Each year, the Catalyst Strategic Summit brings together thought leaders, industry experts and credit union professionals to explore the trends shaping the future of financial services. This year’s Summit will feature keynote speakers Kevin O’Leary from ABC’s Shark Tank, Jon Dorenbos from America’s Got Talent, Jim Marous from The Financial Brand and Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Block. Taking the stage alongside this innovation experts and industry luminaries, Catalyst’s own experts will provide valuable insights into strategy, innovation, liquidity and payments. 

With many decades of collective experience, the Catalyst team is uniquely suited to help credit unions navigate uncertainty and position themselves for long-term growth. By having this team on-site not only for presentations but for the entire Summit experience, attendees gain direct and immediate contact with the people behind Catalyst’s solutions and have the opportunity for in-depth conversations.

Chat with our C-Suite Executives

Kicking off Summit, our President and CEO, Bruce Fox, will moderate a coffee chat with senior Catalyst leaders Diana Hennel, Chief Technology Officer; Mike McGinnis, Chief Investment officer; and Brad Ganey, Chief Operations Officer. The team will get real about financial foresight and the evolving needs of member credit unions while highlighting how Catalyst continues to deliver responsive, tailored support while adapting to broader shifts in technology, regulation and member experience.

Forecast with Catalyst’s financial leaders

Summit favorite Steven Houle, Catalyst’s Vice President of Asset Management/Compliance Officer, will provide a focused look at the economic landscape ahead. Houle’s session will explore inflation trends, interest rate expectations and how credit unions can manage balance sheet risk through tools like derivatives and investment strategies. Attendees can expect real-world applications and takeaways to apply back at their credit unions.

Managing Principal Mark DeBree, Manager of Brokerage Service Jonathan Jackson and others from the Asset Management team will be on hand for breakouts that explore the quickly changing environment credit unions face today. Topics will include interest rate management, balance sheet advisory, investment insights and the competitive environment facing credit unions. 

DeBree brings extensive experience advising credit unions on balance sheet structure and strategies with a deep understanding of risk mitigation. Jonathan Jackson delivers practical investment insights with an emphasis on helping credit unions navigate today’s volatile markets.

Prepare for the future with payments

Instant payments, the FedNow^® Service and P2P innovation will be on the agenda with dedicated breakouts and general session topics. Glenn Wheeler, Vice President of Payment Products & Innovations, and Justin Lutes of Correspondent Services will welcome colleagues and industry experts as they provide an update on what innovations are coming to payments, the expanding use case for instant payments and much more. Their sessions will cover use cases, operational readiness and fraud mitigation strategies to help credit unions integrate the FedNow Service, P2P and digital innovation into their payment roadmap. 

Invest in networking with our experts

Beyond the general and breakout sessions, Summit offers ample opportunity to connect with Catalyst speakers and staff during networking breaks and evening events. Attendees are encouraged to engage with these leaders one-on-one, ask follow-up questions from the sessions and explore how Catalyst can support their credit union’s specific goals. Whether it’s discussing liquidity planning, investment options, technology adoption or payments strategy, Catalyst leaders are ready to help attendees find solutions tailored to their unique challenges.

Strategic Summit is more than a learning opportunity. It is a chance to build lasting relationships with Catalyst’s senior team and your peers across the credit union industry. Attendees will leave not only with new ideas, but also with new connections that can support their success well into the future.

Register today to claim your discounted - $995 - registration, open through August 29. For the full speaker lineup, session descriptions and venue information, visit Catalyst Strategic Summit 2025.