Faculty

Kim Andres is a trusted advisor to Canadian credit unions and has expert-level knowledge in corporate governance, strategic planning and management, mergers and acquisitions, enterprise risk management and operational effectiveness.

Kim is the managing partner of Andres Consulting Inc., a boutique agency that is dedicated to working with Canadian credit unions to find solutions for success and driving value for each credit union and its members. Kim is also a partner with US-based Bank Solutions Group and provides leadership to the group’s international credit union operations.

Her 30+ year credit union history includes experience as the chief executive of a multi-branch credit union, senior vice-president of a regional central credit union, and the executive leader of both a national and an international consulting practice. With her knowledge, Kim has developed and implemented practical and cost-effective solutions for her client credit unions. In 2003, Kim began facilitating programs for knowledge network, and has authored and served as subject-matter expert for several advanced-level Credit Union Director Achievement (CUDA) Program courses.

Kim’s hands-on experience is complemented by strong academic accomplishments. She holds a Masters of Business (MBA) degree from Queen’s University and attended the Advanced Leadership Institute at Harvard University. Kim is a Fellow with the Credit Union Institute of Canada (FCUIC), a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), and a Certified Corporate Director (ICD.D), and a Certified Enterprise Risk Management Expert (CUERME).

Dale is a respected credit union consultant and accredited facilitator with over 30 years of experience in all levels of retail banking, including branch management, multi-branch regional management, and head office senior management for a major B.C. credit union, where he managed all aspects of the retail credit portfolio. He has facilitated for Cusource Education since its inception, and he currently facilitates retail credit courses through eLearning virtual classroom presentations across Canada.

An advocate for professional development, Dale constantly attends courses to polish and upgrade his certifications. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Canterbury University and is an Associate in the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has a Life License Qualification through Advocis and a Provincial Instructors Diploma with a Post Secondary Endorsement from Vancouver Community College’s School of Instructor Education. His most recent accomplishment is a Certificate in Cooperative Development through the CoopZone Developers’ Network Cooperative.

Dale is a passionate community leader who believes in making a difference. He has travelled twice to Mongolia as part of the Canadian Co-operative Association’s (CCA) management coaching program and he recently visited Colombia to meet with credit union leaders and discuss the challenges facing the credit union sector locally and abroad. He continues to donate a portion of his net earnings to the CCA, in support of its overseas development work in the co-operative sector.

Fay Booker is a trusted advisor to credit unions and has expert-level knowledge in corporate governance and enterprise risk management (ERM). Her focus is assisting credit unions by finding solutions for success and advancing their organizational practices to benefit stakeholders. Currently, Fay is the managing partner of Booker & Associates. In 2005, she began teaching in the governance curriculum at Knowledge Network and has authored advanced CUDA courses.

With her extensive knowledge, Fay has developed and implemented practical approaches to governance and risk management for credit unions across Canada, ranging in size from $25 million to multi-billions. She has helped to advance board governance practices, conducted governance reviews, and acted as a governance coach. In the ERM area, she works with credit unions to implement their customized approach to ERM. Additionally, Fay has developed frameworks, facilitated risk awareness sessions, and built risk dashboards. She also has experience in facilitating strategic planning sessions and in developing organizational effectiveness.

Her foundation as a trusted advisor comes from 30 years of experience in accounting, consulting, and financial services. Her previous positions include: Partner at Deloitte & Touche; National Partner and Strategic Business Line Leader at Grant Thornton; Vice President and Chief Internal Auditor at National Trust; and Director, Internal Audit and Director, Commercial Lending at CIBC. In 2004, she opened her specialized consulting firm, Booker and Associates.

Fay holds three professional designations: Chartered Accountant (CA); Chartered Director (C.Dir); and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

David Brown is Canada’s leading thinker, speaker, writer and practitioner in corporate governance. Having served both as a CEO and a Board member, David is well-positioned to help you deal with issues in the boardroom. David is probably best known for articulating and championing principle-based governance, built on economic agency theory and deriving 18 core competencies of board members. Principle-based governance underpins all of his work, and is foundational to organizations selecting the right governance model and board practices.

