Welcome to Visionary 2025, the premier event shaping the future of credit unions. As we gear up for an unparalleled gathering, you can expect a conference program designed to redefine industry standards. The Visionary Conference 2025 agenda is your roadmap to unleash the potential of your credit union.
We will be updating the agenda often, so check back for breakout session details.
| Time | Description | Presenter | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00am - 5:00pm | Attendee Fun Day | ||
| 9:00am - 4:00pm | Registration | Gatlin Foyer | |
| 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Welcome Reception Sponsored by SavvyMoney | Gatlin D |
| Time | Description | Presenter | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45am - 8:45am | Breakfast | Conway | |
| 7:45am - 5:00pm | Registration | Gatlin Foyer | |
| 9:00am - 9:15am | General Session: CEO Welcome & RemarksBob West is a results-driven executive with extensive experience in financial services and credit union leadership. Over his career, Bob has collaborated closely with boards, CEOs, and executive teams, driving growth, managing change, and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. His deep expertise spans operations, technology, and risk mitigation, with a focus on infusing innovation and efficiency into credit union processes | Bob West, CEO CU*SOUTH | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 9:15am - 10:30am | Keynote Speaker: Stacie VanDenBerghe Stacie VanDenBerghe has been working in the credit union industry for over 20 years. She has worked with Boards, CEOs, Executive Management and front line team members of credit unions in both large and small credit unions. Before starting her own consulting company, CU Innovate in 2016, Stacie spent five years at the Michigan Credit Union League as the Director of Consulting Services. | Stacie VanDenBerghe, CEO, CU Innovate | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 10:30am - 11:00am | Networking Break in Exhibit Hall | Gatlin D | |
| 11:15am - 12:00pm | General Session: Women in Fintech: Leading Change, Shaping the Future Join a powerhouse panel of credit union CEOs as they share their journeys, challenges, and insights on leadership in the ever-evolving world of fintech. Moderated by Stacie VanDenBerghe, this conversation will explore the role of innovation, the future of financial technology, and how credit unions can leverage fintech to better serve their members. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an emerging professional, you’ll walk away with fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways on driving success in today’s digital landscape. | Angie Vajdak: CEO, FAA FCU; Cindy Lindsey: CEO, RVA Financial; Keisha Richards: CEO, St. Thomas FCU; Cami Wheeler: CEO, Wymar FCU | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Lunch | Conway | |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 1 - Comply-YES! Credit Risk: Managing the Risks in Lending In an era of rising delinquencies and record-high charge-offs, managing credit risk has never been more critical for credit unions. Join us for an insightful session that delves into the latest trends, challenges, and strategies for mitigating risks in lending. The session will explore the NCUA’s 2025 supervisory priorities, including third-party risk management and borrower support strategies. Whether you’re looking to enhance your risk management framework or prepare for upcoming examinations, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate today’s complex lending landscape. | Anthony Perry, Compliance Consultant, Comply-YES! | St. Johns 26 |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 2 - When the Unexpected Strikes: Building a Disaster-Proof Credit Union From hurricanes and wildfires to zero-day vulnerabilities and ransomware, disruptions can come from anywhere—and your credit union needs to be ready and prepared. Join subject matter experts from CU*SOUTH and CU*Answers as they break down the essentials of a rock-solid business continuity plan. Learn practical steps to safeguard operations, keep members connected and ensure your credit union weathers any storm. | Derrick Smith, COO, CU*SOUTH; Jim Lawrence, VP of Business Continuity and Operations at CU*Answers | St. Johns 27 |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 3 - CBX: A Guided Tour of the Future of CU*BASE CBX is changing the game for CU*BASE, bringing a fresh, browser-based experience designed for flexibility and efficiency. Join CU*SOUTH’s Starla Honea for a hands-on walkthrough of CBX, where you'll see how this new platform streamlines workflows, enhances usability and brings your credit union operations into the future. | Starla Honea, Business Development Analyst, CU*SOUTH | St. Johns 28 |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 4 - LoanStreet: Managing Your Book with LoanStreet's Participations and Portfolio Analytics LoanStreet is modernizing the lending industry. A strategic partner to over 1,300 financial institutions, LoanStreet is the first fully-integrated, online platform that provides efficient, transparent and robust tools for lenders of all sizes to manage and scale the loans on their balance sheets, connect with partners and effectively analyze risk. | Daniel Yoder, Product Manager, LoanStreet | Gatlin E4 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 5 - MBFS: Business