Adriana Calderon
Sr. Manager of Project Management & Strategy at Firstmark Credit UnionAdriana Calderon is the Sr. Manager of Project Management & Strategy at Firstmark Credit Union where she assists the organization in completing and prioritizing strategic initiatives. Credit Unions have played a big part in her life, setting a foundation for her passion to be of service to others.
Motivated to inspire the Gen Z and Millennial generations, she started a Young Professionals Group at her organization to create an inclusive space where young professionals can share experiences, gain insights into industry trends, and access opportunities for professional development. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs with her husband and playing with her dachshund named Winnie.
Alyssa Atkins
Digital Marketing Manager at Raiz Federal Credit UnionAlyssa Atkins, MSDMA (Master of Science in Digital Marketing Analytics)
I am the Digital Marketing Manager at Raiz Federal Credit Union. I have seven years of experience in the marketing industry, four of which have been in the credit union space. I am passionate about serving the predominantly Hispanic and often underserved communities in El Paso, Texas, by empowering and educating my community to achieve a brighter financial
Anali Martinez
Founder/Editor-in-Chief of The Nueva LatinaAnali Martinez Gonzalez is a civil engineer, influencer, digital content creator, and advocate for the Latinx community. Anali is a Graduate Engineer B in Land Use Review with the City of Austin Development Services Department. At the City of Austin, Anali reviews site plans for compliance with land development standards for drainage and water quality. In 2015, she started a lifestyle blog called The Nueva Latina that now has over 5,000 readers a month. Since 2015, @thenuevalatina has grown on social media with over 33.3k followers combined and over 10 million views on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. In 2017, The Nueva Latina officially became an LLC. Anali enjoys time with her husband, baby girl, pups, family, and friends on the weekends. She loves to run, work out, read, and write.
Aurelio Arroyo González, MBA
President/CEO of Jesús Obrero CooperativaHe holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts with a concentration in Political Science and completed all the courses required for a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Additionally, he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. He is also a Certified Personal Finance Coach.
He began working at the Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Jesús Obrero in 2005 and has held the positions of Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering Officer, Vice President of Administration, and since 2009, Chief Executive Officer of the institution.
He has been a guest speaker at Credit Union forums in various Caribbean countries, at Credit Unions forums in the United States, and at professional associations in Puerto Rico on topics such as Sustainability, Financial Models for the Transition to Renewable Energy, Community Resilience Models, Financial Models for Affordable Housing, Cooperative Financial Inclusion, Secondary Capital Investment Models and New Liquidity Sources for the Credit Unions System, the Shared Branch Cooperative Model, among other topics.
Mr. Arroyo is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Puerto Rico Cooperative Circuit, Alianza Cooperativa del Este, INCLUSIV, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Banco Cooperativo de Puerto Rico. Additionally, he served at the the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Association of Cooperative Executives, serving as its president for two years (January 2022 to March 2024). Since 2014, he has been a professor in the Extension Program at the Cooperative Institute of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.
Barbara Mojica
Executive Director of NLCUP- General Session- Intersectionality Within the Movement
- Young Professionals Making Change and Breaking Barriers
As a dedicated advocate for the Latinx community and immigrant rights, Barbara brings extensive experience in community engagement and financial services. Since February 2024, she has been serving as a Board Member at the North Carolina Immigration Law and Justice Center, where she gets to contribute in the advancement of immigrant rights and ensuring equitable access to justice.
Since August 2022, Barbara has been the Executive Director at NLCUP, where she has led strong initiatives that foster impactful community partnerships and support the Latinx community within the credit union movement. Barbara has been part of the credit union movement for over 7 years now and is committed to ensuring that credit unions understand how to better serve the Latinx community through her advocacy efforts.
Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and was the Protégé winner for her respective credit union in 2018. Her academic background has equipped her with a deep understanding of social dynamics and the importance of community-centric approaches in financial services.
Her passion for helping Latinx communities and supporting other Latinx credit union professionals drive her commitment to financial empowerment and social justice.
In her free time, you can find Barbara exercising or getting into her crafting projects. She loves spending time with her nieces and nephews; Shannely, Sharlyn, Nathaniel, Jesus, Sebastian, Beto, Ximena, and Gabby.
Berenice Garcia Hernandez
Financial Education Specialist at Unitus Community Credit UnionBerenice Garcia Hernandez is a Financial Education Specialist at Unitus Community Credit Union, with over seven years of experience in financial services. While at Unitus she co-founded the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employee Committee, leads an Employee Resource Group, and is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. In 2022, she received a Community Heart Award for her community service, and in May 2023, was honored as the Latinx Credit Union Professional of the Month by NLCUP for her work with the Consulate of Mexico in Portland. Berenice is passionate about expanding access to credit unions and increasing financial literacy to empower our communities to reach their financial goals.
Carol Rose
EVP, Member Service Operations at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit UnionCarol is the Executive Vice President of Member Service Operations at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and fourth largest in the nation, with more than 1.4 million Members and over $30 billion in assets.
Carol is responsible for the operational management and service delivery of the credit union, in addition to leading over 1,600 team members across multiple operation centers and over 70 branches statewide. She is passionate about team development and creating an engaging culture of coaching and inclusion for her teams, where every teammember can evolve into the best version of themselves.
