Evolve 2026 Conference speakers
Meet the leaders and visionaries who will be sharing their insights at this year’s EVOLVE conference:
Debbie Peterson
Leadership Readiness Expert, Debbie Peterson Speaks
Bradenton, Florida
The Readiness Reset: A Leadership Reset That Sticks
When leaders feel stuck, stalled, or scattered, The Readiness Reset™ gets them back in action. This isn’t about doing more—it’s about reconnecting to what matters, recommitting to how you lead, and taking action that creates real momentum. Debbie Peterson delivers an experience designed to be more than inspiring—it’s activating. Leaders will leave with renewed energy, sharper focus, and a clear next move they are ready to take.
Mike Montague
Founder, Avenue9
Boston, Massachusetts
This Changes Everything: AI Strategy and Readiness for Executives
Human-First AI Marketing strategist, Mike Montague will help you cut through the hype and uncover the real risks and opportunities of AI. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or cautiously curious, you’ll walk away with a smarter, more human-centered approach to AI adoption. Mike will unpack five strategic ways leaders can leverage AI to help organizations align automation with authenticity. This keynote demystifies key applications of AI and gives executives a clear path to future-proof your organization and achieve immediate ROI.
Tamara Ghandour
CPO, DSST Charter Schools
Denver, Colorado
Moving at the Speed of Innovation: Amplify Human Capital for Business Breakthroughs
Tamara will take you on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and transformation that will unlock your greatest competitive advantage as a leader, a team, and an organization – human ingenuity. In this high-energy session, Tamara will help you remove the shackles of self-doubt and embrace a path of innovation and achievement that will create measurable outcomes.
Cliff Seal
UX Architect, Salesforce
Denver, Colorado
Designing Meaningful Customer Experiences in Retail Banking
Cliff Seal brings his expertise in customer experience and design thinking to help retail financial institutions reimagine the way they serve their communities. This engaging session explores practical strategies for building trust, loyalty, and stronger relationships through intentional design. Attendees will leave with fresh ideas they can apply immediately in their own organizations to elevate member and customer experiences.
Chris DuBois
Agency Strategy Coach, The Dynamic Agency
New Gloucester, Maine
The Power of Positioning
In this session, we’ll explore how banks and credit unions can sharpen their positioning—leveraging customer insights, competitive analysis, and narrative to stand out in a crowded financial landscape. Attendees will walk away with a clear framework for crafting a differentiated value proposition that drives growth and loyalty.
Bill Bloom
President, Bloom Financial
Chicago, Illinois
The One Question that Will Make All the Difference in the World
Here to share how banks can use modern financial coaching and technology to increase trust, retention, and lifetime customer value. Come listen to how you can dramatically improve your life, along with every other person you will help in your banking environment.
Tamara Scott
VP of Retail Delivery, Premier America Credit Union
Los Angeles, California
EVOLVE: Leading Change in a Changing World
In this energizing keynote, Tamara reveals the leadership rhythm that keeps teams steady and successful in an era of nonstop change. Drawing from 20+ years of front line and multi-state retail leadership, Tamara introduces a simple, repeatable cadence for decision-making, communication, and accountability that restores focus. Even when priorities are shifting. Unlike traditional coaching models, her approach helps leaders create emotional consistency, predictable team rhythms, and environments where people feel confident navigating change. Attendees will walk away with a weekly operating rhythm, practical scripts, and AI-supported tools that make leadership feel lighter, clearer, and more effective. This is your blueprint for leading change without burnout and inspiring your teams to do the same.
Carolyn Ridout
VP of Marketing & Community Impact, Education First FCU
Beaumont, Texas
When Culture Clicks: Turning Internal Energy into External Excellence
When your team culture clicks, your brand shines effortlessly. Learn how to spark that cultural momentum through leadership, storytelling and authentic connection that makes your members and customers feel your difference before they even know your products.
Christy Lee
SVP of Retail, Centra Credit Union
New Albany, Indiana
Driving Growth Through Value Creation: Centra’s Journey to 30% Loan Lift and Deeper Member Relationships
In this session, Christy Lee, SVP of Retail at Centra Credit Union, shares how Centra transformed its member experience from a friendly but passive “Midwest nice” approach to a dynamic Value Creation model that drives real results. Attendees will walk through Centra’s journey—from redefining frontline interactions to implementing a structured platform rubric that empowers teams to build trust, uncover deeper member needs, and deliver personalized solutions. Learn how this transformation led to a 30% increase in loan production and unprecedented growth in services per household. Discover actionable strategies to elevate your own member experience and create lasting impact.
Amy Tullos
VP Branches, Nuvision Credit Union
Anchorage, Arkansas
Coaching for Confidence: Developing Resilient, Self-Sufficient Branch Teams
This session reframes coaching as an act of empowerment rather than performance management. Attendees will explore techniques that build employee confidence, autonomy, and the critical thinking needed to navigate today’s increasingly complex member environments. The session highlights how to strengthen frontline resilience during periods of economic or regulatory change, and how everyday coaching moments can evolve into long-term skill development. Leaders will learn practical ways to reduce over-dependence on managers by developing decision-ready, self-sufficient teams. Unlike traditional coaching sessions focused on sales or value conversations, this program emphasizes mindset, confidence, and resilience-building that elevates both employee experience and operational consistency.