The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) celebrated an additional 48 graduates of its signature Development Education (DE) program last week.
The fourth and final cohort of 2022 marked the end of the DE program’s 40th year.
This graduating class joins more than 2,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries who have previously received their CUDETM (Credit Union Development Educator) designation.
Dohnia Dorman, chief experience officer for the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), was among the graduating class. Dorman said, “I’ve heard people describe DE as ‘transformative’ and ‘life-changing’ for many years. I can say with certainty it’s not hyperbole.
“I’ve come away from DE with a deeper understanding of how multiple, seemingly unrelated global issues can compound to make financial services inaccessible to so many. More importantly, I have a clearer vision for how the AACUC can influence our domestic and international credit union ecosystem, and can partner with credit unions to address these issues and build the truly equitable, inclusive financial movement the credit union system was formed to be.”
The Foundation’s Director of Programs, Tobi Weingart, added, “The needs and expectations of consumers have radically changed since DE was established in 1982. But the opportunity for credit unions to leverage the cooperative principles to meet those needs—to work with empathy to understand their communities, and develop products and services that have a positive, measurable impact on them—remains.
“The DE program’s longevity is testimony to the credit union movement’s unerring commitment to improve financial well-being for all.”
Registration opens for the first DE class of 2023 later this month.