PODCAST · business
WCMS Alumni Frogcast
by WCMSAA
Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) is a 3 year educational/training program created to give credit union leaders a deep dive into the purpose and mission of operating a cooperative business model. The Frogcast was created to continue our unique WCMS education, to deepen our connection to the school, each other, and the credit union industry, and maybe spark a memory or two from our time on campus at Pomona College. In this podcast we interview the faculty and alumni of the school on the challenges and opportunities we face. Come along as we jump into a conversation of head and heart!
Episodes
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Episode 63 - Alen Torosyan (October 2026)
Alen Torosyan, President and CEO of Parishioners Federal Credit Union, joins us to share his perspective of small credit unions and their sustainability. While many in the industry see a limited horizon for the smallest CU’s, including Alen at one point in his career, he has made a 180 since…
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Episode 62 - Matt Boness (September 2026)
Matt Boness, Employee Engagement Specialist at Nusenda CU in Albuquerque NM, joins us today to share Nusenda's approach to building culture, engagement, and belonging within their team. The CU just won the USA Today Top Workplace award for the 14th year in a row, so they've got some cred on this...
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Episode 61 - Shawna Acera (August 2026)
After a month off for our 2026 session of WCMS, we are back at it with a new guest and a unique topic. Our guest is Shawna Acera, who is the Process Excellence Manager at Frontwave CU in Oceanside, CA. While we all want to get better for our members every day, Frontwave has gone so far as to…
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Episode 60 - Chad Shane (June 2026)
For our 60th episode we are joined by Chad Shane, President and CEO of Canvas CU in Colorado. With a strong background in sales and lending, including 8 years at Origence, Chad has taken a unique path to his current role. Relatively new to the CEO seat, he shares his thoughts on the challenges…
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Episode 59 - Nate Burns (May 2026)
My, how the tables have turned! Our guest this month is none other than our own Nate Burns, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at TruStage. To make it even better, we have the WCMS legend Nancy Wood filling his spot as interviewer! Nate, a graduate of the Iota class of 2011, provides a unique...
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Episode 58 - Ryan Cash (April 2026)
Our April guest is Ryan Cash, Chief Experience Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union in beautiful Santa Cruz California. With over two decades of industry experience at the intersection of lending, operations, and member experience Ryan has played a key role in evolving how the organization serves...
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Episode 57 - George San Martin (March 2026)
George San Martin serves as the President & CEO of Novo Credit Union, and as our guest this month. A graduate of our most recent WCMS class, George has served in the industry for multiple decades and volunteers for multiple industry and community organizations. Novo CU is a relatively small CU…
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Episode 56 - Bonnie Clapp and Cory McDaniel (February 2026)
We are going behind the WCMS curtain today to hear from the school's two new administrative team members, Bonnie Clapp and Cory McDaniel. Bonnie's day job is as a Business Analyst for iQ Credit Union in Vancouver, WA, but also volunteers as the Director of Operational Support for WCMS. Cory, a...
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Episode 55 - Ben Greiving (January 2026)
We are kicking off 2026 with a distinguished WCMS alumni, one of only a few to have graduated from the program with Highest Honors. Ben Greiving serves as General Counsel & Chief of Staff at Canvas Credit Union in Colorado where he not only leads the CU's legal, compliance, and policy functions…
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Episode 54 - Scott Simpson (December 2025)
The Frogcast is finishing 2025 strong with someone who's name has been in credit union news a lot lately. Scott Simpson, recently appointed President/CEO of America's Credit Unions, joins us to speak about how he plans to lead the CU movement in the future. Scott's experience within the industry…
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Episode 53 - Justin Martin (November 2025)
Our November guest is Justin Martin, CEO of TAPCO Credit Union in Tacoma, Washington. Justin has served in this role for four years, but had previously served the industry in various executive roles including CHRO, Chief Marketing Officer, and COO. In his current role, Justin has led the credit...
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Episode 52 - Michael Nagl (October 2025)
This month we are joined by Michael Nagl, President and CEO for Centennial Lending, LLC. As a CUSO, which is a company owned by credit unions and for credit unions and its members, Centennial Lending provides an important strategic partnership to the industry. Michael's career journey to credit...
