Evolve 2027 Conference speakers
Meet the leaders and visionaries who will be sharing their insights at this year’s EVOLVE conference:
Blue Stiley
Founder, The Stiley Group
Liberty Lake, Washington
The 3 to 5% Edge™: Small Moments. Extraordinary Impact.
Blue brings a unique blend of humor, storytelling and real-world insight to the stage. He challenges audiences to recognize the overlooked moments that build trust, strengthen relationships, and inspire loyalty. Through his signature 3 to 5% Edge™ framework, attendees will discover practical ways to make a lasting impact on their teams, their organizations, and the customers/members they serve.
Because imagining what’s next doesn’t always require a giant leap. Sometimes, it’s the smallest actions that create the biggest change.
Ronaldo Hardy
Chief Executive Officer, Balance Financial Wellness
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Audacious Authenticity: Leading from the Inside Out
In today’s demanding workplace, authentic leadership is more than a personal quality. It’s a powerful driver of trust, performance, and organizational culture.
A two-time credit union CEO, former CEO of NACUSO and current CEO of Balance Financial Wellness, Ronaldo challenges leaders to move beyond expectations, lead with conviction and create cultures where people thrive. Because the future of leadership isn’t about fitting a mold. It’s about having the courage to lead as yourself.
Buddy Bennett
Chief Operating Officer, Cyprus Federal Credit Union
West Jordan, Utah
Smiles, Screens, and Service Scenes: Reimagining Experience in the Digital Branch
As banking becomes more digital, human connections become even more valuable. How can branches embrace technology without losing the personal relationships that set them apart?
Buddy explores how digital tools, data, and genuine human interaction can work together to create exceptional member experiences. Discover practical ways to personalize service and make every interaction count. Because the branch of tomorrow isn’t just about smarter technology. It’s about creating stronger connections.
Nicole Sherman
CEO & President, Riverview Bank
Vancouver, Washington
Bringing People to Life. Bringing Ideas to Action.
Great ideas don’t change organizations. People do. After a day filled with fresh perspectives, bold thinking and meaningful conversations, Nicole Sherman brings it all together with a powerful reminder that the future of banking begins with the people we lead.
Through her philosophy of Bringing People to Life and Life to Companies, Nicole will unite the biggest takeaways of team empowerment, personal ownership, and helping others discover their greatness. It’s an energizing close to a day of imagining what’s next.
Chris Ryan
EVP, Chief Retail Officer, Heartland Bank and Trust Company
Bloomington, Illinois
From Strategy to the Front Line: Making Change Actually Stick
Learned behaviors are hard to change, and change only sticks when it makes sense to the people expected to carry it forward. This session explores how to move strategy from concept to consistent frontline execution by giving teams the context, tools, and confidence they need before go-live.
We’ll discuss why preparation matters, from building early awareness and communicating the purpose behind change to equipping employees with the training, resources, and support they need to succeed. Through practical strategies such as leadership alignment, local champions, and ongoing feedback, attendees will learn how to address resistance, build momentum, and turn new initiatives into lasting behaviors.
Melissa Marius-Burke
FVP of Retail Growth, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
Bethpage, New York
The Leadership Lab: What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
Facilitated by Melissa Marius-Burke | FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
Growth expectations, limited resources, organizational change and employee engagement are just a few of the competing priorities senior leaders face every day. Join Melissa Marius-Burke for an honest, peer-to-peer conversation about the challenges keeping banking leaders up at night. Drawing on her experience leading teams through significant change, Melissa will share insights on turning strategy into action, maintaining employee engagement and building accountability. Then, the floor opens for executives to exchange perspectives, share what’s working and explore solutions to the challenges they face.
Steve Moushon
Principal Consultant, Moushon Consulting LLC
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
The Innovation Workshop: From Big Ideas to Bold Action
From transforming underperforming branch networks into top performers to leading multimillion-dollar efficiency improvements, Steve brings a practical, results-driven perspective to the stage. In this high-energy, interactive session, he’ll challenge attendees to think differently, collaborate with their peers, and explore creative solutions to real-world challenges.
Come ready to participate, challenge your thinking and leave with a plan to make what’s next happen!
Louie Gravance
President, Louie Gravance Power Talks
Orlando, Florida
Unlocking Service Superpowers: Creating What’s Next
Drawing on his extensive experience with The Walt Disney Company, internationally acclaimed speaker Louie Gravance brings Disney’s legendary approach to service excellence to life with humor, energy, and unforgettable storytelling. Through his signature Service Is a Superpower! philosophy, Louie reveals how workforce connection and a culture of accountability can transform ordinary interactions into extraordinary experiences.
Discover practical ways to inspire frontline teams, strengthen customer and member loyalty, and create the kind of service culture that keeps people coming back. Because the future of banking isn’t just about what we offer. It’s about how we make people feel.
