Presenters

DakCU Annual Summit - May 14-16
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort • Larchwood, IA near Sioux Falls, SD

Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort room block is under "Dakota Credit Union Summit." Must call hotel directly for discount rate: 712-777-7777. Special group rate: starting at $124.95/night.
Secondary hotel: GLO Best Western, Dawley Farms – Sioux Falls: 605-275-4000 and ask for the Dakota Credit Union block.

Full Agenda

Presenters

Crashers

Exhibitors/Sponsors

2024 Annual Summit Presenters

Check out this year's speaker lineup with expertise in many different areas that credit unions need to succeed! Our topics are certain to inspire.

Brian Schools

Chair, America's Credit Unions Board • President/CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union

Brian Schools is the President & CEO of Chartway Credit Union, a $2.9 billion financial institution dedicated to unlocking the potential of individuals and families. A commitment to people-first values, financial resilience, and a vibrant culture of continual improvement has marked Schools’ more than 30 years of leadership experience. His collaborative approach inspires team members to make a meaningful difference for members and communities.
As Chair of the Board of Directors for America's Credit Unions, Brian is committed to empowering the credit union industry through focused advocacy, education, and compliance support. His previous tenure culminating as Vice Chair of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) saw him play a critical role in growing credit unions as a welcoming place for all.
Schools serves on the Chartway Promise Foundation's Board of Directors, which has granted nearly $15 million to bring joy, hope, and smiles to medically fragile children and their families. He is also a Board Manager for Chartway Ventures, LLC, which invests in innovative organizations to benefit members and the credit union industry.
Under his leadership, Chartway was recognized by Forbes as one of Virginia's Best Credit Unions for 2022 and 2023 and received the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility in 2022. In 2023, Chartway became the first Virginia-based credit union to receive the Juntos Avanazamos designation for empowering Hispanic and immigrant communities. Chartway also consistently ranks among the "Best Places to Work." Before joining Chartway, Brian held senior roles in several prominent financial institutions. He holds a BS in Finance from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Diane Allen

International Speaker and Violinist • Beyond Engagement

International Speaker and Violinist, Diane Allen, is a TEDx Speaker and Thought Leader, who speaks on increasing the meaning, joy and fulfillment in work and life by accessing the flow state.
Years before neuroscientists discovered the positive impact flow has on achieving peak performance, Diane had already experienced the power of flow in her own career as a violinist.
It was her unique approach to getting into flow, on demand, that landed her a spot on the TEDxNaperville stage as well as features on TED, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Associated Press, The Boston Herald, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global.
Diane’s philosophy is that everyone can achieve their highest potential by getting into their flow state. She believes that not only does being in flow bring out the best in each of us, but that it’s key to living a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Steve Rick

Chief Economist • TruStage

Let’s just say when Steve Rick speaks, credit unions listen! As the chief economist for TruStage in Madison, Wisconsin, his primary responsibilities include conducting strategic research, analysis, and forecasting of the financial services industry with special emphasis on the consumer and credit union markets. Steve has been a featured speaker at many DakCU events, as his expertise is always in high demand by our credit union CEOs, CFOs, and Operations Managers. His forecasts serve as a starting point for the strategic planning process and help to create a clear understanding of the underlying trends and links between the general economy, the financial services industry, and TruStage’s policy owners.

Juan Bendana

Keynote Speaker and Leadership Strategist • Juanbendana.com

Juan Bendaña is a renowned speaker, trainer and entrepreneur. Every year, he delivers electrifying keynotes at conferences and trainings internationally. He speaks to over 100,000 people annually, helping them discover the strategies for lasting engagement and inspiration. He empowers high performing leaders to build confidence for the future ofwork.
Bendaña is the creator of the Confidence Cycle — a science-backed framework to build enduring self confidence and engagement. He has built leadership programs for organizations such as Disney, Sotheby’s International, Sony Pictures, and the Siegried Group. He has coached entrepreneurs, actors, and Olympians on building confidence.
Bendaña uses the art of storytelling, interactive activities, and humour to create an unforgettable experience. Going beyond the standard keynote presentation, he creates a customized experience that will have your audience leaving energized and inspired.
With over 10 years of experience on countless stages, Bendaña has honed his skills and knows exactly what is needed for each event. His dynamic presentation style is tailored to the needs of your audience, whether it is a keynote in an arena for 10,000+ or a deep-dive training for an executive leadership team of 20.