Carol is an MBA Candidate 2025 at USC’s Marshall School of Business and has a BA in Economics from UC Santa Cruz. She also holds her FINRA Series 7, 24, 66, California Life & Disability Insurance License and is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School. Carol currently serves on the board of Comunidad Latina Federal Credit Union (CLFCU).
Carol resides in Anaheim Hills with her husband Steve and two young boys, Stevie and Sebastian. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her boys play baseball
Carlos R. Calderon
President/CEO of OAS Staff FCUCarlos is the President/CEO of the OAS Staff Federal Credit Union headquartered in Washington, DC and a co-founder and Director of the National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals (NLCUP). Throughout his career, Carlos has worked as a consultant on various credit union development projects throughout the Americas. He has been a guest speaker at several international conferences on financial and credit union development topics. Received WOCCU’s Silver Award for Credit Union Development in Bolivia in 1995, and the Development Educators’ Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2005. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Credit Union Mortgage Association (CUMA) and CUNA’s World Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the board of advisors of the University of North America. Carlos holds an Executive Masters in Leadership from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from Marymount University
Carlos Garcia
CEO/Founder of FinhabitsCarlos Garcia, CEO and Founder of Finhabits. Carlos is a serial entrepreneur with over 17 years of fintech experience. He is passionate about providing access to high-quality financial services to underserved communities. In 2020, he was named one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2020 by Goldman Sachs. Carlos has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was born in El Paso, TX and currently resides in New York City.
Chelsia Neto
CDFI Coordinator at Connections Credit UnionChelsia Neto Chelsia Neto is a leader with extensive experience in impactful projects. As the CDFI Coordinator at Connections Credit Union, she has led initiatives to support underserved and underbanked communities. Her previous role as a Research Analyst at Caldwell Housing Authority involved addressing affordable housing barriers and fostering positive relationships within the community. Currently, she serves as a Professional Development Committee member of the Boise Young Professionals, Young Professional Board Member of Girls on the Run Treasure Valley, and Board Director of Philosophy and Action of the Southwest Chapter Idaho Credit Union. Chelsia is dedicated to creating inclusive environments and empowering communities through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts.
Christian Guadron
Financial Representative at SchoolsFirst FCUChristian Guadron is a Financial Representative specializing in employee-sponsored retirement plans. In his role, he focuses on educating and assisting members about their retirement plans and helping them plan for their financial future. I am the oldest of 4 children and the only boy in the family! I was raised by my 2 parents Cristian and Maria. I love to spend time with my friends and family and most of all taking my dog Otis on a walk or to the beach! I am a huge fan of soccer and support Real Madrid.
Diana Cervantes
VP of Social Impact at RIZE Credit UnionDiana Cervantes is Vice President of Social Impact at Rize Credit Union and Executive Director at the Center for Financial Empowerment, a 501c3 founded by Rize Credit Union. With over two decades of experience, Diana is committed to developing equitable products and services aimed at breaking the generational poverty cycle and building responsible wealth. As a passionate advocate for the community, Diana brings a wealth of knowledge to the community development and CDFI space, she is known for her personalized approach when building relationships, and mentors others towards professional development opportunities. Diana is founding President of the Juntos Avanzamos Chapter created by Inclusiv, NLCUP and the California and Nevada CU League, serves on the Social Impact Committee for the California and Nevada CU League, leads BankOn coalition implementation and is a Board Member for the Ventura County Library Foundation and ACE Ruth Youth Build in Los Angeles CA.
Edgar Hernandez
Sr Mgr, Multicultural Bus Strategy at TruStageEdgar leads the company’s first Multicultural & DEI Advisory Services team. He is passionate about using innovation, behavioral science, and data analytics to improve the financial well-being of underserved communities.
Prior to this role, Edgar worked for Delve, a top-tier design and innovation firm that helps Fortune 500 firms and start-ups launch game-changing products. He also spent 9 years at American Family Insurance, where he was recruited to join their first Client Research team, first Customer Experience team, and once again, the company’s first Innovation team.
Edgar received his bachelor’s in finance from Iowa State; his MBA in from University of Wisconsin-Madison; and a Certificate in Strategic Decision and Risk Management from Stanford University. In 2023, he was named among Wisconsin’s 40 Most Influential Latino Leaders.
In his spare time Edgar enjoys spending time with his family; serving at a bilingual church; and dancing to Latin/Tango music.
Emma Hayes
Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at NCSECUEmma Hayes is the chief learning and engagement officer for the North Carolina-based State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU). In her role, she oversees equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) learning and organizational development, and employee engagement. She has over 25 years of experience serving in various roles. Her experience includes her current role as Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) for the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). There she provides guidance and support to credit unions, business partners and affiliate organizations. Emma is a two-time graduate of North Carolina State University.
Erica Flores, CUDE, CCUFC
Branch Manager II at Rivermark Credit UnionOver 20 years of experience in the Credit Union industry having spent the last 15 at Rivermark Community Credit Union in various roles, currently as a Branch Manager. I currently lead DEI efforts as the Co-Chair of our DEI panel and am a proud Development Educator (CUDE). My passion lies in being an advocate to the underserved and undervalued communities through connection and compassion. I hold an associate degree in business administration. I currently serve as the President of the board for Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation and President of the Juntos Avanzamos/NLCUP PNW Chapter.