Prior to joining Governance Solutions Inc. in 1995 David had a distinguished 20 year career in Canada’s financial services industry. He served a term in Inspection Division (Internal Audit) at the head office of one of the country’s largest chartered banks. David then became an insolvency specialist with the bank’s commercial credit group where he developed an expertise in workouts and turnarounds, diagnostics and remedies for corporate crises. Leaving the private sector in the 1987-91 period, David worked for a deposit insurance corporation on a small team tasked with resolving an accumulated deficit and ongoing losses of many deposit-taking institutions. He returned to the private sector as Chief Executive Officer of one of Ontario’s largest community credit unions, where he brought several credit unions together through mergers, and gained extensive experience managing and optimizing interest rate, matching, market and liquidity risks.

David augmented his undergraduate business degree from Queen’s in accounting and finance with post-graduate courses at the University of Alberta’s law school. David is the author of the definitive Canadian chapter in the international handbook Corporate Governance Around the World (2008: Routledge). He is on the faculty of governance education and certification programs for the Universities of Saskatchewan, Regina, Toronto, McMaster and UBC where he teaches governance, corporate social responsibility, finance and risk oversight. David was invited to serve on his first board in Montreal at age 17, and his second board in Toronto at age 22.

David is Senior Manager Lending Services at Atlantic Central. The Lending Services Team is tasked with adjudication of Commercial and Retail Credit for Atlantic Credit Unions, and provides advice and mentorship to lenders in the system. Joining the Atlantic Credit Union system in 2004, David has worked with the New Brunswick Regulatory body (RMA) , CUCNB and currently with Atlantic Central.

David has a diverse financial background with 15 years’ experience with a major chartered bank, in operations and retail /commercial/agriculture account management. He was instrumental in the development of standardized lending policy in New Brunswick and standardized lending documentation in the Atlantic region.

David attained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick and resides in Riverview New Brunswick with his wife Sandra.

Rob is a Human Resource practitioner and facilitator with over 30 years experience in industry and private practice, with a focus on broadening and deepening the management and leadership capability of organizations, developing high-performance cultures and enhancing individual employee effectiveness. His delivery style is one that displays knowledge, passion and enthusiasm about the subject matter, and challenges individuals in a way that encourages a high level of participation and comfort with the learning process. He has a very practical approach to learning that quickly gets the participants to see the application of new knowledge and skills to their job situation.

Rob’s background includes several years with Royal Bank Financial Group in a variety of leadership roles nationally and led a team of professional trainers in implementing a multimillion-dollar leadership change initiative, attesting to his experience and ability in enhancing performance effectiveness.

His work with credit unions began in 2000, through his own company, Performance Pathways Inc, in the Saskatchewan and Alberta markets, and quickly expanded to credit unions, Centrals and affiliated associations across the country. Contracting with Cusource Education in 2004, one of Rob’s accomplishments has been to construct and deliver a high-caliber, instructor-led Management Development Curriculum to the system across the country. He has been the Canadian lead facilitator over the last thirteen years for SaskCentral in implementing their Sales and Service Initiative to more than 35 credit unions, ranging in size from $16 million to $4 billion in asset size.

In his work Rob has been independently certified in over twenty industry-recognized programs, and over the years he has designed, developed or facilitated several hundred programs, initiatives and conferences to more than 33,000 people nationally and internationally.

I am presently Chair of the Quinte First Credit Union Board of Directors and former Chair of  QuintEssential Credit Union. I am also currently a director for the Ethics Practitioners’ Association of Canada, the East Central Ontario Training Board (past Chair) and the Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health.

My past Board and committee appointments include the City of Belleville, Quinte Health Care, the Hastings & Prince Edward chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Belleville Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic and Loyalist College.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Arts degree (Applied Philosophy) from Queen’s University, a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University and a Ph.D. in Health Studies and Gerontology from the University of Waterloo.

