Two Dakota CU Professionals Earn CUDE Designation

​Two Dakota leaders returned from CUDE energized and ready to elevate the credit union difference.

By Annie Elhard, Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) Communications & Content Specialist

Two Dakota credit union leaders are bringing fresh energy and perspective back home after completing the prestigious Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) program through the National Credit Union Foundation.
 
Annie Elhard, DakCU communications & content specialist and Katie Bredvik, Coteau Valley Federal Credit Union (CVFCU) president/CEO, were among 47 leaders from across the country selected for the first CUDE class of 2026. The immersive, week-long experience was held at Suncoast Credit Union in Tampa, Florida.
 
The CUDE program is widely recognized as transformational. Through experiential learning, collaborative group work, and deep discussion around cooperative principles, participants explore what truly sets credit unions apart. The week challenges attendees to think beyond products and services and instead focus on purpose, community impact, and financial well-being for all.
 
A powerful highlight of the week included volunteering at Feeding Tampa Bay, where participants saw firsthand the intersection of financial stress and food insecurity. The experience underscored the critical role credit unions can play when partnering intentionally within their communities.

“Coming from a small credit union background, we’re deeply connected to our members and involved in their daily financial lives. Attending CUDE broadened my perspective and challenged me to think differently about how we serve. I’m excited to bring what I learned back to CVFCU and intentionally weave those principles into the everyday experiences of our members,” said Katie.

“The experience didn’t just deepen my understanding of how credit unions operate, it helped me truly connect with the heart of the movement. Learning the history, the cooperative principles, and seeing ‘people helping people’ in action shifted my perspective in a powerful way. I came home with a renewed sense of purpose and a fire to continue doing meaningful work for others through the credit union movement,” said Annie.

Katie Bredvik and Annie Elhard

Chris Morris, DE program director, Katie Bredvik, and Annie Elhard

CUDE graduates join a global network of more than 3,300 advocates spanning 35 countries since the program began in 1982. The designation represents more than professional development — it reflects a commitment to strengthening the cooperative system and advancing financial well-being in the communities credit unions serve.
 
Both Annie and Katie return to the Dakotas energized, equipped with new tools, and inspired to further live out the credit union difference. Their participation reflects the continued investment Dakota credit unions are making in leadership, service, and the philosophy of people helping people.
 
Interested in attending DE?
Limited seats are still available in the 2026 Virtual DE program. Click here to register, or to learn more information on the DE program. To be added to the notification list to receive DE updates directly to your inbox, please contact [email protected].

​The Dakota Credit Union Foundation also has grants available to support professional development opportunities like DE. Credit union staff interested in enhancing their skills and deepening their impact are encouraged to explore the Foundation’s grant options as a way to help make participation even more accessible.
 
About the National Credit Union Foundation 
The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) is the charitable arm of the U.S. credit union movement and works as a catalyst to improve people’s financial lives through credit unions. Through grants and programs, the Foundation is strengthening financial well-being, igniting passion and instilling knowledge about the credit union difference, and uniting resources to help credit union people during disaster. Donations to the Foundation ultimately enable credit unions to help their members reach life-changing goals and achieve financial freedom.
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