Congratulations to Connecticut’s Newest DE—Robyn Swanson, Ellafi FCU
Published on June 25, 2026
At Credit Unions Building Financial Independence (CUBFI), the charitable foundation of Connecticut’s Credit Unions, we maximize the impact of your donations by investing in the people who strengthen and advance the credit union movement. One way we do this is by supporting leadership development through the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education (DE) Program. Each year, CUBFI provides scholarships for three individuals to attend this transformative training. Earlier this month, Robyn Swanson, President and CEO of Ellafi Federal Credit Union, participated in DE training as a CUBFI scholarship recipient.
Here’s Robyn’s reflection in her words—
“After nearly three decades in the credit union movement, attending DE training was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. In fact, it is something I wish I had done years ago.
Early in my career, several mentors (specifically Kathy Chartier & Joanne Todd) encouraged me to attend DE training. Like many of us, I always had a reason to put it off. There was work to do, family commitments, leadership responsibilities, and somehow DE kept moving to the bottom of the list. Looking back now, I realize what I was missing. The experience was personally and professionally transformative in ways that are difficult to fully explain until you've lived it.
The curriculum, speakers, and materials were exceptional, but my biggest takeaway wasn't found in a workbook or classroom exercise. It was the people. We arrived in Madison as strangers from different credit unions, different states, and different backgrounds. We left as friends, connected by a shared commitment to the cooperative principles and the belief that credit unions can be a force for good in the lives of the people and communities we serve.
One of the concepts that resonated most with me was the idea of "leaving your title at the door." Whether you were a CEO, a teller, a lender, or a volunteer, every voice carried equal weight. That created some of the most authentic, challenging, and rewarding conversations I've experienced in my career. It reminded me that leadership isn't about a title. It's about listening, learning, and being willing to see the world through someone else's perspective. And, it was fun to guess what everyone’s roles were at their respective credit unions.
During the week, we discussed some of the credit union movement's greatest champions. I found myself thinking about Connecticut's own Kathy Chartier, a devoted DE whose influence has touched so many of us personally and professionally. Being able to share her story with classmates from across the country was a proud moment, a reminder of the impact one person can have on our movement and the perfect way to honor Kathy.
While disappointed that I didn’t become a DE earlier, the timing of DE made sense for me. As Ellafi continues its evolution toward a more mission-driven future, the experience reinforced why credit unions exist and challenged me to think differently about how we address the issues holding our neighbors and communities back. The lessons learned will help shape not only what we do, but how we think about serving our members and community every day.
And finally, I have to address something I heard repeatedly before attending DE. At this year's GAC, DE graduates kept talking about how their class was the "Best Class Ever." I'll admit, I rolled my eyes more than once. Now that I've been through the experience, I get it. Every DE class believes they are the best class ever because of the bonds that are formed and the shared experience that changes you. That said, let's be clear: the June 2026 class is, in fact, the Best Class Ever.
For my Connecticut colleagues who have considered DE but continue to let life get in the way, my advice is simple: make it a priority. You'll be glad you did.”
~Dave
David Hinchey, CUDE, CCUFC (he/him/his)
VP of Community and Social Impact
Connecticut’s Credit Unions
The Foundation for Connecticut’s Credit Unions