Esperanza Poblano
Training Manager at African-American Credit Union Coalition- Leveraging Social Media to Reach Latinx Populations
- DEI from the Top: Representation on Governance Crash Course
Esperanza Poblano is a training manager with over 10 years of experience in the financial industry. She is passionate about continued education, people development and is committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives industry wide. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated effective leadership skills and communication skills while working with a remote team.
Currently, Esperanza Poblano works at the African-American Credit Union Coalition, where she is responsible for training consultations, training development, member communication and social media content creation. She is particularly proud of her work on the AACUC DEI Leadership Academy for Financial Professionals and is passionate about inviting young professionals into the industry and working with boards and executives on succession planning.
In her free time, Esperanza enjoys spending quality time with her son and husband exploring the great Idaho outdoors, traveling as much as possible to learn about other cultures, and sitting down to enjoy a good book.
Jean Carlos Rosario Mercado
Program Associate at InclusivJean Carlos is a Program Associate at Inclusiv Network, providing administrative and programmatic support. He has over five years of leadership experience, enhancing operational efficiency through innovative projects. Jean played a significant role in the cooperative movement, launching and managing the first workers and consumers cooperative at the University of Puerto Rico in 2014. He also served as a Project Manager at FIDECOOP in 2018, supporting regional cooperatives with financial and consulting services. In 2021, he became a Product Manager at a tech startup, handling diverse digital projects. Jean holds a BA in labor relations and a master’s in labor studies.
Jeff Ivey
President/CEO of River City Federal Credit Union- Innovative Small Business Lending Practices with Latinx in Mind
- Legal and Regulatory Issues Face by CUs When Serving Non-Residents and Non-Citizens
Jeff Ivey is President/CEO of River City FCU, a CDFI, MDI and Juntos Avanzamos credit union located in San Antonio, Texas. He and wife Janice are court appointed child advocates with CASA of Central Texas, working with children that are under CPS custody due to abuse and neglect. Jeff serves on the Board of Directors for Inclusiv and recently completed his term on the CFPB's CU Advisory Council. He also serves on the Board for the Asset Funder’s Network in San Antonio and the SA YWCA’s Wage Equity panel, and is past President of the SA LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.
Jennifer Esperanza, Ph.D.
Sr. Director of Organizational Culture and Strategy at Coopera ConsultingJenn serves as Senior Director of Organizational Culture and Strategy at Coopera Consulting, promoting efforts to ensure financial inclusion for a variety of underserved populations. She is a trained cultural anthropologist with two decades of research and teaching experience on culture and economics. She provides training for staff on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) topics, advises organizations on best practices to ensure equitable workplaces, and assists credit unions to design products and services that are culturally relevant.
Prior to joining Coopera in 2021, Jenn spent 17 years as a college professor. She has taught at North Carolina State University, Southwestern University, and since 2008, was a professor at Beloit College in southern Wisconsin, where she was the first Asian American woman to be promoted for tenure.
The daughter of mixed status immigrants from the Philippines (documented and undocumented), Jenn was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She majored in Anthropology and Linguistics at USC, and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from UCLA. Jennifer is frequently invited to give public lectures on topics including immigration, DEI and organizational change for corporate and non-profit audiences, and she serves on the Board of the Wisconsin Humanities Council. She currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two children.
Joao Vilca Soto
Environmental Sustainability ERG Co-Chair & Member Consultant II at BECUJoao Vilca Soto is an Environmental Activist with experience in Sustainable Research throughout the Western United States, the Amazon Rainforest, and Iceland. After graduating from Cascadia College with a Bachelor’s in Sustainable Practices, Joao founded Ruta Verde Sustainability, a Nonprofit working to restore our world's forests using Indigenous Agroforestry techniques. Joao is also locally involved with environmental groups like the Environmental Professionals of Color, Climate Citizen’s Lobby, Climate Reality Project, and Wild Sky Trails.
Julissa Arce
Activist/Writer/ProducerJulissa Arce is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and social justice advocate who, with America Ferrera, is currently developing and executive producing a television series for a major network optioned from her bestselling memoir, My (Underground) American Dream. Her young adult memoir, Someone Like Me is used in classrooms across the country. Her new book, You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation is a dual polemic and manifesto, where Julissa dives into and tears apart the lie that assimilation leads to belonging. Instead Julissa offers a bold new promise: Belonging only comes through celebrating yourself, your history, your culture, and everything that makes you uniquely you. Only in turning away from the white gaze can we truly make America beautiful. An America where difference is celebrated, heritage is shared and embraced, and belonging is for everyone. Through unearthing veiled history and reclaiming her own identity, Julissa shows us how to do this.
She was named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Woman of 2017 and 2022 and 2019 Woman of the Year by the City of Los Angeles. She is a leading voice in the fight for social justice, immigrant rights and education equality. Julissa has contributed to The New York Times, TIME, Buzzfeed News, Crooked Media, CNBC, and is one of the hosts of Crooked Conversations. She has provided political commentary across numerous TV networks including NBC News, Bloomberg TV, CNN, and MSNBC.