Lending Industry Updates Headquartered in Trevose, PA, MBFS is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) owned by credit unions, for credit unions, providing commercial lending services throughout the United States. MBFS assists credit unions either within their markets, or if they have a geo region risk mitigation plan in place, nationwide. The CUSO works with credit unions to enable them to meet the strategic lending goals for their organization at a cost lower than they could individually, we capitalize on the cooperative nature of the credit union movement. | Mark Ritter, CEO, MBFS | St. Johns 26 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 6 - Turning Delinquencies Around: Smarter Strategies for Collections Success Rising delinquencies? Limited staff? Struggling to collect without losing members? You're not alone. Effective collections require more than just reminders and repossessions—it’s about balancing financial recovery with member relationships. Join CU*SOUTH’s Collections team as they share real strategies for reducing charge-offs, improving engagement, and making collections a win-win for both your credit union and your members. | Jeana Harper, CBO Manager, CU*SOUTH | St. Johns 27 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 7 - CBX Demo Lab CBX is the future of CU*BASE, and now’s your chance to get one-on-one training tailored to your credit union’s needs. Join CU*SOUTH’s Starla Honea for a personalized, hands-on demo where you’ll explore CBX’s browser-based interface, learn key workflows, and get answers to your questions in real time. Whether you’re looking to refine your processes or get a first look at the platform, this interactive lab ensures you walk away ready to maximize CBX’s potential. Reserve your spot and experience CBX firsthand! | Starla Honea, Business Development Analyst, CU*SOUTH | Gatlin E4 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 8 - Opsahl Dawson Opsahl Dawson LLP is a modern accounting firm delivering expert financial services, including tax planning, auditing, bookkeeping, and business consulting. By combining traditional expertise with cutting-edge technology, they offer efficient, accurate, and innovative solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. Dedicated to building strong client relationships, Opsahl Dawson provides proactive guidance and exceptional service, making them a trusted partner in achieving financial goals. | Roger Jones, Partner, Opsahl Dawson | St. Johns 28 |
| 3:15pm - 4:00pm | Networking Break in Exhibit Hall | Gatlin D | |
| 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Dinner & Casino Night Sponsored by TransFund After a full day of learning and networking, it’s time to go all in on a night of great food and fun. Join us for Dinner & Casino Night, where you can test your luck at classic casino games while enjoying an incredible menu and great company. The money isn’t real, but the bragging rights are. So whether you’re a poker pro, a blackjack beginner, or just here for the laughs, this is your chance to let loose and unwind. Come hungry, bring your game face and get ready for an unforgettable evening! | Conway |
| Time | Description | Presenter | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45am - 8:45am | Breakfast | Conway | |
| 7:45am - 3:00pm | Registration | Gatlin Foyer | |
| 9:00am - 10:15am | General Session Keynote: The Future Is Now: How to Leverage AI to Reshape Your Credit Union and Tech Innovations As one of the nation’s most respected authorities on cybersecurity, Theresa Payton is also a highly sought-after AI keynote speaker. Theresa is a visionary in the digital world leading the way as an inventor of new security designs and has an approved US patent in security. She captivates audiences by drawing from her experience as a veteran cybercrime fighter and entrepreneur, masterfully blending memorable anecdotes with cutting-edge insights. | Theresa Payton, CEO, Fortalice | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 10:15am - 11:00am | Networking Break in Exhibit Hall | Gatlin D | |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm | CU*Answers Technology Update As CEO of CU*Answers, Geoff Johnson brings a wealth of practical lending experience and industry knowledge to the table with 16 years in credit union leadership roles that oversaw the strategic direction of lending and sales in the following areas: commercial, consumer, credit card, indirect, participation, real estate, and all aspects of collections. Geoff Johnson was appointed the Chief Operations Officer of CU*Answers in 2014, promoted to President/COO in 2018, and selected by the CU*Answers Board of Directors to serve as the CUSO’s Chief Executive Officer in 2021. | Geoff Johnson, CEO, CU*Answers | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Lunch | Conway | |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 1 - BSA Training Fulfill your yearly Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) training requirements with our focused session at Visionary. This workshop provides a thorough overview of the BSA Program, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) principles, Currency Transaction Reports & Suspicious Activity Reports (CTRs & SARs), and the latest in regulatory developments. Learn about OFAC compliance and the critical importance of avoiding noncompliance penalties through our expert-led