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Episode 51 - Gene Pelham (September 2025)
This month's guest is an icon of the credit union movement. With a career spanning four decades, Gene Pelham has proven himself an impactful leader across the movement and within the halls of WCMS. His 2022 retirement as CEO of Rogue Credit Union has not ended his impact at all. Gene continues to...
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Episode 50 - Erin Estelle (August 2025)
We are fortunate to have Erin Estelle, Chief Marketing Officer at Valley Strong Credit Union, join us on the Frogcast this month. As a former collegiate and professional athlete, and with a previous career in Retail, Erin has some interesting viewpoints and valuable insights about the credit…
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Episode 49 - Darin Woinarowicz & Stefanie Villalobos (July 2025)
Today we have a double-hitter as both Darin Woinarowicz and Stefanie Villalobos joining the Frogcast. Darin serves as the President & CEO at Arrowhead CU, and Stefanie as the AVP of Philanthropy & Community Impact with the CU. The Alumni Association has asked them to join us because of their...
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Episode 48 - Marlene Nielsen & Elise Schexnayder (June 2025)
Our June episode is a two-for-one, as we have two credit union leaders and recent graduates of WCMS for you. Marlene Nielsen is the Payments Manager at Granite CU and Elise Schexnayder is the Director of Professional Development for the California Credit Union League. Both graduated from WCMS…
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Business Partner Frogcast (Thom Back - Performance Trust) - May 2025
Thom Back, Director of Education and Client Insights and Analytics at Performance Trust, joins the Frogcast to discuss the current economic landscape and its impact on credit union margins and ROA. He goes on to discuss strategic opportunities and challenges many of his clients are facing,...
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Episode 47 - Melia Heimbuck (April 2025)
Melia Heimbuck, President & CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico, joins the Frogcast this month. Melia has served multiple leagues in her career, and as Principal of Risk Management Solutions for CU Solutions Group. Today, she speaks about the important advocacy work the leagues are...
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Episode 46 - Ronaldo Hardy (March 2025)
This month we have the amazing Ronaldo Hardy on the Frogcast! Ronaldo has served in multiple prominent positions within the CU industry including CEO of multiple credit unions, owner of CU Strategic Planning, CEO of NACUSO, and host of an award-winning reality show. Just recently, Ronaldo…
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Business Partner Frogcast - Jim Stickley (Feb 2025)
One of the WCMS’s long-time supporters, Jim Stickley, joins the Frogcast today to talk all things cyber security. Jim is the CEO of Stickley on Security, where he served as an identity thief (but he is no criminal) for thousands of financial institutions, Fortune 100 corporations, healthcare...
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Episode 45 - Madeline Stewart (January 2025)
Today we have Madeline Stewart, the President and CEO of Vida Credit Union, joining us on the Frogcast. She has served her credit union for nearly 25 years in multiple roles and with a passionate focus on operational performance. On the tail end of a rapid rebranding initiative, Madeline shares…
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Episode 44 - Fidel Gonzalez (December 2024)
December’s guest is Fidel Gonzalez, the President and CEO of First Imperial Credit Union and a proud member of the 1999 Phi Class of WCMS. Among many accomplishments, Fidel has led his low-income designated credit union to also become a CDFI certified credit union. With the CDFI designation, the...
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Episode 43 - Danielle Bridges (November 2024)
This month’s guest is none other than Danielle Bridges, SVP of Capital Markets and Mortgage Lending at Vantage West CU in Tucson, Arizona. Her impressive and unique set of responsibilities spans lending, finance and treasury management, and allows Vantage West to open up new and innovative…
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Episode 42 - Chad Bollinger (October 2024)
We are fast-tracking the publishing of today's episode given the timeliness of the topic. On the Frogcast today we have Chad Bollinger, CFO of Credit Union of Colorado, to talk about yesterday's 50 basis point rate cut by the Fed. A WCMS graduate with the Theta class of 2010, Chad provides a…
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Episode 41 - Bebe Souvannavong (September 2024)
A first for the Frogcast, today's guest is a very recent graduate of WCMS. Bebe Souvannavong only graduated from WCMS in July, along with her Phi class of 2024. In the real world, Bebe is the VP of Learning & Development at Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union. Still riding high from her...
