Two Credit Unions Announce New Hires; ICUL Announces 18 Iowa Credit Union Professionals Complete Iowa Innovation Group Leadership Program

Two credit unions, including Peake Federal Credit Union, announced new additions to their teams, and the Iowa Credit Union League announced that 18 Iowa credit union professionals have successfully completed the 2026 Iowa Innovation Group (IIG).

New Hires:

• Peake Federal Credit Union (Peake) has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Simone Sterling as Vice President of Compliance and Risk. Simone joins the team with more than 18 years of financial services experience, including more than 13 years in the credit union industry. Her background across operations, compliance, fraud, audit, and enterprise risk brings a practical perspective to protecting members while supporting effective, responsible growth as the credit union continues to evolve. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Business and Computer Studies from the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica. In addition, Sterling has earned the Certified Credit Union Internal Auditor (CCUIA), Certified Credit Union Compliance Officer (CUCO), and Credit Union Enterprise Risk Certification (CUERC) designations and has led security and authorization improvements during a core conversion.
• InterLutions is pleased to welcome Jordyn Hochwarter to its growing team as Client Services Support. She will help deliver a positive client experience by supporting the day-to-day administration of benefit services. Hochwarter will help strengthen and scale InterLutions’ client service operations, supporting the organization’s commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience. She will contribute to process improvement initiatives, operational excellence, and the ongoing development of service models that support sustainable growth and long-term client success.
• Everwise Credit Union has named Jennifer Rue Deputy General Counsel, bringing more than 20 years of credit union experience spanning legal, risk, audit, and operations to the organization. As Deputy General Counsel, Rue will provide legal guidance and support to teams across Everwise, including reviewing and negotiating contracts, managing litigation and outside counsel, and helping lead the credit union’s Legal team. Her broad operational experience will bring an additional perspective as Everwise works to protect the credit union while supporting the needs of the business.
• Quinte Financial Technologies (Quinte) announced that fraud and financial crimes experts Rob Woellhaf and Mary Dishong-VanEtten have joined the company as Strategic Advisors. Woellhaf and Dishong-VanEtten have more than five decades of experience in fraud prevention, investigations, financial crimes, operational risk, and security leadership. Their expertise will support Quinte in helping financial institutions modernize how they manage compliance-sensitive investigations, fraud cases, disputes, and other regulated workflows through its flagship platform, CaseHUB.

Recognitions:

• For Stephanie Schmidt, learning never really stops. Corporate Central is proud to announce that Schmidt, APRP, AAP, AFPP, NCP, CWCUL, CUDE, CCUE, CCUFC, CCCM, Vice President Member Experience, has earned the Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) certification, adding another impressive credential to her professional toolkit.
• The Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) is proud to announce that 18 Iowa credit union professionals have successfully completed the 2026 Iowa Innovation Group (IIG). As Iowa’s signature credit union leadership program, IIG helps participants build the skills, mindset, and tools needed to drive innovation within their organizations and communities. The following individuals completed the 2026 Iowa Innovation Group program:
  • Dustin Barrett, Midland Credit Union
  • Kaleb Brooks, SHAZAM
  • Allie Caves, Ascentra Credit Union
  • Kelsey Dodson, First Class Community Credit Union
  • Clark Doyle, Cedar Falls Community Credit Union
  • Kaylynn Dresch, Financial Plus Credit Union
  • Alexis Fliss, MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union
  • Alison Henle, Lennox Employees Credit Union
  • Kaleigh Higgins, Premier Credit Union
  • Diana Ortega, Veridian Credit Union
  • Gwen Peters, PolicyWorks
  • Caitlin Ross, Community 1^st Credit Union
  • Robert Sanders, Ascentra Credit Union
  • Jordyn Schmitt, GreenState Credit Union
  • Maddie Striegel, Dupaco Community Credit Union
  • Jordan Weets, 1^st Gateway Credit Union
  • Laura Wolken, MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union
  • Jessica Zapata, Corda Credit Union
• Eglin Federal Credit Union is pleased to congratulate Information Systems Core Systems Computer Operator II Mary Calvert for 25 years of service. Mary currently resides in Fort Walton Beach. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, a celebratory breakfast was held at the Operations Center to honor Mary’s milestone anniversary. Friends and coworkers gathered to recognize her dedication and contributions.

Promotions:

• Amber Speer has been promoted to assistant vice president of retail experience at Numerica Credit Union, where she will support member relationships and retail teams across Spokane Valley and North Idaho branches. Speer has been with Numerica for nearly 10 years and most recently served as manager of the credit union’s Sullivan branch. In her new role, Speer will partner with retail leaders and teams to develop employees, strengthen the member experience, and support continued growth across the region.
• People’s Credit Union has announced the promotion of Rachel Semiao to Head of Portsmouth Member Operations, reporting to Lori Marshall, Head of the Portsmouth Branch. In this role, Ms. Semiao will provide leadership and support for daily branch operations while serving as a mentor and resource for the team. 

Appointments:

• Constant AI named five credit union executives to its newly formed credit union Client Advisory Board. This move is aimed at a problem every credit union knows well: the moment a struggling member goes silent and needs confidential assistance to keep them from falling further behind. The Client Advisory Board will guide Constant AI’s push to build the right tools that catch members before they fall behind on their payments or get them back on track. 
  • Board members:
    • Kent Lugrand, CEO, InTouch Credit Union (Chair); Plano, Texas; $875M in assets; 21+ years as ITCU’s CEO; Chair of Eltropy’s Client Advisory Board
    • April Clobes, CEO, MSUFCU; East Lansing, Michigan; $9.3B+ in assets; CEO since 2015; also CEO of Reseda Group, MSUFCU’s CUSO
    • John Anderson, Chief Lending Officer, Center Parc Credit Union; Atlanta, Georgia; $2.4B in assets; CLO since 2022
    • Scott Daukas, Chief Partnership Officer, One Washington Financial (wholly owned by WSECU; Olympia, Washington; $5.1B in assets); brings 25+ years of CU industry experience, including CSO at TwinStar Credit Union (Lacey, Washington; $4.27B in assets)
    • Garrett Jorewicz, SVP, Innovation & Enterprise Solutions, CU1; Lombard, Illinois; $1B+ in assets
• Lumin Digital announced the appointment of Mike Valentine, outgoing chief executive officer of BCU, to its board of directors, effective October 1, 2026. Valentine joins as an independent director designated as an industry executive and expert, bringing more than 40 years of experience leading and serving credit unions, along with the perspective of a longtime Lumin client.