Bill Falconer has 35+ years of financial institution experience – over 22 years with a chartered bank and more than 13 years with Valley Credit Union in Nova Scotia. Bill’s experience includes branch routine, commercial credit, consumer loans & mortgages, branch management, marketing, human resources, financial planning, mutual fund sales and branch compliance. Bill knows first-hand what’s required for part time studies while working full time and balancing family life. That’s because he has accumulated the following impressive list of designations, mostly through part time studies:

BBA from the University of New Brunswick
Fellowship of Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB)
3 ICB Specialized Studies Program Diplomas (Accounting & Finance, General Management, and Management Sciences)
Investment Funds in Canada
ICB Branch Compliance Manager (BCM)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP)
Competent Toastmaster (CTM)
Fellowship of Credit Union Institute of Canada (FCUIC)

Bill latest roles was as VP Organizational Development at Valley Credit Union, where he supervised 8 branches and a Credential Financial Strategies unit. He also had Human Resources responsibilities and was a Branch Compliance Manager.

Bill has participated in several committees at Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia, and is a member of HRANS. Over the years, Bill has been involved in church positions/functions such as treasurer, SS teacher, board member, committee member and numerous other activities.

On the personal & family side, Bill is married and has 2 grown daughters and a son-in-law, all who have completed 9 or more years at universities, mostly at Dalhousie University. Bill & his wife Carol reside in Kingston, NS.

Marilyn has previously presented webinars on Consumer Lending topics, and now joins the Cusource Education faculty.  She has enjoyed a lengthy career in finance, with over 20 years at a major bank, including branch management and commissioned mortgage sales.  It was in 2004 however, that an opportunity to join the Credit Union system gave her the opportunity to apply her skill & experience to the development of new products, policies and lender training.  Ten years as Retail Credit Manager gives Marilyn the perspective of one who has reviewed and adjudicated files for branch lenders. Two years as Market Development Manager involved a lot of travel, but allowed her to visit branches and build relationships with referral sources, such as Realtors, Mortgage Brokers and Car Dealerships.

After a brief 6 months of retirement, Marilyn wishes to resume the rewarding mission of helping to build a team of competent and confident lenders, who will offer first class advice and coaching to their members. Marilyn feels it worthwhile to take time away from her family & friends, home in Goderich, and travel with husband Marc, to spend valuable time with us.

As the President of Hawkeye Strategies Inc., Miranda hones in on three major areas that significantly contribute to the success of organizations: board governance, strategic planning and tactical planning. Her concerted focus is to help businesses align their resources effectively to achieve their vision while staying rooted in its mission and values.

Miranda has held several non-profit board appointments and has emphasized that the board’s collective role is to increase shareholder value, where value is defined in by the membership. Her vast industry experience enables her to bring best practices to the boardroom. Miranda’s affiliations are with academia, healthcare, the credit union system, and aviation to name a few. Within the credit union system, she held a Senior Manager role leading the retail sales and service teams.

Miranda completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph and graduate degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her passion for business has led her to pursue an Executive MBA program through the University of Fredericton. She holds certifications in Lean methodology and Change Management. In her spare time, Miranda facilitates a community ThinkTank to engage professionals to network and learn from other industries.

Robert was born in Souris and has been employed in the financial services industry for the past forty years plus. For the past thirty five years he has worked for the Prince Edward Island Credit Union System and is currently a Senior Consultant with the newly created Atlantic Central.

A strong proponent of continual learning, Bob holds a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and has a Certified Financial Planner Designation. In addition he is a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada, a Management Studies Program offered through the Credit Union Institute of Canada and Dalhousie University. Bob has also completed courses through St. Mary’s University on Team Building and Business Communications. As a professional Trainer, Bob holds certification in a number of training programs including the Business Development Program (BDS), Achieve Enterprises Supervision, Achieving Sales Excellence (ASE), Coaching Sales Excellence (CES) and The Credit Union Director Achievement Program (CUDA).

