HARAHAN, LA (October 17, 2024) — Luminate and the Luminate Foundation are proud to announce the recipients of their annual CUDE Scholarship Program. This scholarship program is an initiative of the Luminate Foundation as well as Luminate’s Young Professionals Network.
The applications were reviewed by a panel of industry experts with extensive knowledge of the CUDE program.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Tawana Carmouche of Pelican State Credit Union and Tanguela Powers of Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
Each recipient will receive a scholarship to attend The National Credit Union Foundation’s (NCUF) Development Education (CUDE) Program. As the signature program of the NCUF, CUDE builds awareness of the development issues that prevent people from achieving financial freedom and how credit unions are uniquely positioned to address them.
“The CUDE program has the ability to transform why we choose the credit union difference for our careers. I am excited that Tangi & Tawana get to explore how they can identify and breakdown roadblocks to help improve the financial health of their members and communities,” said Lynette Hazelton, Director of Impact and Foundation.
Carmouche, an active credit union board member, has earned DEI Certification from the University of Miami, Certified Credit Union Board Member (CCUB) Certification from CUNA, and is a graduate of the 1st Visionary Leadership Academy. Her continued professional development includes attending the national Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington D.C. since 2020, Luminate conferences, and PSCU community events. She is committed to using her leadership to advocate for the voices that often go unheard in Louisiana’s credit union community. Carmouche will be attending the February 2025 program in Tampa, FL.
Powers, a dedicated talent development specialist, holds Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) and Certified Credit Union Facilitator (CCUF) certifications and is an active volunteer, coordinating community service projects for new hires at Neighbors FCU. As a member of Luminate’s Young Professionals Network and CUNA Technology & Operations Council, she contributed to initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment Program and local charity efforts including the Children’s Miracle Network and Food Bank. Her pursuit of attending the CUDE program reflects her commitment to deepening her leadership and fostering meaningful connections within the credit union movement. Powers will be attending the June 2025 program in Madison, WI.
More than 2,500 people from dozens of countries have graduated from the U.S. CUDE program since its launch in 1982. Through our scholarship program in Louisiana, we are excited to continue to grow the number of CUDE graduates in our state.
Luminate is a nonprofit, professional trade association that exists to serve credit unions in Louisiana. Luminate is dedicated, through cooperation, to promote, protect and perpetuate the credit union movement. For additional information, visit www.lcul.com.
Angela Melle,
Sr. Director, Communications & Education
(800) 452-7221, ext. 3007
