Employees Conference

As a part of the Carolinas credit union movement for over 43 years, Nick believes in the great power of credit unions working cooperatively.  In 2023 he became a credit union advisor offering education, strategic planning, management consulting and executive coaching to credit unions. His assistance specifically focuses on small credit unions and their unique challenges, and he offers his time and talents at no cost.

Nick previously served as the President & CEO of the Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union of Columbia, South Carolina, a role he held for over 28 years. During that time, Palmetto Citizens grew to a $1.35 billion credit union serving over 100,000 consumers. Prior to joining the credit union, Nick served as Vice President of League Operations for the South Carolina Credit Union League.

With the CUsTogether Conference, his goal is to promote education, leadership development and networking within credit unions.  He hopes to provide a venue to encourage professional growth and cooperation for credit unions across the Carolinas.  Nick is proud to recognize registration fees exceeding direct costs are donated to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, with participating credit unions and program leaders recognized as the contributors.  Since 2019, over $113,000 has been donated to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to fund its program offerings and to further its mission.
​
In 2020 Nick became a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). The National Credit Union Foundation’s signature CUDE program helps established and emerging leaders in the credit union movement understand and leverage our unique business model to serve members and our communities in new and better ways.  Development Education is a process dedicated to understanding fundamental barriers that prevent the prosperity of people and communities across the globe.

Since the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s founding in 1993, only a handful of individuals have served at the helm of leading this philanthropic organization. In late 2015, Lauren Whaley was hired to serve as the President of the Carolinas Foundation having most recently served as Vice President of Governmental Affairs in Raleigh, NC at the Carolinas Credit Union League. In her nearly eight years at the League, Lauren developed influential relationships with lawmakers and credit union officials while advocating for credit union business concerns as well as their unique focus on people and communities. Lauren was also instrumental in the growth of CUaware having served as a founding Board member while at the League. Lauren’s passion for the credit union industry started shortly after graduation from NC State University when she served as public relations and marketing coordinator for Truliant Federal Credit Union of Winston-Salem.

In her current role at the Carolinas Foundation, Lauren has expanded its focus in serving as a philanthropic partner to credit unions, business partners and Chapters in the Carolinas. Lauren most recently served as the Chair of the State Credit Union Foundation Network, comprised of her counterparts around the country at other state foundations as well as those at the National Credit Union Foundation and the Worldwide Credit Union Foundation. Lauren was appointed to the National Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors in 2025. Lauren earned her Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation in 2019 and was recognized in 2023 with the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues.

Maurice Smith is the retired CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union and Civic FCU. Both are financial cooperatives serving the financial needs of employees, appointed officials, elected officeholders and volunteers of local governments in North Carolina.

Smith began his career in financial services as a loan officer for State Employees’ Credit Union. Smith served in several capacities including vice-president/city executive and vice-president of marketing/training. Smith joined LGFCU in 1992 as the Executive Vice-President and was promoted to President in 1999 and later CEO. Civic was chartered in 2017.

Smith received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and earned a Juris Doctorate from the NC Central University School of Law. Smith is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, the District of Columbia and before the United States Supreme Court. Smith is also a North Carolina Certified Superior Court Mediator.

Smith achieved a NC Real Estate Brokers License, Certified Credit Union Executive Designation and attended several management and marketing schools.

Smith and his wife have two children and live in Cary, North Carolina. He is a Deacon at Wake Chapel Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and participates in several community and civic activities.

Smith is a self-proclaimed cooperative nerd. He believes that a business model that empowers its members to engage in democratic, self-help, classless principles is superior to other business types. As a fan of credit union ideals, Smith is avid about his beliefs.

Betty Parker is a business owner, professional speaker, author, and trainer. She is a communications expert with more than 30 years’ experience presenting to audiences including work in radio after earning a degree in broadcast journalism from Louisiana State University (LSU), and in 2021, a masters in organizational development from Columbia College. Betty began her career as a sales professional and trainer in 1998 in the biotech industry. She started Sharper Development Solutions, Inc., a training and development company, in 2006.

Betty has educated thousands of leaders and staff across the country in a variety of performance areas like leadership, self-awareness, conflict management, teamwork, strategic planning, employee engagement, customer service, communications, diversity, equity, and inclusion and others. She is a highly sought out speaker for conferences. Betty is the author of Crushing Goliath: Winning Practices in Slaying GIANT People Problems (2021). She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Certified Professional Coach. She is also an Authorized Partner with Wiley Publishing, the makers of Everything DiSC products.

As an award-winning Talent Retention Consultant, bestselling author, and sales strategist, I guide driving leaders to create strategic business plans, improve sales, and retain top talent without adding expensive benefit programs or internal systems.

Recognized as the Talent Retention Expert of the year by the International Association of Top Professionals, named a Brainz Global 500 Top Entrepreneur, selected as a top business leader by Valiant CEO magazine and featured on The Today Show, and ABC, Dr. Troy has dedicated his career to establishing a cycle of culture wellness in the corporate and professional sphere.