Bob has delivered a large number of training and development courses including an extensive training program for Directors and a one-week program on Financial Planning. Bob has also written and developed a number of training programs including a Product Education Program (PEP), Time Management, Introduction To Selling (ITS), Presenting & Presiding, Change Management, and Roles & Responsibilities of Directors.

He has extensive experience in group facilitation and strategic planning. In addition to strategic planning facilitation for a number of Credit Unions, Bob has delivered training and development programs to a wide range of non-Credit Union clients.

Frank has spent most of his life in the London Ontario area. He graduated from the University of Guelph in 1982. After working in life insurance for one year he joined Libro Credit union in 1983 and has been there until his retirement in October 2018. He has served as Vice President of Credit from 1986 to 2013 and in later years had assumed the role of Vice President of Agriculture and Commercial Services.

Frank has been a leader in the Credit Union system his whole career serving on numerous boards and committees particularly in credit, and more specifically in the agriculture, commercial and collection areas. He has taught numerous credit and business development courses in credit union system and in the community, and he continues to be actively involved in leadership roles in a number of community organizations. Frank and his wife Marianne (a retired Libro veteran) live in and are very active in Strathroy, Ontario.

Ethan currently directs the internal audit department of Atlantic Central & League Savings and Mortgage where he provides independent and objective operational, compliance, financial and investigative audits and management advisory services to assess and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.

Ethan holds a B. Comm. From the University of Alberta, and is a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of experience in both industry and public accounting.

In addition to his professional experience, Ethan mentors and provides instruction to candidates enrolled in the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accounts professional education program, and teaches accounting and audit courses to students enrolled in post secondary education.

Michelle Manary brings a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in the areas of organizational effectiveness and strategic human resource management. As the owner of the Manary Group and a partner in ReframeHR, Michelle works with organizations in the areas of strategic planning and board governance, leadership development, organizational design, financial and risk management, systems analysis, stakeholder communications and human resource management. Prior to becoming an independent consultant in 2007, Michelle was a member of the executive management team at Assiniboine Credit Union, responsible for developing HR systems to align with corporate strategies. She also spent a number of years in management at a major national bank.

A life long learner, Michelle has earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Brandon University, Business Administration Diploma from Assiniboine Community College, Certificate in Human Resource Management and Certificate in Organizational Development from Queens University, and Certificate in Participative Management from the University of Manitoba. She is also a Certified Master Coach from the Behavioural Coaching Institute.

Since 2007, Michelle has developed and facilitated courses across Canada, on behalf of knowledge network.

Sandra is a sought-after speaker and facilitator on the topic of leadership. She takes complex topics―such as leadership, coaching, neuroleadership and mindfulness―and explains them in a relatable way that supports leaders to lead with the brain in mind. Attendees of her sessions gain an increased understanding of how to harness the brain for improved productivity, communication, and overall well-being.

With a Masters in Leadership, a Certified Executive Coach (PCC) designation, and a Certificate in Neuroleadership, Sandra has been a driving force for increased leadership and coaching capacity within her executive role with First Credit Union, and within the national and international credit union system. She has served in the roles of COO and acting CEO at First CU¸ and earlier in her career was a recipient of both a CCUA and WOCCU young leader award.

Sandra’s passion for supporting the leadership growth of others led her to develop the eLeadership Academy™ in 2014. In addition to founding the Academy, she authored the book Your Mother Was Right: 15 Unexpected Lessons About Leadership and the Brain. Within the book she makes a strong connection between common sense offered universally by mothers, leadership in the workplace—and neuroscience.

Linda has over 30 years experience in the co-operative sector. In her role as a Senior Manager at Saskatchewan-based Affinity Credit Union she had responsibility for governance, policy, corporate social responsibility, marketing, community development, member education (focusing on financial literacy, fraud, and elder abuse), and corporate communications.

