A CU Seat at the Table

America’s Credit Unions
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  • POLITICS

Have a seat for candid, member-driven conversations around top industry issues to help credit unions remain strong, essential, adaptable, and thriving. 

  1. JAN 23

    Sponsored: Episode 13: Credit union board governance & leadership

    Visionary partner DDJ Myers Senior Vice President Peter Myers joins the podcast to talk about credit union governance and leadership. Myers discusses the relationship between credit union boards and executive leadership, governance challenges credit unions face, succession planning, and more.  In this episode   Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions   Peter Myers, Senior Vice President, DDJ Myers  Resources  DDJ Myers

    34 min
  2. Episode 12: Regulatory and compliance need-to-know

    JAN 20

    Episode 12: Regulatory and compliance need-to-know

    In this episode   Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions   Ann Petros, Vice President of Policy Engagement and Credit Union Operations, America's Credit Unions  Marilyn Barker, Head of Compliance, America's Credit Unions   Resources  Check out our Compliance Blog  Reach out to our Compliance Team for assistance with federal compliance issues  Read summaries of regulations  Stay up to date on the latest news affecting credit unions   Register for GAC and view our 2026 events lineup  Guest Bios  Ann Petros serves as Vice President of Policy Engagement & Credit Union Operations at America’s Credit Unions. In her role, she oversees the association’s grassroots and state policy and compliance teams. Petros also leads the association's legal advocacy, managing all litigation matters. Previously, Petros served as Head of Regulatory Advocacy, leading the association’s advocacy to federal agencies, including the National Credit Union Administration and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Petros has also worked at a law firm focused on complex commercial litigation.   Petros is a George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School graduate and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Florida State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Binghamton University. Petros is active in the Young Lawyers Division of the Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association.   Marilyn Barker is currently the Head of Compliance for America’s Credit Unions. With over 30 years of experience in the banking and payments sector, Barker has represented many financial service companies in their legal and regulatory compliance matters, including fintechs involved in banking, global money services businesses (including remittance, prepaid, as well as virtual and digital currency companies), as well as payments processing.   Barker served as an enforcement attorney in the Division of Banking Supervision with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and a senior attorney with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission. Most notably, Barker also served as a project officer with FinCEN’s Office of Regulatory Policy and Programs Division and as a team leader for money services businesses and prepaid card industry matters. Also in that capacity, Barker provided guidance and developed policy for the administration of the BSA and AML regulations for financial institutions. She frequently lectured to foreign delegations from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America on the U.S. regulation of money services businesses and informal value transfer systems from an AML and counter-terrorism financing perspective. Barker also served as a U.S. delegate to the Financial Action Task Force, an international body that develops and promotes policies designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Counter-Terrorism Financing Workshop in Melbourne, Australia.

    45 min
  3. Episode 11: Scott Simpson: Behind the Strategy

    12/18/2025

    Episode 11: Scott Simpson: Behind the Strategy

    America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s 2026 advocacy priorities. Simpson also details conversations he’s had with industry leaders, how those shaped the advocacy priorities, and what success will look like.  In this episode   Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions   Scott Simpson, President/CEO, America’s Credit Unions  Resources  Dive into our 2026 priorities  Register for GAC  Stay up to date on the latest news affecting credit unions  View our 2026 events lineup  Guest Bio  Scott Simpson is the president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions, a national trade organization representing the unified voice of the credit union movement and the 144 million members it serves.   Scott has served for more than 22 years in the credit union movement, including leading Utah’s Credit Unions, California’s Credit Unions, and Nevada’s Credit Unions. He is inspired by the power of credit unions to change people’s financial lives and holds a lifelong belief in the power of not-for-profit financial cooperatives.  His mission at America’s Credit Unions is to energize and amplify the life-changing impact credit unions create every day, while also enhancing credit unions’ bipartisan appeal among elected officials and policymakers in Washington, D.C.  Scott has served on the boards of America’s Credit Unions (and legacy organization CUNA) and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. He also chaired the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), and the National Advocacy Fund.  Prior to joining the credit union movement, Scott worked on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch, and led the Utah Republican Party. A Utah native, Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and Japanese from Weber State University and is an instrument-rated private pilot.

    18 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    Sponsored: Episode 10: The future of lending

    Lending partners from America’s Credit Unions’ Visionary program join the podcast to talk about the state of lending and how credit unions can help the modern American. LendKey discussed student lending, AI, and digital banking. FICO talked about credit scores and inclusive lending. Open Lending addressed serving the underserved and maintaining a personal touch in a digital world. In this episode   Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions Ryan Giffin, Senior Vice President of Client Success, LendKey Gigi Ligons, Director of Scores Client Services, FICO Matt Sather, Chief Underwriting Officer, Open Lending Resources  LendKey FICO, Lenders Leading Financial Inclusion Program Open Lending

    29 min
  5. Episode 9: The potential of stablecoins and digital assets

    10/27/2025

    Episode 9: The potential of stablecoins and digital assets

    St. Cloud Financial Credit Union President and CEO Jed Meyer discusses the credit union’s work to release the first credit union-issued stablecoin. He also highlights the value of stablecoins and digital assets, where the regulations may be headed, and why it’s important for credit unions to consider these emerging technologies.  In this episode   Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions   Jed Meyer, President and CEO, St. Cloud Financial Credit Union  Resources  Our letter to NCUA on digital asset custody  Our stance: Technology and Emerging Issues  Stay up to date on the latest news affecting credit unions View our 2026 events lineup  Guest Bio  Jed Meyer is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in banking and credit unions. Since 2014, he has served as President & CEO of St. Cloud Financial Credit Union (SCFCU), leading the institution through more than 350 percent organic growth while maintaining its mission-driven, people-first culture. His expertise in strategic planning, lending, and fintech innovation has positioned SCFCU as an industry leader in digital transformation and community impact.