Larry Pruss

SVP • SRM, Strategic Resource Management

Larry Pruss is the Managing Director of Digital Assets and Emerging Technologies Advisory Services at SRM (Strategic Resource Management), an independent, full-service advisory firm specializing in identifying cost savings and new revenue potential in contractual relationships.
A recognized thought leader, frequent industry media contributor, and expert in the finance and fintech industries, Pruss’ role at SRM is as a thought leader and strategist on faster payments, digital assets, tokenization, digital ledgers, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Mr. Pruss also hosts SRM’s popular Tech Talk series where he leads industry discussions at the intersection of traditional financial services and emerging technology.
Mr. Pruss’ background includes work with National Bank of Canada, where he served as Head of Cards, Payments, and Transactional Solutions. He previously served as Senior Managing Director of Credit Cards and Loan Revenue for Profit Insight, and as Senior Vice President of Portfolio Analytics for Bank of America. Pruss offers significant expertise in emerging technologies, analytics, consulting, payments, loyalty marketing, and portfolio acquisition.
With a proven record of developing new products, increasing revenues, and improving operating efficiency, Pruss has helped numerous companies boost profitability by driving growth and negotiations.
Pruss holds degrees from Penn State University in Economics and Policy Analysis. He divides his time between Montreal and Pennsylvania, where he resides with his wife and children.

Kayley Grant

Regulatory Compliance Officer, ViClarity

Kayley Grant is a Regulatory Compliance Officer at ViClarity and has nearly a decade of experience in the world of compliance. Kayley currently assists with consulting on compliance inquiries, providing credit unions state and regulatory guidance and training. She also advocates for credit unions on compliance matters and assists in expressing the credit union perspective to regulators.
Kayley received her bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College and her law degree from Drake University Law School.

Chris Hoyme

Principal, Jackson Lewis P.C.

Chris represents management nationwide in all facets of employment litigation. He has successfully defended employers across the country in over 40 federal and state courts, as well as before numerous federal and state administrative agencies across the country.

Chris looks for practical solutions for clients facing litigation. He believes in a proactive, preventive approach to dealing with employment issues so that clients are placed in the best possible position to avoid lawsuits before they are filed. However, once a client is faced with defending a lawsuit, Chris's approach is to respond quickly and aggressively, making him a formidable opponent in the courtroom.

Catie McDonald
Senior Advisor, FarWell

Catie McDonald is a trusted strategic partner and leader passionate about the credit union movement. Known for her ability to ask thought-provoking questions and listen intently, Catie leverages her communication skills to drive successful outcomes in her work.
Throughout her career, Catie has collaborated closely with CEOs, executive leadership teams, and various Boards, bringing clarity to strategic vision and aligning stakeholders to produce remarkable results. Known for her facilitation skills, Catie consistently receives feedback for her ability to make strategy sessions engaging and enjoyable. Participants are often surprised by how much fun they have while discussing critical matters, a testament to Catie’s talent for creating a collaborative and energizing environment.
This passion is reflected professionally in her leadership on the Financial Well-being for All program while at CUNA – helping Boards and credit unions understand how to serve their members better and incorporate financial well-being and diversity, equity, and inclusion into their strategic plans.
As a strategic partner and leader, Catie McDonald combines her expertise in the financial services and credit union industry, exceptional communication skills, and a genuine passion for making a difference. By working with Catie, you can unlock the full potential of your credit union or organization and create a lasting impact in the communities you serve.

Harrison Hochman
CEO and Co-Founder, Sparrow

Harrison Hochman is a dynamic and accomplished young entrepreneur, known for his exceptional leadership skills and vision for the future. As the co-founder and CEO of Sparrow, he helped establish the company in his parents’ backyard at just 20 years old, bringing a fresh perspective to the student lending landscape.
With a passion for making education accessible and affordable to all, Harrison’s leadership and innovative approach have helped Sparrow emerge as a leading student lending infrastructure platform. Recognized as one of eleven young global leaders in STEM, Environmental, and Societal Sustainability by the esteemed Straubel Foundation, he has national gained acclaim for his groundbreaking work in the field.
As a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister in the Education category, Harrison’s dedication to simplicity, choice, and transparency is at the heart of Sparrow’s customer-centric approach. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Stanford University, he has leveraged his educational background to fuel his entrepreneurial vision and lead by example.
Harrison’s impact extends beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits. As a mentor and role model, he inspires and guides aspiring young entrepreneurs, sharing his expertise and experiences. With a focus on innovation and growth, Harrison is transforming the student lending landscape, empowering borrowers of all types to achieve their dreams while shaping a better future for education and sustainability.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Credit Union Member & Guest Registration

Early Bird Pricing: $409 • Deadline: April 12
Regular Pricing: $479 • Deadline: May 3

Exhibitor/Sponsor Info & Registration

Thanks to Our 2024 Sponsors