Agenda
All conference events will be held in person at the Ritz-Carlton on August 4-6.
All sessions are listed in the Central Time Zone.
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Who should attend? All Attendees
Join us for breakfast to fuel yourself for an energetic day of learning and networking!
- 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Keynote: Find A Way™: Innovation that Actually Moves the Needle
Who should attend? Leaders, Innovators, and Change-Makers
Innovation isn’t luck - it’s a discipline. In this energizing session, innovation expert Josh Linkner reveals a practical 5-step framework to help you tackle tough problems, spot opportunities others miss, and lead bold growth.
Is your team thinking big enough? Discover how to build a culture where agility, creativity, and calculated risk-taking aren’t just encouraged - they’re expected.
Josh Linkner
Serial Entrepreneur | NYT Best-Selling Author | Venture Capital Investor
- 9:50 AM – 10:20 AM
From Vision to Momentum: A Strategic Update from MDC Leadership
Who should attend? All Owners
Join MDC’s CEO and Board Chair for a candid look at where we’ve been and where we’re going. Get behind-the-scenes insight into the initiatives driving real change, the progress we’ve made together, and the bold moves ahead.
Are you aligning your strategy with the future we’re building? This is your chance to connect the dots between MDC’s big-picture vision and the decisions shaping your credit union’s next chapter.
James Nastars
CEO, Meritrust Credit Union
MDC Board Chair
Meritrust CU
Ned Tobey
CEO
MDC
- 10:20 AM – 10:50 AM
Networking Break
Who should attend? All Attendees
Take the opportunity now to go grab a snack or more caffeine. We’ll see you back after the break!
Sponsored by
- 10:50 AM – 1:15 PM
CEO Roundtable: Innovation at the Highest Level
Who should attend? CEO's
In this exclusive session for CEOs, Josh Linkner takes you deeper into the Find A Way™ framework - not as a concept, but as a leadership mindset. Through candid discussion and real-world application, explore how to turn uncertainty into advantage, align your team with bold vision, and lead innovation that lasts. Come ready to challenge assumptions, share openly, and leave with actionable strategies tailored for leaders at the top.
Josh Linkner
Serial Entrepreneur | NYT Best-Selling Author | Venture Capital Investor
- 10:50 AM – 11:25 AM
Breakout Session - Round 1
Inside the Strategy Room: A Paterson Process Showcase
Who should attend? Experience Champions, Innovation Leaders
Join us for an experiential session, led by Jason Baker, CEO of the Paterson Group, as he facilitates the innovative Paterson StratOp® process live to gather and leverage your owner feedback to identify and drive MDC owner value collaboratively. Attendees can provide valuable input on MDC, helping us shape our future strategies to serve owners best. Don't miss this opportunity to learn a unique approach in helping organizations thrive by focusing on what truly matters and accelerating towards results.
This session provides owners an opportunity to share their voice in the strategic direction and execution for MDC. Plus, owners can experientially learn and practice Paterson StratOp tools to apply to their credit union.
Jason Baker
CEO
Paterson Group
- 10:50 AM – 11:25 AM
Breakout Session - Round 1
Outpaced by Compliance? It's Time to Rethink Your Strategy
Who should attend? Strategic Stakeholders, Compliance Leaders
Regulations are multiplying. Expectations are rising. And yet, many credit unions are still relying on outdated, manual compliance processes that can’t keep up. This session introduces a scalable, AI-powered RegTech solution designed specifically for credit unions and helping you move from reactive to strategic. Are your compliance tools keeping pace with your growth? Discover how to meet rising regulatory demands with less friction and more confidence.
Kevin Green
Chief Marketing Officer
Hapax
- 10:50 AM – 11:25 AM
Breakout Session - Round 1
Where Do You Stand? FinTech Insights and the Future of Digital Strategy
Who should attend? Technology Strategists, Digital Enthusiasts
In a world of constant digital change, guessing isn’t a strategy. FinTech Insights gives credit unions a competitive edge through real-time UX analysis, data-driven benchmarking, and deep intel on what competitors are doing and where they’re headed. Do you know how your digital experience stacks up (and what it’s costing you)? Join this session to uncover the gaps, spot the opportunities, and make smarter tech decisions that truly move the needle for your members.
Nick Belesis
VP of Growth
Fintech Insights
- 11:25 AM – 11:40 AM
Express Break
Who should attend?
All Attendees
It's time to head to breakout #2! Grab a quick snack or beverage on your way!
Sponsored by
- 11:40 AM – 12:15 PM
Breakout Session - Round 2
Inside the Strategy Room: A Paterson Process Showcase
Who should attend? Experience Champions, Innovation Leaders
Join us for an experiential session, led by Jason Baker, CEO of the Paterson Group, as he facilitates the innovative Paterson StratOp® process live to gather and leverage your owner feedback to identify and drive MDC owner value collaboratively. Attendees can provide valuable input on MDC, helping us shape our future strategies to serve owners best. Don't miss this opportunity to learn a unique approach in helping organizations thrive by focusing on what truly matters and accelerating towards results.
This session provides owners an opportunity to share their voice in the strategic direction and execution for MDC. Plus, owners can experientially learn and practice Paterson StratOp tools to apply to their credit union.
