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ICUF announces graduates of 2024 Financial Coach Program

Participants join network of 250 alumni

DES MOINES, IA (June 4, 2024) — The Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF), the philanthropic arm of the Iowa Credit Union League, announced the 2024 graduates of its ‘People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program. The program, which ran virtually in May, featured 50 attendees from 19 different credit unions. They join a network of 250 coaches in 42 different Iowa credit unions.

Participants were immersed in learning and simulation to help them grow in understanding of how a person’s relationship with money can impact their financial decision-making and lead to potential hardship. Financial coaches are member advocates who can help credit union members navigate difficult financial situations.

“Our Financial Coach Program provides Iowa credit union coaches with a deeper understanding of financial principles and empowers them to help members make smarter financial decisions,” said Ena Babic Barnes, Executive Director of ICUF. “By investing in this program, we not only enhance the well-being of members across the state, but we also set them on a path towards greater financial security and success.”

The curriculum for the ‘People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program was developed in partnership with Adam Carroll, founder of National Financial Educators.

“The financial coaches who went through our latest training are some of the most caring and curious we’ve had,” said Carroll. “One of the things I’m always reminded of when facilitating these training sessions is how much the ‘people helping people’ culture is alive and well in this industry.”

The graduates of the 2024 ICUF ‘People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program are:

  • Conner Brown, Ascentra Credit Union
  • Brandi Clark, Ascentra Credit Union
  • Tyler Cornett, Ascentra Credit Union
  • DJ Schnackel, Ascentra Credit Union
  • Paola Montes, Cedar Falls Community Credit Union
  • Hailey Handberg, Cedar Falls Community Credit Union
  • Clark Doyle, Cedar Falls Community Credit Union
  • Ty Kurth, CENT Credit Union
  • Rebecca Hegarty, Citizens Community Credit Union
  • Sharelle Glosser, Community 1st Credit Union
  • Ivy Griffiths, Community 1st Credit Union
  • Amy Hanson, Community 1st Credit Union
  • Megan Rice, Community 1st Credit
  • Kalli Young, Community 1st Credit Union
  • Autumn Chavarria, Community 1st Credit Union
  • Sherrie Keating, DuTrac Community Credit Union
  • Jamie Banfield, DuTrac Community Credit Union
  • Amanda Bronemann, Financial Plus Credit Union
  • Makayla Meysenburg, Financial Plus Credit Union
  • Riley Dodge, Financial Plus Credit Union
  • Tiffany Fleenor, Financial Plus Credit Union
  • Tricia Ochoa, Financial Plus Credit Union
  • Shay Cotner, Fort Dodge Family Credit Union
  • Joy Baccam, Greater Iowa Credit Union
  • Jade Baeza, Greater Iowa Credit Union
  • Amber Foley, Greater Iowa Credit Union
  • Natalie Newell, GreenState Credit Union
  • Angela Hixson, Linn Area Credit Union
  • Cheyenne Tyler, Linn Area Credit Union
  • Trish Swestka, Linn Area Credit Union
  • Sharelle Gandy, Linn Area Credit Union
  • Mario Madrigal, Members Community Credit Union
  • Nora Balvanz, Members 1st Community Credit Union
  • Kim Anderson, Midland Credit Union
  • Carissa Martin, Metco Credit Union
  • Jamie Johnson, Peoples Credit Union
  • Carrie Park, Peoples Credit Union
  • Reece Bowlin, Serve Credit Union
  • Jennifer Gomez, Serve Credit Union
  • Elis Garduno, Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
  • Ashlynne Hildreth, Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
  • Raven McHugh, Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
  • Esefany Alegria, Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
  • Tya Boucher, 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • Kari Diedrich, 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • Callie Hilgendorf, 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • Jennifer Nelson, 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • Alicia Schroeder, 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • Stacy Schutte, 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • Shelby Weets, 1st Gateway Credit Union

Each graduate of the program received a coaching resource book, as well as access to an online educational portal to continue his or her growth as a financial coach. This is ICUF’s sixth year of hosting the Financial Coach Program.

About Iowa Credit Union Foundation

Founded in 1995 as the philanthropic arm of the Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL), ICUF’s mission is guided by the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’. Guided by this philosophy ICUF works to champions financial wellbeing for all. For more information, visit www.IowaCreditUnionFoundation.org.

Contacts

Ena Babic Barnes
Executive Director
Iowa Credit Union Foundation
515.221.3002
ena.barnes@iowacreditunionfoundation.org

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