In order to help other young people in similar circumstances, Julissa co-founded the Ascend Educational Fund (AEF). AEF is a college scholarship and mentorship program for immigrant students in New York City, regardless of their ethnicity, national original or immigration status. She also serves on the board of directors of the National Immigration Law Center. She was officially sworn in as an American citizen in August of 2014.
Kenia Calderon Ceron
VP/Bilingual Business Development at GreenState Credit UnionAs a native of El Salvador, Kenia has been a tireless advocate for immigrant communities and their well-being in the credit union movement. With nine years of experience in the industry, she specializes in the implementation of ITIN lending programs, financial inclusion planning and bilingual marketing. At Iowa’s largest financial institution, GreenState Credit Union, she identifies new business opportunity and partnerships to drive bilingual membership growth. In 2022, Kenia was named the Credit Union Time’s Rising Star. Kenia is current pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, IA.
Larry Garcia
Retired Chief Lending Officer at NALCAB• A native of El Paso, Texas, and has a BBA and MBA from the University of Texas--El Paso. He has extensive training and experience in Small Business Lending, Mortgage Lending Financial Education, Homeownership programs, and Affordable Home Development
• Larry has been active with Credit Unions for thirty-six years in various positions: Chairman, Board Member, CEO or Vice-President.
• He is currently serving as Director of Lending and Asset Management for the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders -NALCAB, a national non-profit CDFI membership organization
• Larry worked from 2016-2019 as Vice-President for Community Development and Outreach for Mountain Star Federal Credit Union, a CDFI in El Paso, TX.
• Larry was Vice President of Community Development of GECU, a $2.5B CDFI Credit Union until March 2016.
• Larry served as President/CEO for 15 years of El Paso Credit Union Affordable Housing---a CDFI Credit Union Service Organization formed by eight credit unions. Concurrently, he was also President/CEO of El Paso Credit Union HOAP Inc.—An affordable housing 501c3 non-profit and HUD Housing Counseling agency until April 2016.
• Prior to this he served as President of a mortgage company specializing in the Hispanic, Low-to-Moderate Income, affordable housing, and small business markets from 1994 to 2001.
He has served:
• A Special Government Employee of the HUD Office of Housing Counseling serving as a HUD Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee member —Mortgage Sector
• As a White House Domestic Policy Council community development resource for 2 years, representing the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders.
• On the Board of Texas C-Bar (Community Building with Attorney Resources),
• On the Consumer Federation of America’s Hispanic Advisory Committee, where he served as director of the Hispanic America Saves Program,
• As a resource to Fannie Mae, the Dept. of Treasury, IRS, HUD, and the National Credit Union Foundation, Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs.
• On Fannie Mae’s Community Technology Council.
• On Fannie Mae’s Credit Union Advisory Council.
• A founding member of NALCAB -serving on the board for 12 years.
• On the Boards of Directors of TSWAG Fed. Cr. Union and West Texas Credit Union, a CDFI for 20 years, serving as Chairman for nine years.
HONORS & AWARDS:
U.S. Congress Special Recognition for Community Service, Texas State Senate Recognition for Community Service, US Dept. of Treasury-IRS Community Service Leadership Award, Financial Education Individual Best Practice Award—National Disabilities Institute, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Laura Sehres
Vice President, DEI and Employee Experience at VeleraLaura Sehres, a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) at PSCU/Co-Op Solutions, strategically enhances the company's organizational effectiveness through inclusive and equitable talent management and employee experiences, establishing the company as an industry leader in DEI and workplace culture. As a strategic thought leader and advisor, she integrates DEI and Employee Experience practices into the organizational fabric, helping to earn industry accolades such as the 2023 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award , Forbes' America’s Best Midsize Employers 2023 and Glassdoor’s Best-Led Companies 2024. Laura's initiatives prioritize employee well-being, engagement and innovation, fostering a workplace aligned with inclusivity and continuous improvement.
Leonardo Nieto
Assistant Branch Manager at Palmetto Citizens FCULeonardo Nieto is an accomplished financial professional serving as an Assistant Branch Manager at Palmetto Citizens FCU for over 2 years. With a business and accounting certification, Leo has demonstrated a keen ability to manage and lead within the financial services of South Carolina. As an immigrant, Leo's personal journey fuels his commitment to support others in navigating the financial landscape. He leverages his experiences to connect with and inspire community members, emphasizing the importance of building financial wealth and security. His vision is to continue making meaningful difference in the lives of the Hispanic Latinx community, helping them to achieve their financial goals and build a prosperous future.
Leslie Jenkins
AEVP, Learning + Organizational Development at SECULeslie Jenkins is the Associate Executive Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development for the second largest credit union in the United States, headquartered in Raleigh, NC. State Employees’ Credit Union employs more than 7,000 individuals, $53 billion in assets and 2.6 million members. Leslie’s responsibilities include producing staff development programs that support cultural transformation and accelerate strategic initiatives.
Leslie has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Liberty University, and she holds the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation. She is also an active member of the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). Prior to joining SECU, Leslie worked in the credit union fin-tech space leading the areas of Lending, Marketing and Strategic Business Growth.