She was a leader in the merger/partnership which doubled the size of her organization, making it one of the ten largest credit unions in Canada, and was instrumental in the development of Affinity’s unique governance model including the development of a First Nations District devoted to the needs of first nations peoples.

In 2014 Linda left the comfort of “organizational life” to pursue a career in consulting to share her knowledge and expertise with a wider-range of organizations across Canada. Linda is the principal consultant for LSM Consulting Inc.

Linda has a passion for coaching, training and development that is linked to “change management” working with organizations to achieve their unique goals and objectives.

Sherry is an exemplary facilitator, trainer, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the credit union system. Her expertise in commercial lending and management has made her a reputable and highly regarded resource. She is extremely methodical in her teaching methods, yet passion driven, humorous, and understanding.

Sherry develops and delivers new course material in applied commercial lending and financial statement analysis. She often consults and collaborates with a number of credit unions and affiliated organizations to deliver tailor-made training programs specific to the needs of the organization.

Sherry has served on a number of boards, including the Mortgage Investment Association of British Columbia (BC), National Lenders Advisory Committee, and the Credit Counseling Society of BC. She has been involved in the success of many industry and community events, demonstrating her talent for organization and detail.

Fazila Nurani, Founder of PrivaTech Consulting, is a privacy and information security consultant, lawyer and trainer. She has a unique blend of legal training, IT consulting and records management experience, and has served both the public and private sectors.

Driven by her passion to assist organizations create privacy conscious environments, Fazila advises businesses in a range of industries on privacy and security best practices. Her clients include marketing firms, the insurance and health sectors, debt collectors, technology companies, retailers, the staffing industry and financial service providers. Fazila’s ability to lead engaging privacy training sessions and workshops is highly commended by PrivaTech’s clients. By conducting detailed privacy assessments and gap analyses; developing strong data protection policies and procedures; and raising privacy awareness, Fazila has assisted many organizations reduce the risk of a privacy breach.

Prior to pursuing a career in law, Fazila worked with various consulting firms, including Right Management Consultants and GSA Consulting Group Inc. Fazila designed information management systems and customized data security procedures for numerous entities.

Fazila’s legal experience began in the Information Technology Group at the law firm of Gowling Lafleur, Henderson LLP, where she worked on technology financing deals, software licensing, online advertising issues, domain name disputes and other Internet-related legal matters.

Fazila worked with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in 2000 before founding PrivaTech Consulting. She responded to public inquiries about the new private sector privacy legislation, which was heavily involved in establishing complaint-handling procedures, and assisted investigators in interpreting the law. Fazila continues to work extensively with policy advisors and legal counsel in the Federal and Ontario governments, providing direction on the implementation of initiatives with privacy implications.

Fazila holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and Law from the University of Toronto. She is also a Certified Information and Privacy Professional with the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and a Certified Information Systems Auditor with the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. Fazila has authored several papers relating to privacy and information security issues. Fazila has appeared on CTV numerous times to discuss privacy news items and her articles, which have been published in Enterprise Magazine, The Lawyers Weekly, and various industry publications. She currently authors a monthly e-newsletter called PrivaTips. Subscribers include privacy commissioners in Canada and abroad, and other leading privacy practitioners, including law firms and privacy officers of multi-national corporations.

Tamara Paton is a corporate director serving on the boards of Dealnet Capital, ServoAnnex and Meridian Credit Union, where she is vice chair. Previously, she held governance roles with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), Carson-Dellosa Publishing, the Canadian Automobile Association, and the Niagara Health System. When not serving on boards, Tamara advises leaders in digital media, e-commerce, financial services and other innovative consumer-facing sectors.

Tamara began her career at TD Securities, McKinsey & Company, and Torstar/Harlequin. She studied mathematics at the University of Waterloo and marketing at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Tamara also holds Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Director designations.

