The CUsTogether Employees Conference is designed for credit unions employees in North and South Carolina – from front-line and department staff to supervisors and managers.
This program is participant friendly and is intended to reward our hard-working credit union staff members, which we all know are the people with a passion for the credit union movement and who want to elevate their performance to better assist their organizations.
With the sole intent to create an opportunity to benefit staff members of credit unions, any registration fees exceeding costs will be donated to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation in the name of participating credit unions, speakers and supporters.
The Program Leader for CUsTogether, Nick Wodogaza, has volunteered his time to plan and execute the conference since it began in 2019. Since that time, over $103,000 has been donated to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to fund its program offerings and to further its mission.
Time | Event Title |
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1:00 – 5:00pm | *Optional – Registration Required* CAN Poverty Simulation Workshop The CAN Poverty Simulation allows participants to navigate a series of four 15-minute “workweeks” as they try to hold down a job, pay their bills and take care of the people they care about. The Poverty Simulation reflects the lived experience of millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet and offers credit union professionals an opportunity to develop empathy, awareness, and a sense of community responsibility. This powerful simulation is facilitated by Jeff Hardin of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and assisted by credit union volunteers. |
4:00 – 5:30pm | Conference Registration |
5:30 – 7:00pm | Optional Networking/Hospitality |
*Optional – Registration Required*
CAN Poverty Simulation Workshop
The CAN Poverty Simulation allows participants to navigate a series of four 15-minute “workweeks” as they try to hold down a job, pay their bills and take care of the people they care about. The Poverty Simulation reflects the lived experience of millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet and offers credit union professionals an opportunity to develop empathy, awareness, and a sense of community responsibility. This powerful simulation is facilitated by Jeff Hardin of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and assisted by credit union volunteers.
Conference Registration
Optional Networking/Hospitality
Time | Event Title | Presenter |
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8:30 – 9:00am | Conference Registration | |
9:00 – 9:10am | Welcome & Announcements | Nick Wodogaza, CUDE, Program Leader |
9:10 – 10:15am | It’s Hard, but It’s True
Learn to value every step of your journey, discover how small things have a big impact, and be encouraged to dream big. | Linda Weatherford, CUDE
|
10:15 – 10:30am | Refreshment Break / Networking Opportunity | |
10:30 – 11:50am | Cooperatives: Building a Better World Through Credit Unions
2025 marks the International Year of Cooperatives, celebrating the profound impact of cooperative financial institutions and the millions of cooperatives worldwide. This session delves into the inspiring history and transformative journey of credit unions, highlighting the vision and passion of early US and global leaders. Discover how credit unions continue to embody a solution-driven mindset, address modern challenges, and empower communities worldwide. | Lauren Whaley, CUDE and Jeff Hardin, CUDE |
11:50am – 12:40pm | Networking Lunch (For Conference Participants Only) | |
12:40 – 2:00pm | Five Important Gauges for a Credit Union To best serve our members, we must operate in an efficient and financially responsible manner. Learn which financial measures are most vital to a credit union’s success. | Tim Gardner |
2:00 – 5:30pm | FREE TIME | |
5:30 – 7:00pm | Optional Networking / Hospitality |
Conference Registration
Welcome & Announcements
Presenter: Nick Wodogaza, Program Leader
It’s Hard, but It’s True
Presenter: Linda Weatherford, CUDE
Description: Learn to value every step of your journey, discover how small things have a big impact, and be encouraged to dream big.
Refreshment Break / Networking Opportunity
Cooperatives: Building a Better World Through Credit Unions
Presenter: Lauren Whaley and Jeff Hardin
Description: 2025 marks the International Year of Cooperatives, celebrating the profound impact of cooperative financial institutions and the millions of cooperatives worldwide. This session delves into the inspiring history and transformative journey of credit unions, highlighting the vision and passion of early US and global leaders. Discover how credit unions continue to embody a solution-driven mindset, address modern challenges, and empower communities worldwide.
Networking Lunch (For Conference Participants Only)
Five Important Gauges for a Credit Union
Presenter: Tim Gardner
Description: To best serve our members, we must operate in an efficient and financially responsible manner. Learn which financial measures are most vital to a credit union’s success.