Jeff Hardin joined the Foundation’s team in 2021 in the newly-created role of Director of Collaborative Programs. In his role, Hardin assists Foundation President/CEO Lauren Whaley on key programs, including the organization’s robust scholarship and fund management programs, as well as grants offerings for chapters, non-profits, small credit unions and credit union employees for disaster relief.

Jeff joined the Foundation after more than 17 years on the Carolinas Credit Union League’s team. First hired by the NC Credit Union League in 2004 as its communications specialist, Jeff was later promoted to director of communications. He served in this role until the consolidation of the North and South Carolina Credit Union Leagues, when he assumed his most recent role as the Director of Cooperative Initiatives. A Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) since 2009, Hardin worked with a group of fellow CUDEs in the Carolinas to create the Principles & Philosophy Conference, a two-day event focused on the history and cooperative philosophy of credit unions.

Currently – Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, CDC Federal Credit Union in Atlanta, Georgia with over $450M in assets and approximately 22,000 members. He oversees the investment portfolio, accounting, operations, lending, branches, marketing, IT, and the member contact center. 

Previously — Tim was a Sales Executive at Trustage that covered Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

During his time at Trustage, he was also the General Manager for Sales and Distribution in the European Segment of Trustage’s International Division.  Tim lead the sales account teams in Europe, managed the Financial Services Programs, as well as third party relationships while based in Dublin, Ireland.

Tim attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree in Finance, Upper Iowa University for a bachelor’s in accounting, has received an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago, and his Masters of Accountancy from the University of Michigan.

CDC Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and provides financial services to its members.

CUNA Mutual Group is headquartered at the Credit Union Center in Madison, Wisconsin, and provides insurance and financial services to credit unions and their members.

Ashley McDaniel is an Operations and Communications Specialist at REV Federal Credit Union in Summerville, South Carolina and the 2026 Carolinas Credit Union League Protégé Competition Winner. Her career spans frontline financial services, business development, operations, and strategic communications. Giving her a well-rounded perspective on how credit unions grow, evolve, and lead.

Throughout her career, Ashley has consistently stepped into roles that expand her influence, from serving members directly to shaping communication strategy, improving operational processes, and driving cross-functional initiatives. Her Protégé-winning presentation challenged credit unions to think boldly about engaging the next generation, reinforcing her belief that leadership requires both strategic foresight and execution.

Ashley is passionate about developing strong internal cultures, elevating emerging leaders, and helping credit unions position themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Christina began her career with SECU in 2014 as a teller. Over the years, she intentionally worked her way up, serving as a Mortgage Loan Specialist before transitioning to Lending Development as a Sr. Lending Resources Specialist in August 2025. While she does not currently hold a formal leadership title, Christina is deeply committed to continuous learning, growth, and preparing herself to step into future leadership opportunities. She believes leadership is less about position and more about influence, accountability, and the impact you make on those around you.

A graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Christina carries a passion for teaching and developing others into every role she holds. She earned her Executive MBA from UNC-Wilmington in August 2025, strengthening her strategic perspective and commitment to ongoing development. That commitment included participating in SECU’s internal CUxEL Protégé Competition, where she was the 2025 Tar Heel Chapter winner. This experience increased her confidence as an emerging leader and deepened her passion for shaping the future of the credit union movement. 

Outside of the credit union, Christina finds joy in the simple things: reading a good book, hiking, kayaking, traveling, and spending quality time with her fiancé. She’s also a proud pet mom to three dogs (Zeke, LuLu and Hazel) and one cat (Goblin), who keep life both busy and entertaining. Whether professionally or personally, Christina is passionate about building strong relationships, embracing growth, and championing the future of the credit union movement. 

Fun Fact: She started with SECU in the same branch where she opened her first account at just 9 years old.

Kaci Thornton serves as a Market Executive for Founders Federal Credit Union, where she oversees operations and performance for the Clinton, Laurens, Newberry, and Simpsonville offices. With more than 14 years of experience at Founders, Kaci brings a deep understanding of the organization and a strong commitment to member service.

Throughout her tenure, she has progressed through a variety of roles—including Teller, Member Service Teller, Financial Service Representative, and Branch Manager—gaining comprehensive knowledge of branch operations and member needs at every level.

Founders Federal Credit Union manages over $5 billion in assets and serves more than 286,000 members across 48 locations in South and North Carolina. Kaci’s leadership plays a key role in advancing the credit union’s mission of delivering exceptional financial services and strengthening the communities it serves.

E.J. McDuffie serves as a Business Development Officer with Skyla Credit Union, where he builds strategic partnerships that strengthen communities and improve employee financial well-being. With more than 14 years of experience spanning higher education, corporate training, and community development, E.J. specializes in relationship building, leadership development, and strategic outreach.

A proud two-time graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, he brings energy, authenticity, and vision to every space he enters. Known for his engaging communication style and people-first approach, E.J. is passionate about empowering individuals, and helping organizations grow with purpose and impact.