Mark Reno is an expert in the areas of executive leadership and leader character, business ethics & responsibility, and strategic management. As Ivey Business School’s first post-doctoral research fellow, Mark conducted world-leading research into the nature of good character in business leadership. As an adjunct professor at Ivey, he developed and facilitates Ivey’s HBA course in business ethics, and the business ethics course for the CIRI/Ivey Investment Relations Officer Certification Program.

Previously, Mark developed and facilitated Strategic Management for Credit Union Professionals for Dalhousie University, as well as, numerous other courses for Cusource Education in managerial-leadership development, commercial and consumer lending, and board governance. In addition, Mark developed, and facilitated across the USA, a comprehensive, leadership development program for Alcan. As a faculty member of The Banff Centre, Mark is the lead facilitator for the executive leadership course, Leading Strategically.

Mark began his career with The Royal Bank of Canada as a commercial banker and held a succession of leadership roles in treasury management, research & product development, marketing, and strategic planning for The Co-operators. Later, as CEO, he built and led an organization of professionals who researched and developed technology-assisted learning systems for clients including: Human Resources Development Canada, Petro Canada, Ottawa Board of Education, and Spar Aerospace. Subsequently, he acquired and turned-around an insolvent staffing company – saving the jobs of over 500 people. While completing his PhD, Mark led consulting and training engagements in organizational & leadership development as an associate of CFC Consulting Group, Montreal.

Mark completed his BA and MA in Philosophy (Ethics and Epistemology) from Western University, his MBA (General Management) from Ivey Business School, and both his MEd and PhD in Education from the University of Toronto, where he focused upon organizational transformation & learning, and managerial-leadership development, respectively. Mark’s 2011 doctoral thesis formulated and grounded an integrated theory of effective, ethical and responsible business leadership.

Mark is an active member of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative, the Academy of Management, and the International Leadership Association.

Felicity has 25 years of experience in commercial lending, including over 16 years in credit risk management at two of Canada’s largest credit unions. During her time in credit, she has adjudicated loans ranging from $1000 to over $10 million to a wide variety of borrowers including not for profits, social enterprises, real estate developers and small businesses.

Felicity has an honours BA in French Literature (Glendon College/York University) and an MBA (UBC). She has presented at conferences and provided coaching to social enterprises as part of her volunteer work.

Felicity resides in BC’s Okanagan Valley with her family, where they are loving the abundance of sunshine, delicious fruit and award-winning wines.

Ed is a career credit union and co-operative professional, with expert-level knowledge in corporate governance and financial institution management. As a facilitator with knowledge network since 2004, Ed has worked on the development of course content in the areas of balanced scorecard, CEO performance planning and evaluation, human resources planning, and merger planning and evaluation.

Ed combines post-graduate business study with over 30 years of experience and perspective that includes 10 years with a provincial central, over 10 years as a credit union chief executive and more than 10 years as a facilitator/advisor. His work with credit unions and co-operatives includes the development and implementation of business applications and solutions.

Ed’s background is further rounded-out in serving as a Director, Vice-Chair and member of the Executive Committee of Home Ownership Alternatives, a financial not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of cooperatively produced and affordable ownership housing.

Alisdair Smith is one of the most sought after coaches, speakers and workshop leaders in Canada. Alisdair brings wisdom, experience, humour to his practice. He has been serving boards and senior leaders of credit unions large and small from St. John’s to Victoria for over 20 years. He challenges people with respect and humour and is known for helping groups drive to outcomes. Some of his most important work has been in helping teams and boards of directors work through challenging and difficult decisions and issues, such as mergers, intra-team conflict, dramatic change in direction, ethical dilemmas and fragmenting board/CEO relationships. That he is consistently invited back to work with these groups is a testament to his work. He is passionate about the future of credit unions, and especially enjoying his work with the next generation of leaders across Canada.

Alisdair is Deacon & Business Chaplain at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Vancouver, serves as a facilitator for the Dalai Lama Centre, the SFU Community Square Dialogues, both in Vancouver. He has worked with NGOs in Australia, Solomon Islands, Ghana and South Africa and is committed to building community where ever he works.

