Skip to main content

Diana Dykstra named President of Western CUNA Management School

Diana Dykstra named President of Western CUNA Management School; Dr. Michael Steinberger named Dean of Academics

Ontario, CA (December 7, 2015) — Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) Board of Trustees have announced that—after 44 years of exemplary service—Dr. James D. Likens will retire at the end of 2015, and have selected California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues President and CEO Diana Dykstra to serve as president of the school. In addition, the Board of Trustees are pleased that Dr. Michael Steinberger has agreed to expand his role and will now serve as the dean of academics.

In this new role, Dykstra will help guide WCMS as the school moves into a new era of credit union leadership development. She will serve as the executive lead and as a direct connection between the school and the credit union movement throughout the Western United States. Partnering with Dykstra in this effort, Dr. Steinberger will serve as the academic lead and be the primary driver in the development of future focused leadership development programs for the students of WCMS.

Dykstra is a 1992 Honors graduate of WCMS and has served as the president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues since 2010. She has been a project reader and a popular instructor at the school for 18 years. Diana is a sought-after speaker and an influential voice in the credit union movement.

“The Board of Trustees is honored that Diana has agreed to serve as the president of WCMS as we make this important transition from 44 years of Dr. Likens’ leadership. Her work on campus and her leadership role in the credit union movement will be critically important as the school works to meet the ever changing leadership development needs of today’s credit unions.” said Gene Pelham, WCMS Board Chairman and president and CEO of Rogue Credit Union in Oregon.

Dr. Steinberger—a highly regarded associate economics professor and recent department chair at Pomona College in Claremont, CA—joined WCMS in 2006 as associate dean. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with majors in economics, political science, and statistics; earned a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and in 2004, joined the faculty of Pomona College. His research has been cited in cases before the US Supreme Court, and he has made research presentations at several government agencies, including at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Dr. Steinberger also serves on the Supervisory Committee of First City Credit Union in Los Angeles and on the board of TRUST for Credit Unions in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Likens—recently appointed by the board of trustees as dean emeritus— commented: “This is great news. Michael will bring to WCMS academic leadership of the highest order. How lucky we are to have him.”

“Michael has been instrumental in building a strong academic program for our students,” said Dykstra. “Under Dr. Likens’ mentorship he has been fully immersed in the schools ethos and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him to build upon the legacy of Dr. Likens.”

“At 13 years of age I followed in the footsteps of my parents and opened my first credit union account. I am a beneficiary of and sincere believer in the credit union ideals of people helping people,” said Dr. Steinberger. “I am honored that the Board of Trustees has chosen me to partner with Diana in carrying on Dr. Likens’ work at WCMS preparing the next generation of credit union leaders.”

“We are fortunate to have a credit union movement icon like Diana leading our administrative efforts and an award-winning educator like Michael leading our academic efforts,” said Pelham. “Diana and Michael have been instrumental in WCMS’ past success and we are so excited about what this partnership means for the future success of the students and faculty of WCMS.”

Dr. Likens’ official retirement date is December 31, and Dykstra and Dr. Steinberger are already at work building the strategic plans and curriculum for the 2016 session of Western CUNA Management School.

About Western CUNA Management School

WCMS serves credit unions in the 13 western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It is sponsored by the Alaska Credit Union League, California Credit Union League, Credit Union Association of New Mexico, Hawaii Credit Union League, Idaho Credit Union League, Montana Credit Union Network, Mountain West Credit Union Association, Nevada Credit Union League, Northwest Credit Union Association, and Utah Credit Union Association, in cooperation with Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Graduates who have developed their skills and knowledge at the school occupy positions of leadership and responsibility at some of the nation’s leading credit unions.

Contacts

Nancy Wood
Director of School Administration
Western CUNA Management School
909-212-6059
nancyw@wcmspomona.orgwww.wcmspomona.org

Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political comments.

Popular posts from this blog

Small credit union closures and mergers.

