MADISON, Wis.—CUES and partner Currency Marketing have named a group of highly-respected credit union leaders to serve as judges for the 2025 CUES Emerge program, which culminates with a Pitch Show on October 1 at 1 p.m. CDT. The judges are:
CUES Emerge was developed by CUES and Currency Marketing to offer free leadership development opportunities to rising professionals across the credit union industry.
This year’s cohort of 36 participants engaged in a dynamic program that combined expert-led sessions on strategic thinking, communication, and design thinking with collaborative Mastermind sessions. These experiences guided participants as they built business cases for their credit unions.
Of the 36 participants, 34 advanced into the competition phase. From this group, Five Finalists were selected to compete in the live online Pitch Show.
During the Pitch Show, each Finalist will deliver a seven-minute presentation of their business case, followed by a three-minute Q&A moderated by judging panelist Fero.
Judges will evaluate each presentation based on clarity, articulation of the business idea, and the potential benefits to credit unions.
A Top Three will be named, with one participant ultimately earning the title of 2025 CUES Emerging Leader.
Visit CUESEmerge.com to check out the Five Finalists’ business case ideas and sign up for a day-of Pitch Show reminder.
Learn more about CUES at cues.org.
About CUES
For over 60 years, CUES has advanced the credit union movement by developing exceptional purpose-driven leaders who meet the unique needs of their organizations and the communities they serve. CUES partners with credit unions to elevate the leaders of today and tomorrow through exclusive networking and event opportunities, programs that facilitate personal and professional development, and unmatched digital and in-person learning experiences. Visit CUES.org to learn how CUES plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of credit unions.
About Currency Marketing
Currency Marketing is a credit union-focused marketing firm. Our unique programs—It’s a Money Thing, and CUES Emerge—focus on helping credit unions raise awareness, build relationships and foster financial empowerment with young adults.
Connect with Currency Marketing at CurrencyMarketing.ca and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
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MADISON, Wis.—CUES is proud to announce the promotion of two senior leaders into newly elevated roles, reinforcing its commitment to agility, collaboration, and innovation in service of the credit union industry.
Jessica Hrubes, CUDE, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Relationship Management. In this new role, Hrubes will bring together member relations and business development under one vision, creating a powerful single point of connection for credit unions, suppliers, and business partners. Her leadership will foster seamless engagement, strengthen partnerships, and spark new opportunities for innovation and collaboration to benefit CUES members and their partners.
With more than 20 years of experience driving strategy, member engagement, and industry collaboration, Hrubes is widely respected for her ability to build high-performing teams and lead transformative initiatives. She is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and a graduate of both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the CUES CEO Institute, pairing professional excellence with a deep commitment to community.
Pixie Gray, ODCP, CUDE, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Organizational Development. In her expanded role, Gray has responsibility for internal organizational development, industry-facing leadership and talent programs, and the CUES Consulting division. Her work will ensure that CUES continues to deliver a forward-thinking, holistic approach to leadership development across the credit union system.
Gray brings over a decade of expertise in leadership development, coaching, design thinking, and process refinement, including Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) certification. Known for her ability to guide leaders and organizations through times of change and growth, with a specialty in post-merger culture integration, she is an accomplished facilitator of executive coaching, cultural transformation, and organizational health. She also holds certifications in the Leadership Circle Profile (LCP), From Bud to Boss Facilitation, QA Analysis, and is an Organizational Development Certified Professional (ODCP).
“These promotions highlight our continued commitment to evolving CUES’ services and programs to keep pace with the credit union industry,” said Heather McKissick, CUES CEO. “Jessica and Pixie are both visionary leaders whose expertise and creativity will strengthen alignment across our organization, deepen relationships, and inspire meaningful impact in the system.”
Learn more about CUES at cues.org.
About CUES
For over 60 years, CUES has advanced the credit union movement by developing exceptional purpose-driven leaders who meet the unique needs of their organizations and the communities they serve. CUES partners with the credit union system to elevate the leaders of today and tomorrow through exclusive networking and event opportunities, programs that facilitate personal and professional development, and unmatched digital and in-person learning experiences. Visit CUES.org to learn how CUES plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of credit unions.
