Chad Helminak brings two decades of leadership experience supporting purpose-driven organizations and leaders in the credit union industry. He has worked with notable organizations including the National Credit Union Foundation, TruStage, Filene Research Institute, and the Wisconsin Credit Union League. Chad facilitates experiential training for credit union leaders, leads boards and executive teams through strategic sessions, and drives growth in people, programs, and organizational capabilities.
Chad lives in Wisconsin with his family. Outside of work he enjoys playing guitar, running, basketball, and discovering new music from different cultures and eras.
Pixie Gray brings over a decade of experience in leadership development, coaching, design thinking, and process refinement. As an organizational development leader, she excels in process and experience design, executive coaching, employee engagement, cultural transformation, and organizational health. She has cultivated her talent for fostering engaged and thriving teams as a consultant and through various roles at University Federal Credit Union in Austin, TX.
Pixie is known for her expertise in guiding strategic processes that deliver tangible results and leading organizations through transformative growth and change. She is a skilled facilitator who systematically defines core principles, fosters communication, manages change, and engages the pillars of human innovation.
Throughout her career, Pixie has been passionate about cooperative movements, social responsibility, and connecting people with resources to resolve their greatest challenges.
She holds certifications in Leadership Circle Profile (LCP), From Bud to Boss Facilitation, and QA Analysis, and she is an Organizational Development Certified Professional (ODCP). Her technical knowledge includes countless project management tools, and various methodologies such as Design Thinking, Waterfall, and Agile.
Pixie is committed to continuous learning and professional growth, and she is dedicated to enhancing organizational outcomes and improving quality of life by enabling individuals to contribute to their organizations in increasingly effective ways.
Original Air Date: 06-26-2019
Speaker: Chris Jones, Executive Benefit Consultant, O. M. Financial Group
We review the issues that impact employee recruiting and retention from compensation, to culture, to benefits. We will also discuss ways to selectively provide benefits to your key employees that act as “Golden Handcuffs”.
MADISON, Wis.— Thirty-six emerging leaders with the potential to make a lasting impact in the credit union industry have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2024 CUES Emerge program, offered in partnership with Currency Marketing.
The cohort was selected from a competitive pool of 121 applicants. They hail from 15 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces and represent 25 distinct roles within the credit union industry.
Participants will receive tailored coaching, training, and invaluable resources to enhance their leadership acumen and strategic thinking abilities.
They will also benefit from participating in Mastermind groups, refining their ideas into compelling business cases, and competing to be named the 2024 CUES Emerging Leader. The Masterminds are an integral part of the CUES Emerge program; each will support six participants, helping them connect the learning to their business case and supporting them through the competition phase. They are:
All Masterminds are previous participants in the CUES Emerge program. Additionally, the group has three CUES Emerging Leaders; Hsu took home the honor in 2021, Churchill in 2022, and DelGado in 2023.
See the 2024 CUES Emerge cohort members here, then follow along on their journey at CUESemerge.com or #CUESEmerge.
Learn more about CUES at cues.org. Learn more about Currency Marketing at CurrencyMarketing.ca.
CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider for credit unions in North America. We educate, develop and support credit union CEOs, executives, directors, and emerging leaders through partnerships with premier business schools, live and online events, digital learning, networking, and premium content. With nearly 50,000 members and growing, we measure success one leader at a time.
Connect with CUES at CUES.org and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. For daily insights on issues impacting credit unions visit CUmanagement.com.
Currency is a credit union-focused marketing firm. Our unique programs—It’s a Money Thing and CUES Emerge—focus on helping credit unions raise awareness, build relationships and foster financial empowerment with young adults.
Connect with Currency at CurrencyMarketing.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
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MADISON, Wis.— CUES is pleased to announce two new leadership positions that will play a critical role as the organization expands products and services to equip its members with the skills, tools, knowledge, and relationships needed to thrive.
Chad Helminak has joined CUES as VP of Talent Development Programming. Helminak brings two decades of leadership experience supporting purpose-driven organizations and leaders in the credit union industry. He facilitates experiential training for credit union leaders, leads boards and executive teams through strategic sessions, and drives growth in people, programs, and organizational capabilities.
“As VP of Talent Development Programming, Chad will lead the charge in designing and delivering cutting-edge customized and in-house programs and products tailored to the evolving needs of credit unions.” said Heather McKissick, CUES CEO.
Pixie Gray will join CUES as VP of Organizational Development in May 2024. She brings over a decade of experience in leadership development, coaching, design thinking, and process refinement. Gray is known for merger and acquisition culture alignment and facilitating strategic processes that yield tangible results.
“Pixie will spearhead our efforts in internal and external organizational development, thought leadership, and organizational change, and will launch a new CUES consulting suite,” said McKissick.
“As a leadership and talent development organization, Chad and Pixie’s appointments underscore our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and providing unparalleled support to our members. We are thrilled to have them both,” said McKissick. “This investment in talent programming and organizational development sets CUES up for success and empowers our members to reach successful new heights.”
Learn more about CUES at cues.org.
CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider for credit unions in North America. We educate, develop and support credit union CEOs, executives, directors, and emerging leaders through partnerships with premier business schools, live and online events, digital learning, networking, and premium content. With nearly 50,000 members and growing, we measure success one leader at a time.
Connect with CUES at CUES.org and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. For daily insights on issues impacting credit unions visit CUmanagement.com.
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Note to Editor: Photos Attached
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| Chad Helminak, CUES VP of Talent Development Programming | Pixie Gray, CUES VP of Organizational Development |
MADISON, Wis.— Nominations and applications are now open for the 2024 CUES Awards & Recognition program.
“The CUES Awards are like a spotlight that shines brightly on the unsung heroes of the movement, those who are there to empower their communities through financial literacy, accessible financial services, and more. Let’s celebrate the incredible difference they make in people's lives every single day," said Dawn Abely, CUES’ SVP/Chief Sales & Member Relations Officer.
Nominate or apply for CUES Awards in the following categories:
"We encourage all credit union professionals to participate in this prestigious opportunity,” said Abely. “Be sure to nominate those who inspire excellence and embody the core values of the credit union movement—or throw your own hat into the ring by applying!"
Prizes vary by award, but all include money toward or a comped registration to a CUES event, a $500 cash donation to a charity of choice, and a trophy.
The application deadline is May 3. Applicants and nominators must be CUES members.
Learn more about all CUES awards at cues.org/Awards. Learn more about CUES at cues.org.
CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider for credit unions in North America. We educate, develop and support credit union CEOs, executives, directors, and emerging leaders through partnerships with premier business schools, live and online events, digital learning, networking, and premium content. With nearly 50,000 members and growing, we measure success one leader at a time.
Connect with CUES at CUES.org and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. For daily insights on issues impacting credit unions visit CUmanagement.com.
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