CUNA announced four keynote speakers for the 2020 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), scheduled for Feb. 23-27 in Washington, D.C. Registration is currently open for the credit union system’s premier advocacy event, which will be attended by more than 5,000 credit union leaders from all 50 states.

Nicole Wallace and Stephanie Cutter

Cutter, a prominent voice in the Democratic party and one of the party’s “top strategists and crisis managers,” according to POLITICO. She has crafted messages for President and First Lady Obama, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, President Bill Clinton and Senators Harry Reid, Edward M. Kennedy, and John Kerry (during his presidential campaign).

Wallace is a political analyst, MSNBC anchor and top strategist for the GOP. She was special assistant to the president and director of media affairs at the White House under President George W. Bush and also served as communications chief during Bush’s election campaign. Wallace was the senior campaign advisor for the 2008 McCain-Palin presidential campaign and previously served as a press secretary for Republican Governor Jeb Bush.

Both speakers are respected political experts known for their exceptional ability to deliver key messages that drive action. They’ll share their experiences and insights in a fast-paced—and sure-to-be entertaining—point/counterpoint style.

CUNA Board Vice Chair Troy Stang, president/CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association, will moderate the point/counterpoint discussion between Cutter and Wallace.

“CUNA GAC provides an unparalleled opportunity to hone our skills as advocates for the credit union movement,” said Todd Spiczenski, CUNA chief products officer. “What better way to do that than learning from Stephanie and Nicolle, two of Washington’s top strategists and communicators.”

Platon

Platon, one of the world’s most well-known and respected photographers, who’s worked to promote inclusion and human rights around the world will also speak at CUNA GAC.

Platon has won accolades for his photos of both the powerful and the powerless. His 2007 cover shot of Vladimir Putin, for Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, won 1st prize at the World Photo Press Contest. And Platon was honored with a Peabody Award for a project done collaboratively with The New Yorker magazine and Human Rights Watch in 2011.

In 2013, he founded a non-profit foundation, The People’s Portfolio, which aspires to create a visual language that breaks barriers, expands dignity, fights discrimination, and enlists the public to support human rights around the world. He’s also published four books, including SERVICE, which is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. military.

“Inclusive financial opportunity is a hallmark of the credit union system,” said Spiczenski. “Platon will bring a fresh perspective to this discussion and provide a powerful opportunity for us to broaden our horizons and our efforts.”

David Plouffe

Plouffe is the changemaker behind President Obama’s successful presidential campaigns, C-suite counselor and bestselling author.

He is most widely known for his role in crafting President Barack Obama’s successful campaign strategies. His unprecedented approach to reach voters by leveraging technology and big data, harnessed the power of the Internet and sparked a grassroots movement that forever changed the campaign landscape.

An authority on organizational structure, Plouffe has a well-deserved reputation for effectively managing large teams, especially during periods of disruptive change. After his time in the Obama administration, Plouffe brought his expertise to Uber, where he oversaw all global policy and political activities, as well as communication and branding.

In 2017 he joined the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropy started by Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla, where he heads policy and advocacy efforts.

Plouffe is author of The New York Times best-seller The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory and hosts the political podcast “Campaign HQ.”

“Credit union leaders are looking to unconventional leaders who have navigated the impact of innovation,” said Spiczenski. “David Plouffe brings critical experiences and insights and we’re excited to learn from him at the GAC.”