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Episode 40 - Ken Senus (August 2024)
Today we are joined by Ken Senus, currently serving as the 9th President and CEO of St. Mary's Bank - the oldest credit union in the country. In his career he has led core conversions, M&A transactions, and many other progressive responsibilities. Ken explains to us the background story of St....
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Business Partner Frogcast - Paul Bean (July 2024)
In support of those organizations that support WCMS and its alumni, the Frogcast will occasionally introduce our audience to the organizations that provide us with both financial and operational resources. Our second such episode is with Paul Bean, CEO of AGP Digital Marketing. Paul formed his...
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Episode 39 - Jeremy Calva (July 2024)
July's guest on the Frogcast is Jeremy Calva, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Rivermark Community Credit Union. With a diverse background across multiple industries, and a long history in credit unions, his viewpoint is unique and well-founded with a strong financial viewpoint. Always on the...
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Episode 38 - Zach Christensen (June 2024)
This month we are joined by Zach Christensen, Director of Communications and Digital Marketing at Mitchell Stankovic & Associates. MS&A is a strategic consulting firm which has served only credit unions for 30 years, focused primarily on Board Governance and CEO support. His passion for Credit...
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Business Partner Frogcast - Ken Bator - April 2024
In support of those organizations that support WCMS and its alumni, the Frogcast will occasionally introduce our audience to the organizations that provide us with both financial and operational resources. Our first Business Partner guest is Ken Bator, President/CEO of Bator Training and…
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Episode 37 - Deonne Christensen (April 2024)
This month we are joined by Deonne Christensen, President & CEO of Mazuma Credit Union in Kansas City. Deonne has been in credit unions for 20+ years and the financial services industry for 30+ years. Her early career was spent in a large bank, which provided her a limited view into the broader...
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Episode 36 - Laura Worzella (March 2024)
This month we are joined by the passionate and experienced Laura Worzella, Chief Operating Officer at OneAZ Credit Union. Laura joined the credit union movement after a long career with large banks like Wells Fargo, and shares with us how enlightening that transition has been. With that…
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Episode 35 - Charlie Watts (February 2024)
Today we are joined by Charlie Watts, President & CEO of Aurora Federal Credit Union in Colorado. Charlie joins the Frogcast to share his career story within our industry, starting with a corporate credit union, growing through a credit union CFO position, and all the way to the top seat as CEO....
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Episode 34 - Tracie Kenyon (February 2024)
This month's guest is Tracie Kenyon, the retired President of the Montana Credit Union League, Herb Wegner Award winner, and certified professional coach with Humanidei. Tracie's four decades of credit union service at multiple levels have provided her with a unique and humbling view of our...
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Episode 33 - Jennifer Victor (December 2023)
To wrap up 2023 we have the amazing Jennifer Victor, VP of Branch Sales and Service at Travis Credit Union in Vacaville California. A 2022 graduate of WCMS, a long-term financial professional, and a proud mother, Jennifer joins us today to talk about a taboo term in credit unions... sales. She...
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Episode 32 - Brandi Gleason (October 2023)
This month we are joined by WCMS's brand new Provost and Chief Operating Officer, Brandi Gleason. Much has changed behind the scenes of WCMS this year with the well-earned retirement of Nancy Woods and the unfortunate loss of David Ellings, but the school remains in great hands with Brandi's...
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Episode 31 - Randy Stolp (September 2023)
Please welcome Randy Stolp to this month's Frogcast. Randy has a long and varied career in credit unions, currently serving as CIO for My Community Credit Union in Texas. Randy talks about the subject of 'thinking differently' and the intersection of people and technology, and introduces the idea...
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Episode 30 - Janet Gaspard (August 2023)
This month the Frogcast is joined by Janet Gaspard, SVP and Chief People Officer of First Entertainment Credit Union in Hollywood, CA. As her title suggests, Janet has her focused on building culture and people in her career. She joins us today to talk about what has changed more recently in...
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Episode 29 - Hector Martin (July 2023)
This month's guest is Hector Martinez, who was recently named President & CEO of County Schools Federal Credit Union in Ventura, CA. He joins us to share the viewpoint, challenges, and surprises he has faced as a first time CEO. Hector also serves as the Founder & Chairman of the Emerging Credit...
