Five Rising Credit Union Leaders Named Finalists In 2026 CUES Emerge Competition
By CU Today Staff —
MADISON, Wis.—CUES and partner Currency Marketing have named the five finalists who will compete for the title of 2026 CUES Emerging Leader.
The finalists advanced through CUES Emerge, a leadership-development program aimed at helping rising credit union professionals strengthen their skills and gain greater industry visibility. The program combines live and online education, peer collaboration and mentorship, with participants developing business cases around ideas designed to benefit their credit unions and communities.
Following the education phase, participants could enter the competition by submitting their business cases for review by a panel of credit union industry judges, which selected the Final Five who are invited to present their ideas during a live online Pitch Show:
“The 2026 CUES Emerge finalists represent the next generation of credit union leadership,” said Maegan Monson, CUES event manager. “Their business cases reflect the creativity, strategic thinking, and commitment needed to address real challenges facing credit unions today, and we look forward to seeing them bring those ideas to life during the Pitch Show.”
“CUES Emerge continues to build on a strong foundation of leadership development, peer connection, and practical innovation,” said Tim McAlpine, CEO, Currency Marketing. “The Final Five have already demonstrated the discipline and vision this program is designed to encourage, and the live pitch experience gives them a powerful platform to share solutions with the industry.”
Business cases will be presented during the CUES Emerge Live Pitch Show on October 7 at 2 p.m. EDT; 1 p.m. CDT; 12 p.m. MDT; and 11 a.m. PDT, with the Final Five participating remotely. Watch the livestream and follow the competition at CUESEmerge.com.
Following the Pitch Show, judges will identify the Top Three before naming the ultimate 2026 CUES Emerging Leader. Each of the Top Three will receive a tiered educational package and scholarships toward CUES Advanced Management Program from Cornell University, to support continued development and growth within the industry.
CUES Emerge was launched in 2020 and built on the success of CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec, a program created through CUES and Currency Marketing’s long-standing partnership. Participants who successfully complete the online courses, Mastermind sessions, and a business case earn the Certified Credit Union Manager designation in recognition of their commitment to their careers, credit unions, and the movement.
Keep up with the final stages of the competition and learn more about the 2026 cohort at CUESEmerge.com or search #CUESEmerge.
Originally reported by CU Today.