2026 CUYLM Conference
Rewired Leadership: Thriving Through Change and Connection
CUYLM’s 2026 Conference Rewired Leadership: Thriving Through Change and Connection will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026 and Friday, April 24, 2026 at the Clarion Inn & Suites in Brandon Manitoba.
The conference is designed exclusively for young leaders (age 40 and under) in the Manitoba Credit Union System.
We are very excited to explore the topic of Rewired Leadership with our guest speakers Sandra McDowell, Steve Fredlund, and Jay Kiew. On Thursday, we’ll hear from Sandra McDowell who brings vast experience in Leadership, Coaching, and Neuroleadership. Sandra brings a science-backed, actionable approach to “rewiring” leadership habits to thrive through change.
On Friday, we’ll hear from Steve Fredlund and Jay Kiew. Steve draws on 30+ years of experience to illuminate leadership in unpredictable settings. He brings a fresh, story-rich perspective on leading with steadiness, clarity, and courage when conditions are uncertain. Jay brings a combination of innovation, personal resilience, and experience managing large-scale change. With Jay, we’ll hear how credit unions can innovate quickly and meaningfully as technology evolves rapidly.
We will also hear from Paul Holden, President and CEO of Credit Union Central of Manitoba for a State of the Credit Union System address. Paul draws on his extensive leadership experience across Manitoba’s Credit Union sector, highlighting current trends, challenges, and opportunities for our future.
In addition to our interactive program, an exclusive networking event will take place on Thursday evening, starting at 7:00 PM.
Enhance your LinkedIn profile with professional headshots offered to registered attendees at no extra cost!
Lunch and snacks are included on both days; a late-night snack will be provided at the networking event, and breakfast is provided on Friday.
Your Experience
Rewired Leadership
This year’s theme explores what it means to lead with confidence, courage, and authenticity in a rapidly changing world. Whether you are new to leadership, looking to lead from any job title, or already guiding a team, this conference will help you embrace transformations and build meaningful, lasting connections.
By attending, you will learn what “rewired leadership” means in modern credit union environments, how to navigate change with confidence, how to strengthen relationships and influence form any role, and practical strategies to lead with purpose and clarity
Panel Discussion
Listen to active credit union employees in various stages of their leadership journeys. Hear their perspectives on how they’ve grown across their careers, how to establish yourself as a leader, and what makes a stand-out leader! .
Networking Opportunities
The conference will provide plenty of opportunities to network with fellow young leaders and make new connections, including a special event on Thursday evening.
Speakers / Facilitators
State of the Manitoba Credit Union System
Paul Holden
President & CEO, Credit Union Central of Manitoba
Social Networking in Real Life
Sandra McDowell
CEC, MA, CPLD, CPHR - CEO, eLeadership Academy
With over two decades of credit union executive experience and advanced certifications in Leadership, Coaching, Neuroleadership, and HR, Sandra is a trusted authority on the application of neuroscience for leadership.
As the CEO of eLeadership Academy, she helps credit unions build talent from within through online certificate and designation programs exclusively for credit union leaders.
Sandra is a long-time partner of CCUA and WOCCU, associate faculty for two universities, and the author of Your Mother Was Right: 15 Unexpected Lessons About Leadership and the Brain.
Earlier in her career, she received the CCUA National Young Leader Award and the World Council WYCUP Young Leader Award.
Keynote Speaker
Steve Fredlund
Humanitarian, Speaker & Author
Steve Fredlund is an award‑winning keynote speaker, two‑time TEDx presenter, and bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing. After more than 30 years as an actuary, executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder, including leading humanitarian efforts in East Africa, Steve gained a unique perspective on leadership in uncertain conditions.
Today, Steve helps leaders keep moving forward through change and uncertainty. Through engaging stories, humor, and practical tools drawn from African safaris, leadership research, and high-pressure decision environments, he equips audiences to build engagement, make confident decisions with limited information, and lead effectively when the path isn’t clear.
Reimagine: Building Member-Based Innovation in the Age of AI
Jay Kiew
Chief Innovation Officer, The Change Fluency Co.
Jay Kiew is an innovation and change‑fluency expert known for helping organizations navigate disruption with clarity and speed. A half‑blind cancer survivor, he brings a compelling personal story to his work on resilience and transformation. With more than 15 years of experience leading large‑scale change across healthcare, technology, and product growth, he has supported over 400 executives and contributed to more than $2B in organizational impact. His background includes leadership roles at Deloitte, TELUS, and ADP, and he now serves as Chief Innovation Officer at The Change Fluency Co. Kiew is also a Future50 and Top 40 Under 40 honoree and author of Change Fluency, which outlines principles for adapting to uncertainty and leveraging AI‑driven innovation.
Agenda
Day 1 – Thursday, April 23
11:00 – 12:00 PM - Headshots and Conference Registration
12:00 – 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 – 1:15 PM - CUYLM Executive Committee: Opening Remarks
1:15 – 1:30 PM - Networking Icebreaker
1:30 – 2:30 PM - Paul Holden, CEO, Credit Union Central of Manitoba: State of the Manitoba Credit Union System
2:30 – 2:50 PM - Networking Break
2:50 – 3:50 PM - Sandra McDowell : Social Networking in Real Life
4:45 – 5:00 PM - CUYLM Executive Committee: Closing Remarks
7:00 – 9:00 PM - Young Leader Networking Evening & Matt Falk Comedy Show
Day 2 – Friday, April 24
8:00 – 8:45 AM - Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 AM - Welcome Back, Introducing Jay Kiew
9:00 – 10:00 AM - Jay Kiew: Reimagine: Building Member-Based Innovation in the Age of AI
10:00 – 10:30 AM - Energizing Break (potential to have a local gym come and lead the group through stretch or other activity)
10:30 – 12:00 PM - Jay Kiew: Put it into Practice Workshop
12:00 – 12:45 PM - Lunch
12:45 – 1:15 PM - Manitoba Cooperative Association
1:15 – 2:15 PM - Leadership Panel
2:15 – 2:30 PM - Networking Break
2:30 – 3:30 PM - Steve Fredlund – Keynote Speaker
3:30 PM - CUYLM Executive Committee: Closing Remarks
Venue & Hotel:
Don't forget to book your hotel! Attendees are responsible for booking and paying for accommodations. Please mention that you are attending the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba Conference to receive a discount.
Clarion Hotel & Suites
www.clarionbrandon
3130 Victoria Ave., Brandon, MB R7B 3Y3
(204) 728-5775
Please mention that you are attending the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba Conference to receive the group rate.
Registration
Cost: $425 per attendee
Registration Deadline: Friday April 10, 2026
A CUCommunity account is required to access the registration link below. For help, please contact CUCM Communications.
Important Notes:
Payment: Your credit union's current account at CUCM will be debited for the conference fee.
Cancellations: can be accepted until Friday, April 10, 2026. After this date, substitutions only.
Hotel fees: are not included as part of the conference fee and are the responsibility of the attendee.
Questions & Support
For questions about the conference or support, please contact us.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
CUYLM Conference News:
“It was great to have the opportunity to speak with leaders within credit union system. Also, great to take away career tips from them, as I am growing in my career.”
“The entire conference was extremely well done. It was my first time attending a CUYLM event and I was very impressed with how well it was executed. I got a lot out of my time there. All around great time!”