BenefisCU, the credit union-owned executive benefits CUSO powered by TriscendNP, is sponsoring two scholarships to CUES CEO Institute I: Strategic Planning, and the application deadline is December 18, 2026.
Funded through the company’s Industry Advancement Fund, each scholarship covers the full program registration fee. The target audience is both sitting CEOs and people who hope to hold the title someday. Think of it as a trail map for a climb that’s easier to attempt with a guide who has already been up the mountain.
BenefisCU CEO Alexandria Staron says the motivation is simple: the movement’s future depends on who’s being developed right now. “We want to invest in people who are curious, forward-thinking, and committed to something bigger than their own organization,” she said. The hope is that two standout leaders will grow through the program, then carry that growth back into the wider industry and make it stronger.
CUES CEO Heather McKissick pointed to the program’s track record. The CEO Institutes have been shaping credit union leaders for more than three decades, and she thanked BenefisCU for widening access to the experience and backing the next generation.
The CEO Institute is the flagship executive education offering from CUES. It’s a three-part series run in partnership with top business schools, and it blends faculty-led learning, peer collaboration, and practical business applications. Participants sharpen their leadership skills, stretch their strategic thinking, and build professional networks that tend to outlast the coursework. Those who complete the full program earn the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation, a respected credential that signals executive-level expertise and a commitment to leading well.
Applying takes some reflection rather than just a form. Candidates should lay out their vision for the future of the credit union movement, point to real examples of leadership and initiative, and explain how they’d use the CEO Institute to benefit both their own organization and the industry at large.
Two seats are covered, and applications close December 18, 2026.