Alisdair holds an MA in Theology and Ethics and is an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director.

Rhonda Taylor is the Director of Member Service for PenFinancial Credit Union and a 27 year veteran of the Credit Union industry. She leads and supports PenFinancial’s retail branch teams fostering a culture of co-operation and collaboration making sure their People, Service Commitments and Value Discipline are a consistent focus of everything they do, delivering on their brand promise.

Along with many years of experience her educational achievements include but are not limited to, a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified International Wealth Manager, Registered Retirement Consultant, Financial Management Advisor, Associate of the Institute of Canada Bankers and holder of a Master’s Degree in Leadership from the University of Guelph.

Rhonda sits on the board of directors for the Credit Union Leaders Association as their Vice Chair as well as the Niagara Fall Chamber of Commerce and is an active educator on topics including business, leadership, credit and investment/advice.

Julene Toews Dewis is a facilitator and HR professional who focuses on organizational and employee development. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Julene enjoyed a ten year career in the Credit Union system that included senior positions in both the retail and corporate environments.  Her most recent position was the Manager of Employee Development at a large Manitoba Credit Union where she led the development and execution of award-winning leadership and sales and service training programs.

To complement her experience, Julene completed a Bachelor of Commerce and a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Manitoba.

Barbara Trieloff Deane’s background includes wealth advisory, senior leadership and executive roles with CIBC and Qtrade Financial Group.

She has been in the financial planning business for 20 plus years. Her designations in addition to her doctorate include: Certified Financial Planner, Certified International Wealth Manager and Financial Management Advisor.

Barbara is a published conference speaker.

Rick considers himself a Connoisseur of Life, having retired at the end of 2017 from a long career in the financial services industry.  His career spans 41 years, having held various positions in both the banking and Credit Union industries within Atlantic Canada.  The last 26.5 years were spent within the Credit Union industry in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and most recently New Brunswick, where he retired from the position of CEO of OMISTA Credit Union.

Rick holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University, an MBA in IT Management from Athabasca University, and a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Athabasca University.  His doctoral dissertation was titled “Credit Union Mergers: Psychological Contracts & Organizational Trust”.  In addition, Rick is a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute (FCUIC), a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement (CUDA) program and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR).

Rick has held seats on several professional committees including Board Director of the Human Resources Association of NB, Board Director of the Co-Operative Enterprise Council of NB and Board Director/Vice Chair with League Data Limited, provider of data support services to Atlantic Credit Unions.  He has served on various Boards, including Junior Achievement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, CPPMA and other associations.

Craig currently holds the position of Account Manager, with the Enterprise Development Unit at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Nova Scotia. Previously, he was the Manager of Commercial Lending, with a 7-branch Credit Union system in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prior to entering the credit union system, Craig started his lending career in Halifax in 2001, with the Business Development Bank in the Entrepreneurship Centre, as an Account Manager.

Committed to learning and development, Craig has a certification as a Small Business Counselor (CBC) through the P.J. Gardiner Institute, Memorial University, holds his Commercial Lending Accreditation through CUIC®, is a certified lean productivity level one Yellow Belt through Canadian Manufactures and Exporters, and has his CUDA® Accredited Credit Union Director Designation. As a seasoned presenter, trained as a certified Dale Carnegie instructor, he has facilitated programs both within the credit union system and externally in the business and academic community. Craig is deeply motivated in working with credit union professionals, to facilitate their skills, growth and development, with the aspiration of advancing the success of credit union members throughout the country.

In addition to the facilitation work with Cusource Education, Craig is an active volunteer, as past Chair of the Board of East Coast Credit Union, current Chair of the Credit Committee and executive committee member and past Board Chair with Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM) in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Craig Williams, was born and raised in St. John’s Newfoundland and currently resides in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, and is blessed with a wonderful wife and two wonderful children.