Ignite Leadership: What Does a Guy Named Ed, Long Drives in Thunderstorms, and Kids These Days Have to Do With You, Credit Unions & Your Job?

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 10, 2026
DURATION: 60 MINUTES

This event was presented to a live audience on August 5, 2026

Credit unions are obsolete? All anyone wants is fintechs and apps? The future belongs to the big banks? Wrong! Wrong! And are you serious?, says veteran credit union journalist Frank J. Diekmann. In this fast-moving, challenging and entertaining presentation for all credit union employees, Mr. Diekmann explains where credit unions came from, where they are and why they are more relevant than ever to the future for consumers—IF they understand how to connect with members and communities. And that begins with the foundation necessary for any successful enterprise—their own employees, the most important brand ambassadors of all.

In this presentation Frank draws on real-life credit union examples ranging from innovative ideas, unique communications, historical lessons, videos and more to recharge CU employees about this rare enterprise they are a part of.

The Ignite Leadership Series is a six-part series featuring high-impact topics and expert speakers designed specifically for anyone who wants to elevate their leadership game—whether you’re a frontline manager or a CEO. This series is brought to you by the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and Utah Credit Union Association alliance.

MEET THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

Frank J. Diekmann the publisher of The Cu Daily (www.thecudaily.com) and the CU Board Brief. He is the former Cooperator-in-Chief and co-founder of CUToday.info, a digital news and collaboration platform. Prior to founding CUToday.info, Mr. Diekmann founded Credit Union Journal, and prior to that co-founded Credit Union Times. Before covering credit unions, Mr. Diekmann covered the nation’s banking industry. He began his editorial career working as a sports reporter with the Cincinnati Post before making the natural segue into credit unions. Mr. Diekmann is a frequent speaker, having addressed CU meetings from Sydney to Prague and all of the U.S. He regularly serves as a judge in various organizations’ marketing and awards competitions. He is the only journalist to graduate from the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education program and is now certified as an International Credit Union Development Educator. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Diekmann is also the author of four books: Cathode Ray’s, The Bawl Game, The Flip Flop and 501 Name Tags: How Everything You Need to Know About Business Can Be Learned in the Trade Show.