomed the inaugural Next Gen Executives cohort. These emerging leaders quickly became part of the conversation, bringing fresh perspectives, curiosity, and energy to discussions throughout the event.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the opportunity to engage with peers and hear different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” said Annettee Babb, CEO of PrimeSource Credit Union.

(L-R) Speaker Carmen Ohling and Cathy Graham, EVP, Desert Financial Credit Union

The agenda featured a range of topics designed to inspire both professional and personal growth. Carmen Ohling, CEO and Founder of The Amplified Life Company; Jerame Mudick, Founder of ReConnect Mind Body & AyrBreathwork; and Lindsey Piegza, Managing Director and Chief Economist at Stifel, challenged attendees to think differently about leadership, well-being, and the economic forces influencing members and communities.

A panel of credit union executives also explored what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams. Facilitated by Larry Ellifritz of CCCU, the panel featured Deidra Miner of Red Canoe Credit Union, Cathy Graham of Desert Financial Credit Union, and Bryan Thomas, of Meridian Trust Federal Credit Union. The conversation focused on how executive teams can align around strategic priorities, foster accountability, and build cultures that translate strategy into meaningful results.

That message resonated with Babb, who said the session on coordinating strategy for greater impact reinforced the importance of connecting organizational goals with leadership actions and employee engagement. “It provided practical ideas that will help strengthen strategic thinking, leadership effectiveness, and organizational alignment,” she said.

Technology and advocacy were also key topics throughout the event. Attendees explored the evolving opportunities and challenges surrounding artificial intelligence with GoWest Solutions partners Origence and Zest AI, gaining insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping the credit union landscape.

The group also put its advocacy skills to the test through a crisis response tabletop exercise led by GoWest’s advocacy team. The hands-on experience challenged participants to think strategically, communicate effectively, and respond to a rapidly evolving scenario, reinforcing skills that are increasingly critical for credit union leaders.

For Lindsey Welch, President and CEO of MountainCrest Credit Union, who attended Executives@Coeur d’Alene for the first time, the conference’s atmosphere made a lasting impression. “This conference was a great benefit to me because it was really intimate, where I actually felt like I connected with peers,” she said.

Welsh especially appreciated the CEO roundtable discussions, where executives from institutions of varying sizes found common ground in the challenges they face. “The challenges that smaller credit union CEOs face are often the same challenges that large credit union CEOs face, just at a different scale,” Welch said.

That sense of connection emerged as a defining theme throughout the event. From executive breakout sessions and CEO roundtables to informal networking conversations, attendees valued the opportunity to compare experiences, share strategies, and gain new perspectives from fellow leaders.

More than a leadership conference, Executives@Coeur d’Alene created space for credit union leaders to think strategically, strengthen relationships, and return home with actionable ideas. Attendees left with fresh perspectives, practical tools, and a renewed appreciation for the power of learning alongside peers who are navigating many of the same opportunities and challenges. In an industry built on collaboration, those conversations may prove just as valuable as anything learned from the stage.

If Executives@Coeur d’Alene is any indication, the future is bright. We look forward to continuing the conversation at Executives@Lake Washington in Seattle next year.