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Minnesota Credit Union Directors Conference
October 2–3, 2026 | Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis, MN Strengthening Governance. Shaping Strategy. Advancing Credit Unions. Join credit union directors, board officers, supervisory committee members, CEOs, and industry leaders for the second annual Credit Union Directors Conference. Designed exclusively for credit union Boards and Supervisory Committee members, this conference provides education, networking, and practical insights to help leaders navigate today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's opportunities. Attendees will explore topics related to governance, strategic oversight, leadership, industry trends, and the evolving role of boards in shaping the future of their credit unions. New for 2026!
Who should attend? This conference is specifically designed for credit union boards, supervisory committees, and CEOs. Registration information: Registration is $449 per person - includes all conference sessions, networking reception, breakfast, and lunch. Guest (spouse or partner to attend the conference reception and meals) $199 Deadline to register is September 18, 2026. Lodging Details: A room block is available and is open for booking. Reserve your room by Friday, September 11. The Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis is conveniently located less than 2 miles from the Mall of America and 3 miles from the MSP airport. Booking Link |
Conference Agenda
Friday, October 2
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Concurrent Pre-Conference Sessions
Board Officer Pre-Conference Session: Speaker Katy Zaleski, Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant, Zealyst
Board Officer Leadership
Designed specifically for board officers, this interactive session explores the unique responsibilities of board leadership and how officers can foster an effective, engaged, and high-performing board. Participants will discuss best practices for leading productive meetings, strengthening board culture, partnering with the CEO, and creating an environment where strategic conversations and sound governance can thrive.
Supervisory Committee Member Pre-Conference Session: Ancin Cooley, Founder and Principal, Synergy Credit Union Consulting, Inc.
Beyond the Checklist
Most supervisory committees inherit a checklist and are told to run it. This session redefines the function — from compliance verifier to early-warning system — and shows committees how to use the audit relationship, data, and board access they already have to protect the institution. Key Takeaways include:
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Registration
Check in and connect with fellow attendees before the opening session.
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Welcome and Updates
4:15 – 5:00 PM
General Session
Ancin Cooley, Founder and Principal, Synergy Credit Union Consulting, Inc.
Understanding Your Board Packet: What the Numbers and Reports Actually Tell You About Strategy
Most director financial training stops at "can you read the call report." This session goes further. Using live institutional data, learn how to spot the moments when the balance sheet tells you the strategy is broken — before the regulator, the auditor, or the merger banker does. Key Takeaways include:
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Networking Reception
Hosted drinks and appetizers to kick off the conference with conversation and connection.
Evening
Dinner on Your Own
Enjoy time with your board or explore nearby dining options in Mall of America.
Saturday, October 3
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Board Chair & CEO Roundtable Breakfast
A dedicated session for Board Chairs and CEOs to connect, share insights, and discuss board leadership challenges.
9:00 – 10:00 AM
General Session
Katy Zaleski, Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant, Zealyst
Modern Day Governance: How to Thrive at Today’s Accelerated Pace
High-performing boards look forward more than they look back. This session provides practical strategies to strengthen collaboration, clarify governance roles, and enhance board engagement. Participants explore how to create inclusive and future-focused boards that align governance with culture, mission, and community needs. Whether refining existing processes or developing new ones, attendees gain actionable insights to help boards lead with strategy, purpose, and integrity.
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 – 11:30 AM
General Session & Roundtable
Kris Jacobsen, VP Business Development, MnCUN, and Panel
Boardroom Best Practices: Lessons from Experienced Credit Union Directors
What makes an effective credit union board? Hear directly from a panel of experienced credit union directors as they share practical insights on governance, board culture, strategic oversight, CEO partnership, and the habits that contribute to high-performing boards. Through a facilitated discussion, panelists will offer real-world perspectives on what's working in their boardrooms, lessons they've learned, and advice for fellow volunteer leaders.
Following the panel, attendees will participate in roundtable discussions to exchange ideas, compare practices, and explore how these lessons can be applied within their own credit unions. You'll leave with practical takeaways, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections with peers facing many of the same opportunities and challenges.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch and Industry Updates
Enjoy lunch while hearing timely updates from regulatory and credit union system leaders on the issues shaping today's operating environment. Brief presentations will cover legislative and regulatory developments, industry priorities, advocacy efforts, and initiatives designed to help board members stay informed and support their credit union's long-term success.
1:00 – 2:00 PM
General Session
Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions
Forces at Play: What’s Shaping Credit Unions Now
From Capitol Hill to Main Street, today’s credit unions are navigating a storm of change. Regulatory shifts, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, rapid tech evolution, and shifting consumer expectations are all colliding—and reshaping how we serve, compete, and grow.
This session offers a fast-paced, high-level briefing on the trends and forces shaping our operating environment—inside the Beltway, across the U.S., and around the globe. More importantly, we’ll explore how credit unions are responding: leaning into innovation, doubling down on advocacy, and staying true to their mission in a time of disruption.