As a new Executive Director of NLCUP, Leslie is excited to bring her passion for education and advocacy of under-represented populations to ensure they are positioned to support the credit union industry now and in the future.
Ligia Vado
Senior Economist at America's Credit UnionLigia (Ligi) Vado has over 20 years of experience leveraging economics and finance research.
Ligi serves as a Senior Economist in Americas’ Credit Unions’ Data and Research department. In that role, she conducts economic research and supports Americas Credit Union’s analytics efforts. Her work centers on data analysis and effective data visualization.
Vado has extensive experience developing data science solutions, big data analytics, business intelligence, as well as quantitative analysis. Before joining Americas’ Credit Unions, she was an Adjunct Professor of Business Analytics at Thomas More University. She also performed analytical work at TruStage and the World Bank.
Ms. Vado earned a Ph.D. in Economics from North Carolina State University and an M.Sc. degree in Agricultural & Applied Economics from Texas Tech University.
Lydia Lozano
Sales Executive at TruStageLydia Lozano began her career at TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Group) in 1998 as a support specialist in the wealth management area serving Plan America/MEMBERS Financial Services Program credit unions located in Houston, Corpus Christi, El Paso, and Albuquerque, NM.
In 2003, I accepted a position as Collateral Products Manager serving our CPI credit unions in Texas and New Mexico.
I moved into my current role of Account Executive in 2009 where I serve as the primary point of contact for all things TruStage to approximately forty credit unions located in Albuquerque, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Houston, Edinburg, Laredo, and Lubbock.
Career Experiences:
•Twenty-five-year experience working with credit unions
•Licensed in Life, Health, Property & Casualty in New Mexico and Texas
•Credit Union Development Educator, Class of 2018
•Five-time President’s Council Qualifier
I have been living in Houston, Texas since my family immigrated to the United States in 1980. I am a mom to two adult sons, Dakarri and Taurean, as well as a big sister to Xochitl who joined our family in 2014. Last, but not least, I am also a dog mom to Apollo, an extra special Aussie doodle I adopted during the pandemic. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, or taking a class at the gym.
“At the end of the day, I would rather be excluded for who I include, than be included for who I exclude.”
Maria Martinez
President/CEO of Border Federal Credit UnionMaria J. Martinez is the President/CEO of Border Federal Credit Union (BFCU), a Juntos Avanzamos credit union headquartered in Del Rio, TX, serving over 25,000 members. Maria is a proud Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). She has been in the credit union industry for over 30 years, 23 of those years as BFCU's President/CEO. Maria’s passion is making positive connections and being of service to others.
Maria is a co-founder and the Chairwoman of the National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals (NLCUP); serves on the CUNA Board representing CUNA’s District 5, Class A credit unions; is a founding member and Vice-Chairwoman of the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance (CUWLA); is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC); is a member of the CU DEI Collective group formed in 2019; serves on CUNA’s CU Awareness LLC Board; and serves in other boards and committees.
Under Martinez's leadership, BFCU expanded its field of membership from 3 to 13 Texas counties; obtained the Community Development Financial Institution Certification (CDFI) for BFCU; implemented a free home/financial counseling program available to members, military personnel and non-members; offers free income tax preparation to low income tax payers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and targets youth through programs such as an annual youth fair and an annual youth financial summer camp.
Among the recognitions Maria has received for her professional accomplishments, community contributions and leadership are the 2017 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the 2015 Woman of Distinction Award by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), the 2016 Cornerstone Credit Union League Professional of the Year Award and other recognitions.
Maria was born in Mexico, immigrated to the USA when she was 13, grew up in San Antonio, TX, and she is constantly advocating for the financial wellness of Hispanic, women and the underserved.
Mary Navarrete
Director of Community Impact at Point West CUMary Navarrete has been with Point West Credit Union for almost two decades and is currently the Director of Community Impact. She began as a teller and advanced to Loan Officer before assuming her current role. Mary holds an Associate Degree from Clark College and is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. She participated in the credit union exchange program in the Dominican Republic through the World Council of Credit Unions. She has earned multiple certificates from Mt. Hood Community College in Financial Management, Consumer Lending, Professional Development, and Credit Union Management.
In 2019, Mary received the Young Credit Union Leader Award from the Northwest Credit Union Association (now GoWest Credit Union Association) and represented Oregon as a GAC Crasher in Washington, DC. A first-generation immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico, she has lived in Washington since 1997. Mary is the board chair at Bienestar, Vice President of Juntos Avanzamos/NLCUP Pacific Northwest Chapter, and a committee member of the Global Women's Leadership Network Sister Society. She is dedicated to supporting underserved communities by promoting financial stability and education, believing everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue the American dream.
Max Villaronga
President/CEO of Raiz Federal Credit UnionMax Villaronga is the President and Chief Executive Officer of TFCU since 2014. TFCU was originated in May of 1936 and has over $740 Million assets, 10 local branches, and over 64,000 members. Mr. Villaronga has built his experience working in a variety of industries and has worked for such notable organizations as The Home Depot and the United States Marine Corps.
Mr. Villaronga is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor in Business Administration, the University of Texas at Dallas with a Master of Business Administration in the Global Leadership Program, the Graduate School of Retail Banking at Furman University, and he is a Certified Chief Executive (CCE).
