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Program Descriptions

Tuesday, January 13, 2026


Best Governance Practices for Boards and Audit Committees

Bonus Session 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Amy Hillman, PhD
Professor and Rusty Lyon Chair of Strategy
Arizona State University

Field of Study:
Business Management & Organization

Non-Technical Credits:
3.0


This bonus session will focus on standards of good governance for boards and audit/supervisory committees. Participants will explore their own governance practices vis-à-vis other volunteer boards with an eye towards advancing good governance and achieving optimal board/committee outcomes.

Learning Objectives:
  • Benchmark your board and audit/supervisory committee against others’.
  • Learn about how evolving standards of governance can improve your board and audit/supervisory committee.
  • Prioritize areas for improved governance in your board and audit/supervisory committee.


The Wonderful World of Artificial Intelligence

Bonus Session 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM


Field of Study:

Non-Technical Credits:
3.0




Learning Objectives:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026


Foster Curiosity in Your Organization for Exponential Growth

General Session 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Diana Kander
Author & Innovator


Field of Study:
Personal Development

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


A serial entrepreneur who entered the United States as a refugee from Ukraine at the age of 8, Diana had launched and
sold millions of dollars worth of products and services by her early thirties. Today, she is an innovation consultant,
keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author whose books have been taught in over 100 universities.

As a consultant, Diana has helped create multi-billion dollar products, coached boards and executive committees on
innovation best-practices, and implemented culture transformations. She brings these experiences to each and every
keynote, delivering entertaining case studies and perspective shifting stories.

Diana has truly cracked the code on how Curiosity can serve as the catalyst for exponential growth, and she thrives on
helping audiences understand that they can get better results if they learn how to ask better questions



Regulatory Update

General Session 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Brian Knight, Esq.
President & CEO
National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors
Jeff Owen
COO
Rochdale

Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


Credit union volunteers need to stay abreast of the concerns and priorities of their regulators.  In this session National and State regulators will present their perspectives. The session will be facilitated by Jeff Owen, COO of Rochdale.

Learning Objectives:
  • Review regulatory hot buttons for NCUA and State Examiners.


Economic Update

General Session 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Byron Gangnes
Professor Emeritus of Economics
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Field of Study:
Economics

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


2025 was a year of high economic uncertainty. The advent of a second Trump Administration brought disruptive changes to government, international trade, and other areas. These came at a time when the US economy was showing signs of slowing. Adding to the uncertainty was persistent inflation, which threatened to delay any further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. 

Learning Objectives:
  • Review US and global economic developments over the past year. Has the effect of uncertainty and tariffs tipped the economy toward recession, or has underlying strength won the day? What can we expect for the next few years?
  • Learn about factors that will influence the economy, including labor market health, household finances and spending, Administration and Federal Reserve policy, and the health of the global economy.
  • Explore the likely path of the economy in 2026 and beyond. What might that mean for Credit Unions?

Thursday, January 15, 2026


The Credit Union (Organic) Growth Playbook:

General Session 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Sam Brownell
Founder & CEO
CU Collaborate

Field of Study:
Management Services

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


In today’s increasingly competitive financial services landscape, many credit unions find themselves struggling to achieve meaningful and sustainable growth. This session offers a practical and provocative roadmap for how credit unions can stop spinning their wheels and start building lasting momentum.



Learning Objectives:
  • Review common pitfalls and organizational blind spots that keep CUs stuck in a cycle of stagnation.
  • Explore how culture, training and internal alignment can supercharge or sabotage your growth efforts.
  • Discover how designations like the Low-Income Designation and certification as a Community Development Financial Institution can be leveraged to access funding, expand capacity and drive mission-aligned growth.


Modern Cyber Risks and Mitigation Strategies

General Session 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Randy Romes
Principal
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Field of Study:
Information Technology

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


This session will explore the current state of cyber threats.  We will explore how attackers target credit unions, their members, and their vendors and service provider with attacks including phishing and account compromises, and vulnerable applications leading to data breaches, data theft and ransomware.

We will discuss attacker motivations, common “low hanging fruit,” and strategies to prevent intrusions where we can, and mitigate the impact of intrusions or breaches when they occur.  We will review case studies and “in the news” examples from the last 24 months that had significant impact on businesses.  Throughout the session we will examine root causes leading to breaches, and mitigation strategies to minimize likelihood and impact.
 


Learning Objectives:
  • Recognize common threats and social engineering techniques.
  • Identify online behaviors that can lead to increased exposure.
  • Learn where the organization can focus valuable risk mitigation resources.
  • Develop and refine a framework of knowledge to plan future security efforts.

Friday, January 16, 2026


No Bored Boards: Here's What Should be on Your Agendas

General Session 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Frank Diekmann
Credit Union Journalist


Field of Study:
Management Services

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


So much has changed since VLI last met on Maui. In this session, Frank J. Diekmann, publisher of the CU Daily and the CU Board Brief, will provide his annual overview of all the change taking place in credit unions and financial services, with a focus on what boards should be giving attention—and not be distracted by. This will be another lively, fast-paced hour, unless you don’t like it, in which case it’s going to drag for you.

Learning Objectives:
  • Get updated on the issues affecting all credit unions and their boards: regulations, competition, broader trends and more.
  • Learn what should be on your planning agenda for the next year and beyond.
  • Learn how other credit unions are innovating and responding.


Stump the Economist

Breakout Session 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Byron Gangnes
Professor Emeritus of Economics
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Field of Study:
Economics

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


There’s never enough time to consider all the questions you have about the economy. Here’s an “Open Mic” chance to ask about those things, whether that’s interpreting data, evaluating macro policies, understanding connections to the global economy, or whatever. Bonus points and a free lunch if you can Stump the Economist!



Learning Objectives:
  • Learn what economic topics are of most concern to other credit union board members. How do they relate to the perceived opportunities or challenges they face?
  • Understand more fully a selection of important macroeconomic topics. What are key areas of uncertainty about the economy’s future path or of debate within the economics profession?
  • Hear what Professor Gangnes thinks are a few essential issues that we tend to glance over in our Economic Update discussions.


Maximizing Member Benefit Through Mergers

Breakout Session 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Sam Brownell
Founder & CEO
CU Collaborate

Field of Study:
Communications and Marketing

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


While mergers in the credit union industry are often viewed through the lens of survival or scale, the most impactful mergers are those that put members at the center. This session explores how credit unions can approach mergers not as a last resort, but as a proactive strategy to maximize member value, expand impact, and ensure long-term viability.



Learning Objectives:
  • Learn why mergers should be viewed not as endings, but as opportunities to unlock more value for members—and how to shift internal and external narratives accordingly.
  • Explore frameworks for quantifying member benefit in the context of a merger—from rates and fees to access, technology, and service quality.


Audits are a Journey - We'll Guide the Way

Breakout Session 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Brandon Wilson
Principal
Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC
Candace Silvers
Audit Supervisor
Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC

Field of Study:
Auditing

Non-Technical Credits:
1.0


Effective and efficient communication is the backbone of any successful relationship. Pivotal roles are played by all - from executives and board/committee members to accountants and auditors. Come along as we highlight changes impacting our industry, discuss how to build collaborative rapport, and ways to best navigate the winding road of the auditor-auditee partnership.

Learning Objectives:
  • Understand recent and upcoming accounting standards and statement on auditing standards updates.
  • Discuss common and expected impacts relative to those ASUs and SASs.
  • Build better, lasting relationships with those dreaded auditors!!

Saturday, January 17, 2026

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