August 4-5, 2026, in Bloomington, MN

Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference

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Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference Overview

Leadership isn't built in isolation — it's built together. The Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference unites credit union professionals from Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, and Wisconsin for two powerful days of inspiration, growth, and genuine connection.


Over the course of two days, you'll dive into sessions designed to challenge and elevate — from leading your team to drive real results and navigating the evolving landscape of advocacy, to mastering effective marketing, forecasting the future of the credit union movement, and discovering how letting go of hidden expectations can unlock a more authentic and impactful you. Add in a deep dive into the credit union community itself, and you'll leave with a fuller picture of the industry you serve.


But it's not just about what happens in the sessions. The Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference is where careers are shaped, mentors are found, and ideas that start as conversations become lasting change. Whether you're stepping into leadership for the first time or looking to sharpen the skills that got you here, this is your space to grow — and your opportunity to build a network that stretches across four states.


Young Professionals, Women's Leadership Network, and Tristate Mentorship participants are especially encouraged to attend. Your voice, your perspective, and your presence make this conference what it is.


Don't miss it. August 4–5, 2026 | Hyatt Regency | Bloomington, MN.

 

Conference Speakers Lineup
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Samantha Cherney

Senior Director, Brand & Marketing, Mission Brands Consulting

Samantha is a strategic marketing leader dedicated to helping credit unions strengthen trust, deepen member relationships, and build sustainable paths to growth.

Her work spans brand strategy, go-to-market planning, digital marketing, member acquisition, and experience design. She is known for bringing both strategic clarity and operational focus, helping teams align strategy, systems, and storytelling to expand reach while staying grounded in real member needs.

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Anne Connelly

Exponential Technology Strategist | Blockchain Expert 

Anne Connelly is a recognized leader in blockchain and cryptocurrency, with more than a decade of experience shaping how decentralized technologies drive social impact. She serves as Faculty at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where she teaches Blockchain for Social Impact, and as an expert on exponential thinking and decentralized societies at Singularity University.

 

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Victor Corro

CEO, Coopera Consulting

 

With more than 25 years of combined corporate leadership and consulting experience, Victor has a knack for unifying parties to advance the mission of making financial inclusion and well-being a reality.

As CEO of Coopera Consulting, a national multicultural analytics and consulting firm serving 300+ credit unions across 26 states, Victor works with organizations to craft data-driven strategies for growth by serving underserved and multicultural markets within their communities. He highlights financial challenges and cultural nuances to create solutions that are both mission-driven and financially sound.

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Steve Fredlund

Award-winning Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author 

Steve Fredlund is an award-winning keynote speaker, two-time TEDx presenter, and bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing. After more than 30 years as an actuary, executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder, including leading humanitarian efforts in East Africa, Steve gained a unique perspective on leadership in uncertain conditions.

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Mara Humphrey

President & CEO, Minnesota Credit Union Network

Mara Humphrey, President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network, is a seasoned financial services advocate with more than 20 years of experience championing the credit union movement. In her role, she leads efforts to strengthen and grow credit unions across the state, supporting more than 80 institutions that serve more than 2 million Minnesotans through 400+ locations. 

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Tracie Kenyon

Executive Development Partner, Humanidei

Tracie G. Kenyon is a passionate advocate for the credit union movement and a dedicated partner in leadership development. With a 41-year career spanning four states, four credit unions, and two credit union leagues, she brings deep experience and unwavering commitment to every role. In July 2023, Tracie retired after 22 years as President/CEO of the Montana Credit Union League, where her leadership left a lasting legacy.

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Gerry Singleton

President & CEO, Montana's Credit Unions

Gerry Singleton brings extensive experience and passion for the credit union movement into his role as MCU President/CEO of Montana’s Credit Unions. Gerry plans and directs the financial, operating, and human resources for the Montana Credit Union League, MCUCD, and the League Service Group. Before joining Montana’s Credit Unions, Gerry spent nearly 25 years as VP of Credit Union System Relations at CUNA Mutual Group, partnering with leagues, CUNA, and system stakeholders to strengthen the credit union movement.

 

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Sarah Wainscott

President & CEO, Wisconsin Credit Union League

For more than fifteen years, Sarah has served The League through various advocacy roles, culminating in the start of her tenure as President & CEO in January 2025. Her experience and expertise include lobbying, grassroots advocacy, political fundraising, and serving as Wisconsin credit unions' spokesperson on policy with legislators and regulators in Madison & Washington, D.