Max has been married to Erin, a San Antonio native and fellow Texas A&M graduate, for 21 years. They parent two wonderful children, Sarah (18) and Rachel (13), that excel in school and enjoy reading, art, music, sports and the outdoors. Mr. Villaronga currently is involved on the Board of Trustees for the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Greater Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, co-founder and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals (NLCUP), the Advisory Board for the Boy Scouts Yucca Chapter of El Paso, and he represents Texas in the CUNA Consumer Protection Subcommittee.
MDJ Ortiz-Frausto
Business Development Officer at FirstLight Federal Credit UnionMaria De Jesus Ortiz-Frausto (MDJ) is a Business Development Officer with over a decade of experience in marketing and 3 years in her current role, responsible for protecting and enhancing the brand image and presence of FirstLight Federal Credit Union in both business and local communities. MDJ specializes in coordinating and managing community outreach, financial literacy, and business development in the greater El Paso, Las Cruces, WSMR and Fort Bliss Markets.
MDJ embodies FLFCU’s mission statement of “Improving Lives and Achieving Dreams”, utilizing her many years of experience to garner important partnerships with community driven business and influential organizations. Over the years MDJ has received recognition for her service and dedication, earning multiple Employee of the Month awards, and having the distinction of being the only person in FLFCU’s history to earn two Employee of the Year awards. Outside of her current employer MDJ has also earned National Latino Credit Union Professional Employee of the month, and YISD Partners in Education Rookie of The Year awards.
Melia Heimbuck
President/CEO of Credit Union Association of New MexicoBefore becoming President/CEO, Melia led the Association’s legislative, political and regulatory advocacy efforts; assisted credit unions with compliance, risk management, and governance; and directed education programs. Prior to New Mexico, Melia was Principal of Risk Management Solutions for CU Solutions Group (CUSG) and held various positions over 18 years supporting Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming credit unions through the Mountain West Credit Union Association. Melia has small credit union experience, as well as a consumer and commercial lending background. Melia is a licensed attorney in New Mexico, holds an MBA in Finance, and is a proud Credit Union Development Educator (DE).
Michelle Carrera, CUERME, CUCE
Sr. Consultant at Indiana Credit Union League- Innovative Small Business Lending Practices with Latinx in Mind
- Young Professionals Making Change and Breaking Barriers
Michelle Carrera is a Sr. Consultant with the Indiana Credit Union League. She is Guatemalan-American. Her areas of expertise include BSA, Vendor Management, Lending and Consumer Compliance. She is an accredited Credit Union Compliance Expert, as well as a Credit Union Enterprise Risk Management Expert.
Miriam De Dios Woodward
President/CEO of De Dios ConsultingMiriam De Dios Woodward is President & CEO of De Dios Consulting, a company she founded to help businesses grow by engaging the Latino market. She is a transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience supporting, growing and building services and technology businesses. Her executive experience includes 12 years in CEO roles at ViClarity and Coopera Consulting, companies owned by the Iowa Credit Union League.
Miriam has been named one of 32 of the Midwest Region’s Most Influential People of Color by Madison365, a Hall of Fame Top 100 LatinX/Hispanic Executive by theboardiQ, a Woman to Watch by Credit Union Times and Latino Business Person of the Year by LULAC of Iowa.
A native of Jalisco, Mexico, Miriam grew up in Fairfield, California and Perry, Iowa and currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa.
Natasha McAdoo
ACCESS Program Director of NCUANatasha McAdoo is the Program Officer for NCUA's ACCESS initiative, where she connects leaders across the NCUA to refresh and modernize regulations, policies, and programs in support of greater financial inclusion within the agency and the credit union system.
She previously worked at the Cornerstone Credit Union League, where she was appointed the first REAL Solutions Director in Texas, a nationwide program through the National Credit Union Foundation to help credit unions better reach the unbanked and underserved market and expand youth and adult financial education.
Natasha holds a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Houston and is a graduate of Southwest CUNA Management School.
Pablo DeFilippi
EVP at Inclusiv- Climate Action & Resilience: New Lending Opportunities for Credit Unions
- ITIN Lending: It's Not That Hard…
- Engaging Latinx Through Retail Delivery
Pablo DeFilippi is currently SVP at Inclusiv, a national, nonprofit association and CDFI intermediary that represents supports and invests in credit unions serving predominantly low-income, financially underserved communities.
DeFilippi has more than 20 years of experience in community finance and financial inclusion working with regulated financial institutions both in the domestic and international arena. Throughout his career, DeFilippi has implemented, promoted or scaled a number of important initiatives aimed to expanding access to affordable, responsible and sustainable solutions to the financial needs of low and moderate-income consumers.
DeFilippi has held leadership positions in the community development fields: CEO of the Lower East Side People’s FCU a credit union serving financially underserved minority populations in NYC; Managed the World Council of Credit Unions’ International Remittance Program; Worked for the National Cooperative Business Association. During his tenure at Inclusiv, DeFilippi has led some of the most impactful strategic initiatives for the organization.
Rafael Saucedo
Philanthropy Program Manager at BECU- General Session- Intersectionality Within the Movement
- Latinidad in the Credit Union Movement, Let's Celebrate it!