Jason Baker
CEO
Paterson Group
- 11:40 AM – 12:15 PM
Breakout Session - Round 2
Outpaced by Compliance? It's Time to Rethink Your Strategy
Who should attend? Strategic Stakeholders, Compliance Leaders
Regulations are multiplying. Expectations are rising. And yet, many credit unions are still relying on outdated, manual compliance processes that can’t keep up. This session introduces a scalable, AI-powered RegTech solution designed specifically for credit unions and helping you move from reactive to strategic. Are your compliance tools keeping pace with your growth? Discover how to meet rising regulatory demands with less friction and more confidence.
Kevin Green
Chief Marketing Officer
Hapax
- 11:40 AM – 12:15 PM
Breakout Session - Round 2
Where Do You Stand? FinTech Insights and the Future of Digital Strategy
Who should attend? Technology Strategists, Digital Enthusiasts
In a world of constant digital change, guessing isn’t a strategy. FinTech Insights gives credit unions a competitive edge through real-time UX analysis, data-driven benchmarking, and deep intel on what competitors are doing and where they’re headed. Do you know how your digital experience stacks up (and what it’s costing you)? Join this session to uncover the gaps, spot the opportunities, and make smarter tech decisions that truly move the needle for your members.
Nick Belesis
VP of Growth
Fintech Insights
- 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch
Who should attend? All Attendees
Join the group for lunch and enjoy the enlightened conversations. We'll see you all back in the Ritz Carlton Ballroom at 1:15! Enjoy!
- 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Shape What's Next: Inside the MDC Accelerator
Who should attend? Bold, Curious, and Future Focused Leaders
Why wait for innovation to trickle down when you can help build it from the start? MDC’s Accelerator gives credit union leaders early access to vetted, pilot-ready fintech solutions and a powerful voice in how they’re shaped. With minimal time investment and maximum influence, this is your chance to guide emerging tech to serve your members, your systems, and your mission. Don’t just adopt innovation, drive it.
Ethan Cunningham
SVP of Strategy and Technology
MDC
Har Rai Khalsa
CEO
Swaystack
Anna Khalzova
Cofounder
Jupid
Miraj Patel
CEO
Harness
- 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Alternative Futures 2035: Rethinking What's Possible
Who should attend? Executives, Strategists, and Innovation Leaders
What does strategic foresight look like in a world transformed by crisis, conflict, and constant change? Alternative Futures 2035 builds on the impact of MDC’s 2030 scenarios with a bold new approach - dramatized future vignettes, fresh strategic prompts, and powerful tools designed to spark real conversation. Are you still planning for the future you expected or the one that's unfolding? Get a first look at the next evolution of foresight work and explore how you can use these scenarios to challenge assumptions, guide your team, and navigate what’s next with clarity.
Jake Dunagan
Director of Governance
IFTF
- 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
From Priorities to Projects: Help Shape What Comes Next
Who should attend? Owners, Decision Makers, and Strategic Stakeholders
The Strategic Execution Office (SEO) will unveil MDC’s refreshed strategic pillars; the foundation for where we’re heading next. You’ll also get a first look at four new project concepts, each built to address urgent needs and opportunities facing credit unions today.
Alex Johnson
Business Consultant
MDC
Michelle Mozzar
SVP, Strategic Execution Office
MDC
- 2:50 PM – 3:20 PM
Networking Break
Who should attend? All Attendees
Take a power walk, re-caffeinate, and we'll see you back after the break!
Sponsored by
- 3:20 PM – 3:30 PM
Voting on New Project Ideas
Who should attend? Owners, Decision Makers, and Strategic Stakeholders
As an owner, your input matters. Join the discussion, evaluate the possibilities, and cast your vote to help shape MDC’s next wave of innovation.
Alex Johnson
Business Consultant
MDC
Michelle Mozzar
SVP, Strategic Execution Office
MDC
- 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Innovation Driving Growth, The MSUFCU & Nymbus Story
Who should attend? Transformative Leaders, Growth Executives, and Strategists
Join MSUFCU President/CEO April Clobes and Nymbus CEO Jeffery Kendall as they share the story of an outcomes driven partnership between one of the nation's most innovative credit unions and a cutting edge fintech provider. Discover how Michigan State University Federal Credit Union leveraged Nymbus’ platform to launch new brands, expand member reach, and drive significant growth in both deposits and lending. This session offers valuable insights into how strategic collaboration can accelerate transformation and deliver measurable results for your Credit Union.
April Clobes
CEO + MDC Board Member
MSUFCU
Jeffrey Kendall
CEO
Nymbus
- 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
AI Studio: Be First. Be Bold.
Who should attend? Visionary Executives, Innovation Leaders
Get an inside look at AI Studio, MDC’s newest venture built to fast-track meaningful AI adoption across the credit union movement. This session offers an exclusive preview of our vision, progress, and what's next on the roadmap. Will your credit union lead the AI shift or play catch-up? Explore how you can get involved early as a founding customer or investor and help shape the future of AI in financial services.
Ethan Cunningham
SVP of Strategy and Technology
MDC
Chris Weidemann
Chief Technology Officer
Advisor Labs
Bryan Link
CFO, MDC
Interim GM, AI Studio
- 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Key Takeaways
Who should attend? All Attendees
Wrap up the day with a review of key insights, big ideas, and standout moments.
Colleen Murray Peyton
Senior Facilitator, Futurethink
Owner Meeting Emcee
Futurethink
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Networking & Cocktails Reception
Who should attend? All Attendees
Wrap up the day with great conversation and even better company. Join fellow attendees for drinks and relaxed networking as we wind down and reflect on the day’s insights. Meet new people and turn connections into collaboration. Tonight is your chance to explore the city or head out to dinner with your team or new friends!
Sponsored by