Leadership Conference Agenda

Tuesday, August 4th
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Registration
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Welcome and Ice Breaker
with Tristate Collaborative Board
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
The Courage to Team: Unlocking the Five Behaviors That Drive Results
with Tracie Kenyon

What separates a group of talented individuals from a truly high-performing team? It’s not just skill — it’s behavior. In this engaging and practical keynote, we’ll explore the Five Behaviors that fuel cohesive, results-driven teams: trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results. Leaders will discover how to move beyond surface-level harmony into real, productive collaboration — where candor replaces silence, accountability becomes shared, and results speak louder than egos. Expect insight, reflection, and a few “that hits close to home” moments.

11:45 a.m.
Networking Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Advocacy Panel
with Ryan Smith

Join Ryan Smith, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Minnesota Credit Union Network, as he facilitates an engaging conversation with leading advocacy champions from across the Tristate area — uncovering the insights and best practices driving meaningful change.

 

 

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Cost of “Yes, But They Get Results..."
with Tracie Kenyon

They hit their numbers. They exceed expectations. And they leave a trail of frustration, disengagement, or even fear behind them. So…, do you keep them? In this candid and thought-provoking session, we’ll tackle one of leadership’s toughest questions: should we tolerate toxic high performers? We’ll unpack the true cost of “brilliant jerks,” explore why leaders hesitate to act, and offer practical strategies for addressing behavior without sacrificing results. Participants will leave with greater clarity, courage, and a framework for making the call that protects both performance and culture.


 

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Changing Communities, Changing Opportunities
with Victor Corro
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Hello, is it me you’re looking for? Everything credit unions don’t know about their members
with Samantha Cherney

What if knowing a member’s name isn’t enough? What if the transaction data doesn’t tell the whole story? What if the answer to long-term growth is staring the system right in the face?

Discover simple strategies that can take your credit union deep into the community it thinks it’s serving, and uncover the real friction points hindering your growth and your (potential) members’ financial wellbeing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Understand why traditional surveys and internal data often reinforce assumptions rather than reveal new insight

  • Learn practical, low- to no-cost methods for conducting immersive, community-based research

  • Recognize how cultural nuance, local language and frontline observation can effectively reshape your credit union’s brand, messaging and impact

 

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Panel of mentorship program participants

Mentorship changes everything. Join a dynamic panel of mentors and mentees from the Tristate Mentorship Match program as they reflect on the growth, breakthroughs, and bonds forged during their year-long journeys together. Launched in 2022, this celebrated program continues to evolve — including welcoming Nebraska credit unions in 2026.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hot Topic Roundtables
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Networking Sponsor Reception

 

Wednesday, August 5th
8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Mentorship Program Celebration Coffee Talk
8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Breakfast
9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Exploring Future Scenarios: A Future Forecasting Workshop
with Anne Connelly

This is an interactive session designed to help participants visualize and analyze the potential ripple effects of emerging trends or decisions. Attendees will collaboratively map out the direct, indirect, and long-term consequences of a specific change or event, creating a visual representation of possible future scenarios. This workshop encourages creative thinking and strategic foresight, equipping participants with the tools to anticipate challenges, uncover opportunities, and make more informed decisions in an ever-evolving world.

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Closing General Session, Covered in Should: A humorous Look at the Journey from Being Right to Being Extraordinary
with Steve Fredlund

A funny, heartfelt journey from expectations to authenticity — and from doing everything “right” to discovering what’s truly extraordinary.

For much of his life, Steve Fredlund did everything he was “supposed” to do — followed the rules, made good decisions, and kept everyone happy. But over time, he realized he was covered in should — buried under expectations that left him restless and unfulfilled. In this humorous and poignant keynote, Steve reflects on his own journey from doing what was right to embracing what was real. Through laughter, storytelling, and raw honesty, audiences see themselves in his story and leave inspired to wash off the “should,” reconnect with what matters most, and step boldly into their own extraordinary.

11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Conference Wrap Up
with Tristate Collaborative Board

 

 

 

 
Register Now!  Early Bird Discount Rate until June 15
$449
per person
Register Now!
Purchase

MN, MT, NE & WI Credit Union Registration 

Register Now! Early Bird Discount Rate Until June 15
$549
per person
Register Now!
Purchase

All Other States Registration 

Interested in Sponsoring the Conference?

More information about our sponsorship opportunities!

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