discussions. Attendees will receive certificates of completion, showcasing your updated BSA compliance knowledge to auditors and examiners. | Michele Gonzales, Manager of CUinBalance, CU*SOUTH | St. Johns 26 |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 2 - Increase ROI with Residual Based Financing Are higher auto prices and rates affecting your members’ payments and your credit union’s auto loan volumes? In this session, we’ll discuss challenges in today’s auto financing market and how lower auto payment, higher-yielding Residual Based Financing programs can address those challenges. We’ll also provide a detailed ROI analysis, from a total auto loan portfolio and per unit basis, showing the additional income these programs can provide compared to conventional auto financing. C-Suite and executive-level leaders will find this session especially valuable, as it provides a strategic financial perspective on portfolio performance. | Andre Bahri, CFO, Auto Financial Group; Jill Malczewski, Regional Sales Manager, Auto Financial Group | St. Johns 27 |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 3 - Corporate One: Immediate Payments: Elevating Your Financial Institution with Send Expand beyond receive-only capabilities on the RTP® network and FedNow® Service to unlock the full potential of immediate payments with Send. This session will guide you through the transformation from Receive-only to Send, demonstrating how adopting this profile can enhance your financial institution’s competitiveness, streamline operations, and boost member satisfaction. Our experts will cover the key benefits, trending use cases, strategic implementation insights, and actionable steps to seamlessly integrate this advanced payment option into your financial institution’s operations. Additionally, we will also look ahead to Request for Payment and what this capability might mean for the industry. Join us and learn how to take your payment services to the next level. | Merrijo Hale, AVP, Member Growth Executive, Corporate One | St. Johns 28 |
| 1:15pm - 2:00pm | Breakout 4 - CBX Demo Lab CBX is the future of CU*BASE, and now’s your chance to get one-on-one training tailored to your credit union’s needs. Join CU*SOUTH’s Starla Honea for a personalized, hands-on demo where you’ll explore CBX’s browser-based interface, learn key workflows, and get answers to your questions in real time. Whether you’re looking to refine your processes or get a first look at the platform, this interactive lab ensures you walk away ready to maximize CBX’s potential. Reserve your spot and experience CBX firsthand! | Starla Honea, Business Development Analyst, CU*SOUTH | Gatlin E4 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 5 - Credit Unions First: Balancing Member Fairness, Executive Loyalty & Compliance: Navigating Premium Deficiency Risks in Credit Unions Credit Unions First drives revenue through innovation and efficiency. Using tailored solutions and a cloud-based dashboard, credit unions gain direct management access to their insurance products and keep a significant portion of the shared dollars and commissions that otherwise would go to the insurance broker. | Dan Daggett, Chief Strategy Officer, Credit Unions First | St. Johns 26 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 6 - Dolphin Debit Dolphin Debit Access—a privately-held company—began with a simple idea: provide a single-source solution to help credit unions and community banks lower the overall costs associated with in-house ATM management. With more than 45 years of combined ATM/EFT experience, our founders set out to change the way ATM networks impact profitability by changing the service model entirely. | Joe Woods, SVP Marketing & Partnerships; Garrett White, Regional Sales Manager, Dolphin Debit | St. Johns 27 |
| 2:15pm - 3:00pm | Breakout 7 - Accounting & CFO Services The financial management landscape of a credit union is loaded with complexities that require meticulous attention and expertise. The exhaustive nature of managing day-to-day financial operations can distract you from focusing on member services, which are the heart of your credit union’s mission. At CU*SOUTH, we understand the challenges posed by outdated accounting processes, manual tasks and limited staff resources. Our commitment is to offer specialized accounting solutions designed to streamline your operations, enabling you to achieve—and even surpass—your strategic objectives. | Michele Gonzales, Manager of CUinBalance, CU*SOUTH; Shari Weber, Director of CUinBalance/CFO Consultant, CU*SOUTH Jason Dean, CFO Consultant, CU*SOUTH | St. Johns 28 |
| 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Closing Remarks & 2026 Save the Date Derrick Smith serves as Chief Operating Officer at CU*SOUTH, where he drives the organization’s operational strategy and ensures day-to-day processes run smoothly. He oversees cross-departmental collaboration, aligning teams with the company’s strategic vision to nurture sustainable growth. Under his leadership, CU*SOUTH delivers streamlined solutions that empower credit unions to streamline operations and boost member engagement. | Derrick Smith, COO, CU*SOUTH | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 3:45pm - 5:00pm | CU*SOUTH Annual Shareholder Meeting | Shareholders | Gatlin E1-3 |
| 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Shareholder's Dinner | Cala Bella Restaurant |