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August 25-27, 2025

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Engage. Learn. Collaborate. 

A credit union conference where credit unions present real solutions. Unlock the keys to navigating the ever-evolving landscape of credit unions at CU NextGen Engage, packed with collaboration, insights from industry experts, and innovative solutions tailored for credit union executives, managers, and professionals. Don't miss out on shaping the future of credit unions while enjoying inclusive meals and evening activities. 

Event Tickets

CREDIT UNION REGISTRANTS
$0

$0 is not a typo - registration is free for all credit unions

  • Hear from credit union leaders sharing use cases and success stories
  • Gain insights on leveraging Business Process Outsourcing, automation, strategic collaboration
  • Discover solutions that streamline vendor services and software
  • Learn about branch/call center of the future technology, upcoming CU NextGen Solutions
  • Get to know the CU NextGen team in a personal setting
  • Network and collaborate with like-minded credit union thought-leaders
  • Enjoy all-inclusive, evening networking at some of Cincinnati’s must-see locations
  • Learn about Nextly Digital Banking and about our first Go-Live from Space Coast Credit Union
Register Now!

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Sponsors

Agenda

The CU NextGen Engage Event is a unique platform designed to foster collaboration, share insights, and pave the way for the future of credit unions. Over the course of three days, participants will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts, learn from seasoned credit union leaders, and gain valuable insights into leading innovation with CU NextGen solutions.
 

Who should attend:

This workshop is ideal for credit union executives, managers, and professionals who are passionate about driving innovation and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and shape the future of credit unions. Join us at the CU NextGen Engage Workshop and take your credit union to new heights!

Breakfast, lunch, and evening activities are included in registration.  
 
Explore our agenda and details for travel in the following tabs.
 
Day 1 - Engage
Day 2 - Learn
Day 3 - Collaborate

Day 1:

  • 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Welcome Reception & Happy Hour 
    Kick off Engage 2025 with light appetizers, drinks, and networking with CU NextGen partners and peers.  

 

Day 2:

What to Expect:

  • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    Breakfast & Registration 
  • 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
    Welcome Remarks 
    CU NextGen Leadership Team 

Morning Sessions 

  • 9:45 AM – 11 AM
    Measure, Compare, Innovate: Taking Charge of Your Digital Presence Across Your Credit Union 
    Chad Jaenke, Chief Information Officer Space Coast Credit Union with Fintech Insights 
  • 11 AM – 11:15 AM
    Morning Break 
  • 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
    Enhancing Member Onboarding Across Digital, Branch, and Contact Center Channels 
    Angie Garman, Chief Strategy Officer, First Florida Credit Union with Alloy 
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    Lunch 
  • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Navigating the Shift: How Credit Unions and Fintechs Can Work Together to Power the Open-Banking Transition
    Ben Maxim, CIO MSUFCU and Sean Van Handel, CIO, Covantage Credit Union 

Afternoon Sessions 

  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Driving True Growth and Profitability: A C-Suite Perspective 
    Jamie Harrison, Chief Growth Officer and Jess Howard, Chief Financial Officer Meritrust Credit Union 
  • 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
    Afternoon Break 
  • 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
    Vinod Tharakan, Main Session 
  • 5:45 PM-6:00 PM Meet in the lobby to leave for Museum
  • 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    Private Evening Event at Cincinnati Museum of Natural History 
    Join us for an exclusive night of exploration, food, and entertainment at one of Cincinnati’s premier venues. 

Day 3:

What to Expect:

  • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    Breakfast & Networking 
  • 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
    Data-Driven Growth and Incorporating User Feedback into Design Thinking
    Emily, Director of Digital Marketing and Analytics, Meritrust Credit Union 
  • 9:45 AM-10:15 AM
    Maximizing Your Solutions: Strategies for Changing Software to Meet Member Needs—Without the Pain of Changing Vendors
    Dawn Fread, SVP, Strategy & Innovation, Altra Credit Union 
  • 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
    Break 

 

  • 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM
    How to Build a Robust Referral and Incentive Tracking Tool That Optimizes Member Growth and Engagement
    Paul Farmer, Director of Continuous Improvement, Veridian Credit Union 
  • 11:00 AM -11:30 PM
    Embracing the Journey: Shifting Strategic Mindset for Achieving Growth and Success
    Allison McCarty, Director of Project Management and Automated Solutions, ELGA Credit Union 
  • 11:30 AM -11:45 AM
    MDC 
  • 11:45 AM –12:00 PM
    Wrap Up and Lunch 


 

 

Hotel: Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza-35 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, USA
Company Name: CU NextGen
Booking Link: CU NextGen Group Rate

Fly into Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

Rideshare/rental car to drive to hotel in downtown Cincinnati, 13.4 miles from CVG. 

Speakers

Hear from Credit Union Leaders as they share real-life success stories, use cases and insights.

panel

Credit Union Speakers

Hear from your peers as they share experiences from their credit unions!

Ben Maxim-Chief Technology Officer-Michigan State University Federal Credit Union

Sean Van Handel-Chief Information Officer- CoVantage Credit Union

Jamie Harrison-Chief Growth Officer- Meritrust Credit Union

Jess Howard-Chief Financial Officer-Meritrust Credit Union

Chad Jaenke-SVP/CIO- Space Coast Credit Union

Dawn Fread-SVP, Corporate Strategy & Innovation- Altra Federal Credit Union

Angie Garman-Chief Strategy Officer- First Florida Credit Union

Paul Farmer- Director of Continuous Improvement- Veridian Credit Union

Allison McCarty- Director, Project Management and Automated Solutions-ELGA Credit Union

Full list of speakers will be released soon!

Hayley

Hayley Harrison

Senior Vice President of Operations

Hayley drives the world of banking forward as an innovative and member-focused leader. She has led the way with numerous automation and innovation efforts throughout financial institutions across the nation. As Vice President of Business Operations, Hayley enforces consistency and security to ensure a strategy that gives our clients confidence and control of the member experience.
Kent-Zimmer

Kent Zimmer

Chief Executive Officer

Kent brings a determination to executing our team’s vision of delivering digital transformation and automation solutions for an intuitive member experience. His dedication to secure a safeguarded future for credit unions through practical application of leading-edge technologies, solutions, and next generation innovation is the driving force behind CU NextGen.

Vinod-Tharakan

Vinod Tharakan

Chief Technology Officer

Vinod leads technology innovation for credit unions as Managing Director of Claysys Technologies and Chairman/CTO of CU NextGen. With a passion for cutting-edge solutions, he develops technology solutions and AI systems, creating next-gen experiences for credit unions and their members.


Join industry leaders as they discuss how credit unions leverage CU NextGen’s solutions to innovate and enhance member services. Featuring success stories in strategic collaborations, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and automation, these speakers will highlight how these partnerships streamline operations and refocus efforts on delivering exceptional member experiences.

Nova

What Credit Unions Have to Say
Feedback from our 2024 Workshop

"Engage was very enjoyable, informative, and thought provoking and I hope that this will become a consistent event. I also want to shout out to whoever put everything together. Every detail was thought of, very impressive! The evening events were equally incredible!"

 

"Great Job! The evening events were a lot of fun and a great way to network and collaborate with other attendees."
"Thank you for all of the learning and the fun, it was a very enjoyable and informative event!"