    29 min
  6. Episode 8: Fighting fraud

    09/30/2025

    Episode 8: Fighting fraud

    Navy Federal Credit Union Vice President of Fraud and Physical Security Carrie Foran Sepulveda joins the podcast to talk about an issue on the minds of credit union leaders across the country: fraud. In this episode, we cover how Navy Federal Credit Union fights it, and what the future of fighting fraud looks like.  In this episode   Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions   Carrie Foran Sepulveda, Vice President of Fraud and Physical Security, Navy Federal Credit Union  Resources  Best practices for fighting fraud   Policy issue breakdown: fraud prevention  Stay up to date on the latest news affecting credit unions  Guest Bios  Carrie Foran Sepulveda serves as the Vice President of Security Strategy at Navy Federal Credit Union, where she leads the strategic direction for Fraud and Physical Security for Navy Federal's nearly 15 million members. Her team is pivotal in making decisions related to technology, operations, and investments to protect against a diverse range of threats. Carrie joined Navy Federal Credit Union in 2012, having previously held leadership roles in Lending and Membership before transitioning to the Security Department. Prior to her tenure at Navy Federal, she taught Algebra in Hawaii as a Teach for America Corps Member. Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Master of Education in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

    32 min
  7. Episode 7: Art of hiking the hill

    08/21/2025

    Episode 7: Art of hiking the hill

    In this episode Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions Gordon Holzberg, Legislative Advocacy Director, America’s Credit Unions Keili McEwen, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Tinker Federal Credit Union Sarah Wainscott, President/CEO, The Wisconsin Credit Union League Resources Register to join us at Congressional Caucus September 7 – 9 Visit our one-stop shop for credit union advocacy resources Subscribe to our YouTube for our Economic Update Stay up to date on the latest news affecting credit unions Guest Bios Gordon Holzberg currently serves as Legislative Advocacy Director for America’s Credit Unions. Prior to joining America’s Credit Unions, Gordon served as Legislative Director for Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC) and then Emilia Sykes (D-OH), where he specialized in drafting, introducing, and advancing bipartisan legislation – including laws that secured $8 billion in funding for affordable housing construction and $150 million for infrastructure investments in HBCUs. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. Keili McEwen serves as Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Tinker Federal Credit Union, Oklahoma’s largest credit union. In this role, she leads all state and federal advocacy, legislative strategy, and political engagement on behalf of the $6 billion financial institution. With more than two decades of experience in public policy, political strategy, and coalition building, Keili brings a forward-thinking approach to influence rooted in principle and purpose. A trailblazer in credit union advocacy, she was the first in-house lobbyist for a not-for-profit financial institution in Oklahoma. Her leadership has helped shape the future of credit union policy while ensuring the voices of members and mission-driven institutions are effectively represented in government. Keili serves on America’s Credit Unions National Advocacy Committee and is an ACUPAC trustee. She is also active with the Defense Credit Union Council, the Cornerstone Credit Union League, and the Oklahoma Credit Union Association. Sarah Wainscott has served The Wisconsin Credit Union League for 15 years through various advocacy roles, culminating in the start of her tenure as President & CEO in January 2025. Her experience and expertise include lobbying, grassroots advocacy, political fundraising, and serving as Wisconsin credit unions' spokesperson on policy with legislators and regulators in Madison & Washington, D.C. She has helped pass bills updating credit union statutes, requiring financial literacy credits for high school graduation, and permitting prize-linked-savings programs while also preventing the introduction or serious consideration of harmful proposals. Sarah serves as a member of the Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists' board of directors, the inaugural Advocacy Committee for the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, and the Governor's Council on Financial Literacy and Capability. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication arts and a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

    38 min
  8. Episode 6: Why banks choose credit unions

    07/17/2025

    Episode 6: Why banks choose credit unions

    Five Star Credit Union President/CEO Bob Steensma discusses how his credit union has purchased banks over the years and his takeaways from the acquisitions. Bob also touches on the market forces at play, system conversions, and the importance of community-centered financial services. In this episode Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions Bob Steensma, President/CEO, Five Star Credit Union Resources Why community banks increasingly choose credit unions as buyers  Banks selling to credit unions is worthwhile collaboration Register for the Strategic Growth Conference and Congressional Caucus Stay up to date on the latest news affecting credit unions Guest Bio Bob Steensma has served as President/CEO of Five Star Credit Union since June 2007, leading the organization through a period of transformational growth and strategic expansion. Under his leadership, Five Star has grown from 7 branches and $140 million in assets to 29 branches and more than $1.2 billion in assets, establishing itself as a leading financial institution in the region. Bob has successfully guided the credit union through four bank acquisitions, ranging in size from $16 million to $180 million in assets, significantly broadening Five Star’s market presence and service capabilities. Headquartered in Dothan, Alabama, Five Star now proudly serves over 68,000 members across 42 counties throughout southeast Alabama and South Georgia.

    31 min
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About

Have a seat for candid, member-driven conversations around top industry issues to help credit unions remain strong, essential, adaptable, and thriving. 

Information

  • Creator
    America’s Credit Unions
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A CU Seat at the Table
  • Show Website
    A CU Seat at the Table