Forty-six credit union professionals became Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after being guided by dedicated program facilitators and mentors through intensive training from the National Credit Union Foundation Sept. 13-20 in Madison, Wis.

“With 29 years in the credit union movement, this program was undoubtedly the best class I have ever attended,” said Aaron Bresko, vice president of indirect lending and consumer underwriting at BECU, Tukwila, Wash. “It was fun, challenging and opened my eyes to a new world of opportunities. I wish every credit union employee worldwide could have the privilege of having this experience.”

During the recent week-long program, participants were involved in group exercises, field trips, discussions with speakers from around the credit union system, and are required to complete team projects proposing solutions for credit unions to help alleviate or eliminate challenging situations in any given area.

For this training’s final case studies, participants worked through and presented solutions to critical issues that included financial stability among young adults and families, credit union board development, building microfinance programs in the Philippines, credit union solutions to predatory lending, the increasing issue of homelessness in America, and rejuvenating a stagnant credit union.