Walk away with insights that will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and relevance.
2:00 – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 – 2:45 PM
Roundtable Discussions: Facilitator: Anthony Demangone
2:45 – 3:00 PM
Closing Comments
Friday, October 2
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Concurrent Pre-Conference Sessions
Board Officer Pre-Conference Session: Speaker Katy Zaleski, Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant, Zealyst
Board Officer Leadership
Designed specifically for board officers, this interactive session explores the unique responsibilities of board leadership and how officers can foster an effective, engaged, and high-performing board. Participants will discuss best practices for leading productive meetings, strengthening board culture, partnering with the CEO, and creating an environment where strategic conversations and sound governance can thrive.
Supervisory Committee Member Pre-Conference Session: Ancin Cooley, Founder and Principal, Synergy Credit Union Consulting, Inc.
Beyond the Checklist
Most supervisory committees inherit a checklist and are told to run it. This session redefines the function — from compliance verifier to early-warning system — and shows committees how to use the audit relationship, data, and board access they already have to protect the institution. Key Takeaways include:
- The structural difference between a compliance-verifier committee and an early-warning-system committee
- How to use the internal audit relationship as a strategic asset
- The committee's three highest-leverage activities — and the activities that absorb time without protecting the institution
- A practical workplan for a high-performing supervisory committee year
- How to brief the board so committee findings actually drive change
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Registration
Check in and connect with fellow attendees before the opening session.
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Welcome and Updates
4:15 – 5:00 PM
General Session
Ancin Cooley, Founder and Principal, Synergy Credit Union Consulting, Inc.
Understanding Your Board Packet: What the Numbers and Reports Actually Tell You About Strategy
Most director financial training stops at "can you read the call report." This session goes further. Using live institutional data, learn how to spot the moments when the balance sheet tells you the strategy is broken — before the regulator, the auditor, or the merger banker does. Key Takeaways include:
- A board-friendly framework for interpreting the balance sheet beyond ratios
- Five financial signals that historically precede strategic failure
- How to read the loan portfolio, deposit composition, and capital position together — not in isolation
- The questions directors should ask when the numbers and the narrative don't match
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Networking Reception
Hosted drinks and appetizers to kick off the conference with conversation and connection.
Evening
Dinner on Your Own
Enjoy time with your board or explore nearby dining options in Mall of America.
Saturday, October 3
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Board Chair & CEO Roundtable Breakfast
A dedicated session for Board Chairs and CEOs to connect, share insights, and discuss board leadership challenges.
9:00 – 10:00 AM
General Session
Katy Zaleski, Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant, Zealyst
Modern Day Governance: How to Thrive at Today’s Accelerated Pace
High-performing boards look forward more than they look back. This session provides practical strategies to strengthen collaboration, clarify governance roles, and enhance board engagement. Participants explore how to create inclusive and future-focused boards that align governance with culture, mission, and community needs. Whether refining existing processes or developing new ones, attendees gain actionable insights to help boards lead with strategy, purpose, and integrity.
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 – 11:30 AM
General Session & Roundtable
Kris Jacobsen, VP Business Development, MnCUN, and Panel
Boardroom Best Practices: Lessons from Experienced Credit Union Directors
What makes an effective credit union board? Hear directly from a panel of experienced credit union directors as they share practical insights on governance, board culture, strategic oversight, CEO partnership, and the habits that contribute to high-performing boards. Through a facilitated discussion, panelists will offer real-world perspectives on what's working in their boardrooms, lessons they've learned, and advice for fellow volunteer leaders.
Following the panel, attendees will participate in roundtable discussions to exchange ideas, compare practices, and explore how these lessons can be applied within their own credit unions. You'll leave with practical takeaways, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections with peers facing many of the same opportunities and challenges.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch and Industry Updates
Enjoy lunch while hearing timely updates from regulatory and credit union system leaders on the issues shaping today's operating environment. Brief presentations will cover legislative and regulatory developments, industry priorities, advocacy efforts, and initiatives designed to help board members stay informed and support their credit union's long-term success.
1:00 – 2:00 PM
General Session
Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer, America's Credit Unions
Forces at Play: What’s Shaping Credit Unions Now
From Capitol Hill to Main Street, today’s credit unions are navigating a storm of change. Regulatory shifts, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, rapid tech evolution, and shifting consumer expectations are all colliding—and reshaping how we serve, compete, and grow.
This session offers a fast-paced, high-level briefing on the trends and forces shaping our operating environment—inside the Beltway, across the U.S., and around the globe. More importantly, we’ll explore how credit unions are responding: leaning into innovation, doubling down on advocacy, and staying true to their mission in a time of disruption.
Walk away with insights that will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and relevance.
2:00 – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 – 2:45 PM
Roundtable Discussions: Facilitator: Anthony Demangone
2:45 – 3:00 PM
Closing Comments