FREE TIME
Optional Networking/Hospitality
Time | Event Title | Presenter |
---|---|---|
9:00 – 10:20am | Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion Young credit union professionals from North and South Carolina will discuss their experience in the credit union industry and the interests of young professionals at their credit unions and in their communities. | |
10:20 – 10:35am | Refreshment Break / Networking Opportunity | |
10:35 – 11:45am | A Look Inside: 3 Ways to Increase Self-Awareness on Teams Your impact on any team is determined by performance, communications, and self-awareness. How effective are you as a team member? In this session, three methods will be shared that will challenge you to “look inside” yourself and become dynamically self-aware. | Betty Parker |
11:45 – 12:00pm | Refreshment Break / Networking Opportunity | |
12:00 – 1:00pm | Leadership Lessons Maurice Smith will share his observations about leadership failure. Essentially, he will identify some of the reasons why individuals and companies fail to be successful. This presentation will explain how we can succeed in our careers and credit unions. | Maurice Smith |
Evaluations and Closing Remarks |
Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion
Moderator: Dustin Haynes
Description: Young credit union professionals from North and South Carolina will discuss their experience in the credit union industry and the interests of young professionals at their credit unions and in their communities.
Refreshment Break/Networking Opportunity
A Look Inside: 3 Ways to Increase Self-Awareness on Teams.
Presenter: Betty Parker
Description: Your impact on any team is determined by performance, communications, and self-awareness. How effective are you as a team member? In this session, three methods will be shared that will challenge you to “look inside” yourself and become dynamically self-aware. accountable in attaining the mission daily.
Refreshment Break/Networking Opportunity
Leadership Lessons
Presenter: Maurice Smith
Description: Smith will share his observations about leadership failure. Essentially, he will identify some of the reasons why individuals and companies fail to be successful. This presentation will explain how we can succeed in our careers and credit unions.
Evaluations and Closing Remarks
Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach‐Oceanfront Resort is located on the peaceful North End of Myrtle Beach. This gated all‐suite waterfront area welcomes you with panoramic Atlantic Ocean views and personalized service. From the 255 two‐room suites, to a complimentary* breakfast each morning, you can expect more at the Embassy Suites.
Complimentary Services for Embassy Suites guests* - Full Breakfast Buffet and Manager’s Reception held in the Embassy Suites.
Beginning at $207 per night, Standard Suite plus taxes and a $27 daily resort fee and a $7 daily self-parking fee.
The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation is honored to be the recipient of the CUsTogether Conference proceeds. Since the conferences started in 2019, more than $103,000 has been donated to support the Foundation’s impact. The Foundation is offering a scholarship with a goal to support an emerging leader. Stronger consideration will be given to those unable to attend because of budgetary concerns. For any questions on the scholarship, please reach out to Lauren Whaley at lwhaley@carolinasfoundation.org.
Registration for the 2025 CUsTogether Conference is now closed.
If you RSVP’d, we’ll see you at the event; if you missed out, we hope to see you next year!
Check back here for the latest updates.
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 $103,000 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.
Linda Weatherford is President/CEO of SPC Credit Union in Hartsville, SC. With over 35 years of credit union experience, she is a passionate advocate for leadership development and bringing financial wellness to local communities through service, a champion for “people helping people.”
Linda is an active community volunteer, currently serving as President of the Hartsville Rotary Club, McLeod Cancer Center HOPE Advisory Board, Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Board, One Child at a Time Board, Center Theater of Hartsville Commission, and is a member of the SPC Cares Foundation, which supports local communities through non-profit community donations, member relief, first-time homebuyers down payment assistance, and education. She has also served on the Carolinas Credit Union League Board, Pee Dee Harvest Hope Food Bank Advisory Board and the Byerly Foundation Board.
Linda is equally passionate about her family, husband Mike, and her children, Robbie (son) & Grace, Jordan Gray (son) & Mary Ashlee, and her beautiful granddaughters, Addison Grace, Murphy Anne, and Daylee Gray!
A person who is rooted in her faith and belief in Jesus Christ, her favorite pastimes are reading, writing, long weekend camping trips, and snuggles with her fur baby, Nash! Her first published book, “The Best Dogs Live Forever” was released in 2023 and proceeds support the Darlington County Humane Society. She released her second book in the series, “The Best Dogs Wear Pink” in October 2024 and proceeds benefit the HOPE Fund at the McLeod Cancer Center. She and Mike attend One Church Hartsville, where she leads women’s bible study.
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.