From fundraising in the nonprofit sector to leading philanthropic giving initiatives, Rafael’s career has centered on partnership development and credit union philanthropy. By studying Healthcare Leadership and Community Planning at the University of Washington, Rafael has gained helpful skills and strategies to engage diverse communities and stakeholders across sectors. Rafael strongly believes in cooperatives serving as major drivers for social impact which has led him to work for Gesa Credit Union and now BECU as well as earning a Credit Union Development Educator designation from the National Credit Union Foundation. In addition to helping lead BECU’s philanthropic giving efforts, Rafael also serves as a Co-Chair of BECU’s Latinx Employee Resource Group due to his passion for inclusion and uplifting his Latinx culture. Rafael is also an active member of the National Association of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP) and has become a champion in sharing its mission across the industry.
Raquel Gomez
Community Relations Manager at Seattle CURaquel Gomez has recently joined Seattle Credit Union as the Community Relations Manager. She is a Seattle native with over 17 years of customer service experience with the last 7 years in the Credit Union space, where she led her team in assisting their members in achieving their financial goals and dreams. Raquel currently serves on the board of a local community building organization, Alimentando Al Pueblo, which has the purpose of facilitating healing for a Community that was disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. As a first-generation Latina, Raquel truly understands the difficulty in navigating through financial literacy and uses that to drive her work.
Renee Ortiz
Sr. Executive Assistant at Coastal Credit UnionRenee completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Stony Brook University in New York. She has spent much of her career in public service with a focus on DEI. Renee has dedicated over 20 years advocating for marginalized communities and fighting for issues of Social Justice with a large focus on immigrant rights. She learned to leverage her years of experience and professional relationships to address injustice and inequity in her community. She is now applying that experience to her new role at Coastal Credit Union.
Renée Sattiewhite
President/CEO of AACUCRenée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), brings over 30 years of finance expertise, starting at City National Bank. She advanced to roles like Bank Officer and pioneered as AACUC’s first Internship Program Director. Renée specializes in training, marketing, Customer Service, Communication, Board Development, Team Building, and Strategic Planning. A former Spelman College instructor and United Way facilitator, she holds a B.A. from Oglethorpe University. Renée is a certified diversity professional, credit union development educator, motivational speaker, executive coach, mentoring trainer, and assists with marketing campaigns. She serves on the World Council of Credit Unions Foundation Board and is a Master Trainer for United Way Atlanta’s VIP Board Development Program.
Rosa Franco
Vice President of Lending at InclusivRosa Franco, Vice President of Lending, joined Inclusiv at the end of 2023. She manages the organization's loan portfolio and leads initiatives to identify and design lending solutions, from credit enhancement to strategic partnerships, helping Inclusiv members scale their work in the communities they serve. Her work aligns with the organization's strategic framework, focusing on small business lending, homeownership lending solutions, and green loans.
She started her career in economic development in Peru, which was implemented in urban and rural areas until 2007. That same year, she joined Neighborhood Trust FCU (NTFCU) as director of lending, where she complimented the consumer lending offering with small business and mortgage programs and tailored it to the needs of the local and immigrant communities, including ITIN holders. She was a Member of the Selection Committee of Juntos Avanzamos and is the board's treasurer at NTFCU.
Rosa is a Certified Trainer of Trainers in Adult Education, holds a bachelor's degree in engineering—science Agriculture, a master's degree in Agri-Business Administration, both accomplished in Peru, and a master's degree in public Affairs (MPA) at Bernard M. Baruch College—CUNY. Rosa loves dancing, meeting people, and spending time with family and friends.
Ruby Alvarez
VP of Community Development at GECURuby Alvarez is the AVP of Community Development at GECU. She has been with GECU for twenty-three years. Ruby graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with her BBA in 2001 and her MBA in 2006. Ruby began her career at GECU right out of high school. Her job experience includes positions in Credit Union Operations as a Branch Manager, Lending, and Community Development. Ruby is also the current Executive Director for El Paso Affordable Housing, Vice President of the Money Smart Week Board of Directors, member of National Latino Credit Union Professionals, member of the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation Financial Capability Network, and the Program Chair of the YMCA Board.
Ruby is married and has two kids. She is a lifelong resident of El Paso.
Sofia Villareal
Program Manager of Global Sustainability at United Nations Federal Credit UnionSofia Villarreal is the Program Manager of the Global Sustainability program at the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU). She leads the Global Sustainability Program as General Manager and is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility team. Her focus is on moving forward the UNFCU Impact Goals and spearheading UNFCU’s accountability through ESG Frameworks.
Sofia's expertise extends to ESG management and sustainability strategy; with a bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's Degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University, she has over 13 years of experience in the Financial Sector. In the International arena, she has worked for the International Finance Corporation, the private arm of the World Bank, and the North American Development Bank, where she has focused on climate risk methodologies for an array of sectors in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
Sofia's collaborative approach involves facilitating discussions with stakeholders and senior management to develop sustainability strategies and benchmark corporate performance. Her strategic vision and hands-on approach have led to tangible achievements such as signing the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) and forging UNFCU's path towards double materiality.