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Episode 28 - Caroline Willard (June 2023)
Caroline Willard, President & CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League, is our distinguished guest this month. The Cornerstone League primarily serves credit unions in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas but has now expanded certain services to 48 states under her leadership.…
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Episode 27 - Corlinda Wooden (May 2023)
This month we are diving into one credit union's DEI journey through the eyes of their SVP/Chief Retail Officer, Corlinda Wooden. Unitus Community Credit Union, located in Portland Oregon, made the strategic and purpose-driven decision to focus on improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within...
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Episode 26 - Shonna Shearson (April 2023)
This month we are flipping the script on our very own Shonna Shearson, and she doesn't see it coming. If you've listened before, you know that Shonna usually interviews our Frogcast guests alongside Nate. But in light of her exciting new career news we decided this was the month Shonna should be...
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Episode 25 - Troy Stang (March 2023)
This month's guest on the Frogcast is Troy Stang, President and CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association serving Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Beyond his work within these states and state houses, Troy also works at the federal level to further credit union issues in...
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Episode 24 - Ryan Kane (February 2023)
Artificial Intelligence in credit unions? Are we ready for that? The answer is a solid "maybe?". On the Frogcast today we have Ryan Kane, the VP of IT at Ontario Montclair School Employees FCU, to share an update of where AI technology stands currently. Are the robots ready to take over yet?...
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Episode 23 - Mark Klinkert (January 2023)
Today's guest is Mark Klinkert, a name, face, and voice that should be familiar to everyone who has attended WCMS in the recent past. Mark has served as the Provost of WCMS for the past 27 years, where he is responsible for the logistics and operations of the school each summer. This was only a...
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Episode 22 - Tena Lozano (December 2022)
Today's guest has more than 30 years of experience in the Credit Union movement and has been recognized as a Credit Union Rock Star. Tena Lozano is the Executive Director of the Richard Myles Johnson (RMJ) Foundation, which is the credit union foundation for the states of California and Nevada.…
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Episode 21 - Back on Campus (November 2022)
The WCMS Alumni Conference was held in-person this July for the first time since 2019 in conjunction with WCMS students returning to Pomona College for the first time since the pandemic as well. To commemorate this exciting reunion, this month's Frogcast episode isn't limited to one guest in...
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Episode 20 - Bob Toohey (October 2022)
Today we have a very special guest on the Frogcast, Bob Toohey. The name might not sound familiar to many of us more recent graduates of WCMS, but we can assure you that Bob has been instrumental in creating the WCMS experience we know and love today. Bob was a graduate of WCMS in 1975 and a...
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Episode 19 - Eric Bruen (September 2022)
This month our guest on the Frogcast is the unique and energizing Eric Bruen, CEO of Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union. Eric has led the credit union for over 20 years, but that time period has been a challenging and exciting ride for Eric and his team. "PCA Guy", as he is known as to many,...
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Episode 18 - Helen Mickel (July 2022)
This month the Frogcast is joined by Helen Mickel. Helen serves as President/CEO of Tongass Federal Credit Union in Ketchikan Alaska. Her CU's field of membership covers multiple islands and small communities only reachable by boat or floatplane, and because of that Tongass FCU has a very...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) is a 3 year educational/training program created to give credit union leaders a deep dive into the purpose and mission of operating a cooperative business model. The Frogcast was created to continue our unique WCMS education, to deepen our connection to the school, each other, and the credit union industry, and maybe spark a memory or two from our time on campus at Pomona College. In this podcast we interview the faculty and alumni of the school on the challenges and opportunities we face. Come along as we jump into a conversation of head and heart!
HOSTED BY
WCMSAA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does WCMS Alumni Frogcast have?
WCMS Alumni Frogcast currently has 67 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is WCMS Alumni Frogcast about?
Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) is a 3 year educational/training program created to give credit union leaders a deep dive into the purpose and mission of operating a cooperative business model. The Frogcast was created to continue our unique WCMS education, to deepen our connection to the...
How often does WCMS Alumni Frogcast release new episodes?
WCMS Alumni Frogcast has 67 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to WCMS Alumni Frogcast?
You can listen to WCMS Alumni Frogcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts WCMS Alumni Frogcast?
WCMS Alumni Frogcast is created and hosted by WCMSAA.
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