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MADISON, WI – Ryan Suttles, Real Estate Specialist II, State Employees’ CU, NC, has been named the 2025 CUES Emerging Leader.
As one of five finalists, Suttle’s journey began when he was selected into the CUES Emerge program early in 2025. From there, attendees engaged in live online courses and Mastermind sessions, creating project ideas and developing business cases that were reviewed by a panel of judges.
On October 1, Suttle and the four other finalists presented their projects live during an online pitch show. The event was hosted by Tim McAlpine, Founder & CEO of Currency Marketing.
Two other finalists, Jennifer Dray, Director, Sales & Coaching, YNCU, ON, Canada, and Jessica Smith, AVP, Remote Experience, Unitus Community CU, OR, were named as runners-up.
Each Top 3 winner will receive a CUES educational package with options to advance their growth, led by top executive education professors, plus leadership assessment and coaching from Envision Excellence.
Suttle’s winning business case, Pipeline-Centered Mortgage Dashboard–Focused on Employee Efficiency & Member Transparency, outlines an innovative mortgage process that improves employee efficiency and member transparency.
The other finalists taking part in the online pitch show were:
CUES Emerge was created to offer free professional development to the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. Participants who complete the course work and business case earn the Certified Credit Union Manager (CCM) designation in recognition of their commitment to their career, credit union and the movement.
Watch the 2025 CUES Emerge Pitch Show replay and explore the program at CUESEmerge.com.
Learn more about CUES at cues.org. For more on Currency Marketing, visit CurrencyMarketing.ca.
About CUES
For over 60 years, CUES has advanced the credit union movement by developing exceptional purpose-driven leaders who meet the unique needs of their organizations and the communities they serve. CUES partners with credit unions to elevate the leaders of today and tomorrow through exclusive networking and event opportunities, programs that facilitate personal and professional development, and unmatched digital and in-person learning experiences. Visit CUES.org to learn how CUES plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of credit unions.
About Currency Marketing
Currency Marketing (www.currencymarketing.ca) is the leading credit union-focused financial education firm. The It’s a Money Thing Financial Education Program helps credit unions attract, educate and inspire young adult members, and provides education and financial training for members and staff. In addition, Currency Marketing partners with CUES to manage the CUES Emerge program aimed at celebrating the best emerging credit union leaders and their ideas.
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Brian Kidwell, SPHR, Executive Vice President, specializes in executive succession planning, SERP design, executive recruiting analytics, compensation and benefits analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, site selection analysis, organizational assessment, and strategic planning.
Kidwell is responsible for the development of D. Hilton’s Member Migration Model – an exclusive research tool used for customer segmentation, behavior analysis, and lifetime value. Before joining D. Hilton, Kidwell worked as a consultant focusing on consumer behavior business strategy.
Throughout his more than 20-year tenure with D. Hilton, Kidwell has experience working within every practice within the organization. He was client liaison to several of D. Hilton’s largest CEO executive search projects during the previous 10 years. Kidwell is also known as one of D. Hilton’s leading consultants in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, having facilitated more than 100 transactions throughout his career. His responsibilities also currently include working with credit unions in the areas of SERP investment management and risk assessment.
Kidwell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Texas State University. The Society for Human Resource Management has recognized him as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Kidwell is also a published author in major consumer research journals and trade publications, including co-author of D. Hilton’s industry leading SERP Survey report.
Chris brings more than 25 years of strategic compensation and corporate governance consulting experience with Fortune 50 public companies, private institutions and nonprofit organizations. He regularly advises boards and senior executives on all aspects of executive compensation and benefits. Chris is a national speaker and featured commentator on executive compensation and variable pay topics for numerous media outlets.
Marquis Carroll is the Chief Executive Officer of MSC Security, a cybersecurity education firm dedicated to developing and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. In addition to his leadership role, Marquis is an accomplished information security executive, advisor, and sought-after speaker. With extensive experience spanning startups, global enterprises, and consulting organizations, he has spent his career designing and delivering innovative security and engineering solutions that address complex challenges in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
