The CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) is thrilled to welcome Amanda Whitson, Chief Lending Officer at Community First Credit Union, as a panelist for the upcoming 2026 conference in Oak Brook, Illinois.

With more than 25 years of executive experience in lending, retail operations, and organizational development, Amanda brings deep expertise and a proven record of impact. As a former Senior Vice President and current CLO, she has led multi-billion dollar credit unions through digital modernization, operational transformation, and strategic expansion. Among her many achievements, Amanda doubled a loan portfolio in five years and reduced lending errors from 56 percent to 6 percent, results that earned her the 2022 CUNA Excellence in Lending Award.

Amanda is known for building data-driven lending programs that accelerate growth while enhancing member experience. Her leadership spans consumer, mortgage, commercial, and collections operations, as well as HR and retail network management. She is also recognized for her people-first approach, her ability to inspire high-performing teams, and her commitment to creating simple, member-focused processes.

At CUGI 2026, Amanda will bring her expertise to the panel discussion “Scaling Loan Growth in a Risk-Averse Economy: What’s Working Now,” where she will join fellow lending and strategy leaders to explore how credit unions can expand lending portfolios while maintaining strong risk discipline. The session will highlight proven approaches such as targeted loan programs, smarter use of analytics, and member-focused strategies that are delivering measurable results in today’s cautious economic environment.

As credit unions navigate lending challenges and opportunities in 2026, Amanda’s perspective will provide attendees with practical, real-world insights that balance growth, governance, and member value.

We are excited to welcome Amanda Whitson to the CUGI 2026 stage on February 9–11, 2026, in Oak Brook, IL!

REGISTER TODAY to join us!