Additionally, she has been instrumental in driving initiatives to integrate sustainability throughout the organization. By fostering a sustainability culture from within, she has successfully solidified her position as a leader in sustainable finance and environmental stewardship.
Vanessa Kuduk
VP of Lending & Hispanic Outreach at Members Credit UnionVanessa Kuduk is an immigrant from Peru who started her career in the credit union movement when she interned as a high school senior with Members Credit Union in 2002. In 2005 she became a full time staff member, found her passion and never looked back. Vanessa has moved up through the ranks to her current position as Vice President of Lending and Hispanic Outreach. She has been instrumental in building, creating and implementing MCU’s Hispanic Services, receiving their Juntos Avanzamos designation, building and running an ITIN program to serve the undocumented community and is a true advocate for her members.
She loves teaching financial education classes and facilitating Financial Reality Fairs. Dance is her other passion and she promotes physical health through organizing Zumba fitness master classes raising funds for financial reality fairs and community organizations like New Covenant House. If you know Vanessa, you will always find her in on the dance floor.
She earned her CUDE designation in 2013, became a CaribCUDE in 2019, earning her ICUDE designation in the same year and mentoring a CUDE class in Madison, WI. She had the honor to be featured as one of the 2015 Credit Union Magazine’s Rock Stars, and elected as a GAC Crasher in 2016. She is a CU Certified Financial Counselor, and graduated CUNA Management School with honors. Vanessa currently serves as a director on the Credit Union League of CT Board and as Vice-President of the board of the Hispanic Advisory Council of Greater Stamford.
Vanessa loves forging relationships with her community and with her credit union peers. She is always ready to answer questions and regardless of her tight schedule she is always willing to share with others her knowledge and best practices. She has been a guest panelist for Inclusiv, NLCUP, CUNA, The Credit Union League of CT and also local organizations that trust her work. She loves traveling especially to credit union events because she loves sharing her passion with other credit union passionate people and her free time is spent with her husband, her parents, and her three daughters Valentina, Elania and Aniela.
Education/Designations/Participation:
•2009 Associates Degree in Business Administration, NCC
•2013 CUDE – Madison, WI
•2015 CU Magazine’s RockStar
•2016 GAC CRASHER
•2017 Credit Union League of CT Management School
•2017 CCUFC
•2019 ABUL conference with INCLUSIV delegation, Manchester, England
•2019 CaribCUDE - Jamaica
•2019 ICUDE –WOCCU
•2019 YCUP- WOCCU
•2019 CCUE – CUNA Management School, Madison, WI
•2019 CUDE Mentor – Madison, WI
Current boards serving:
•2018 – 2020: Vice President
•Hispanic Advisory Council of Greater Stamford
•2021- 2023 President
•Hispanic Advisory Council of Greater Stamford Board
•2023- Current: Vice President
•Hispanic Advisory Council of Greater Stamford
•2020- Current: Director
•Credit Union League of CT Board
Thalia Anguiano, M.Ed, CUDE
Multicultural Strategy & DEI Advisor at TruStageThalia Anguiano is a Credit Union DEI Advisor with TruStage. In this role she is responsible for connecting with credit union leaders to guide them through their DEI journeys and multicultural business strategies. This is done through workshops, individualized conversations, presentations, and most notably, the unique Inclusion Institute which has generated over 150 credit union participants nationwide. She is also a Credit Union Development Educator. In her free time, she tackles food insecurity in Chicago by distributing healthy and sustainable groceries to residents in the city’s most prominent Latine neighborhoods. To date, she has served close to 1,000 Chicagoans.
Winona Nava
Retired CEO of Guadalupe CUAfter 13 years with State Employees Credit Union, Winona took the helm of Guadalupe Credit Union (GCU) in Santa Fe, NM, as President/CEO in 1991 when the credit union was $10 million in assets and in conservatorship. The credit union successfully emerged from conservatorship in 1992. The credit union has since grown to $215 million in assets with over 22,000 members. The credit union has earned a reputation in Northern New Mexico as a pioneer in serving low-wealth individuals and as a go-to resource for financial education. GCU received the CDFI designation in 2011 and the Juntos Avanzamos designation in 2015. Winona speaks nationally on the work her credit union does to assist those in most need of help in the communities GCU serves particularly those individuals with an ITIN.
She believes the cooperative spirit of credit unions is a treasure of the credit union movement that must be preserved. Winona and GCU are always willing to share information and resources with other NM credit unions.
• Vice-Chair of NLCUP
• Board Member for the Credit Union Association, serving as Chair in a prior term.
• Prior Chair of the National Credit Union Foundation.
• Served on the CUNA Board for 10 years.
• Member of the CUNA National Advocacy Fund Steering Committee, National Action Response Program Administrative Council, and CULAC Trustee for New Mexico.
Zachary Christensen, CUDE
Director / Executive Director of Mitchell Stankovic & Associates / CU PrideZach Christensen (he/him/his) is the director of communications and digital marketing at Mitchell Stankovic & Associates driving change in leadership, strategic planning, and board governance. He earned his CUDE designation, October 2020, and has over 15 years of experience within the credit union industry in business development, client relationships, market awareness and consumer service.
Zach’s volunteer work includes: Co-founder and executive director of CU Pride, WOCCU’s premier programs, GWLN