NCOFCU Podcast on the loss of small creditunions. Grant Sheehan CCUE | CEO-NCOFCU examines the rapid decline of small credit unions, why each closure matters to communities, and the threat this trend poses to the cooperative identity and tax protections of the movement. The episode explores practical solutions: larger credit unions acting as stewards, collaboration through shared resources and technology, and the advocacy work of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions to amplify every credit union's voice. Listen for a call to action on preserving community-focused financial cooperatives and strengthening the future of the credit union movement. Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements.  ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional f...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Breaking: NCUA Moves to Remove a Major Barrier to Board Service

NCUA just proposed a rule that would allow federal credit unions to reimburse or directly pay reasonable dependent care costs for volunteer officials when those costs are incurred while attending board meetings or performing official duties. Childcare and eldercare costs are real barriers to serving on a board — especially for working professionals, single parents, and caregivers. At the same time, expectations for board engagement, training, and oversight continue to rise. A few important guardrails remain: ✔️ Applies only to federal credit unions ✔️ Covers dependent care only — not lost wages or compensation ✔️ Requires written board policy and reasonable controls ✔️ IRS tax treatment still applies (talk to your CPA) Bottom line: this won't fix board recruitment challenges by itself, but it removes a real friction point for people who want to serve and simply can't absorb the added costs. NCUA is also asking for comments — including whether training and conferences...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

New FRCUA Manuals Alert!

New & Updated Manuals Now in the First Responder Credit Union Academy! NCUA "What you Need to Know." Building a Budget Policies & Procedures CEO Strategic Planning Checklist Board Strategic Priorities Directors'  Strategic Planning Checklist We’re always improving the First Responder Credit Union Academy to give you the tools you need to succeed. Our manuals are regularly updated with the latest insights, best practices, and industry guidance — so you can stay informed, confident, and ready to serve your members. Check out the latest updates and keep your skills sharp:  https://www.ncofcu.org/first-responder-credit-union-academy  ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board  
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

‘No One Wants a New Car Now.’ WSJ Columnist Offers His Take on Why

NEW YORK–That new car smell isn’t quite the intoxicating perfume it has been for a long time, according to one automotive analyst. Under the headline, “No One Wants a New Car Now. Here’s Why,” the Wall Street Journal’s well-regarded automotive columnist, Dan Neal, observed that “America’s fleet of cars and trucks is also getting long in the tooth.” Neal’s reference was to a study by S&P Global Mobility that found the average age of vehicles in the U.S. is now 12.6 years, up more than 14 months since 2014, with the average age of passenger cars hitting14 years. All-Time High Burden “In the past, the average-age statistic was taken as a sign of transportation’s burden on household budgets,” Neal wrote. “Those burdens remain near all-time hig...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Advice On Winning Over Gen Z In ’25

NEW YORK—As 2025 approaches the close of Q1, how can credit unions win over Gen Z? By tailoring credit rewards for a digital-first generation, a new report recommends. Gen Z is reshaping the workforce and redefining financial behaviors. As of 2024, this generation is poised to surpass Baby Boomers in workforce size and will make up 30% of the workforce by 2030. This rapid growth presents a major opportunity for financial institutions to tap into a younger, digitally native audience with distinct spending habits and financial needs, emphasized a GlobalData report authored by Zachary Johnson, specialist, campaign execution & strategy, financial services at VDX.tv. “Unlike previous generations, Gen Z’s economic journey has been shaped by inflation and delayed career starts due to the pandemic and skyrocketing living costs. These factors have made them highly dependent on credit, with Gen Zers being 23% more likely to own a credit card than Millennials at the same age, and carrying...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Long-Stalled Credit Card Competition Act Moves Forward In Senate Clarity Act Markup

WASHINGTON—A long-stalled bipartisan push to boost competition in the credit card market moved closer to becoming law late Friday, as Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) advanced a new amendment attached to the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup of the Digital Asset Market Structure and Investor Protection Act, commonly known as the Clarity Act. Dick Durbin The amendment, a core component of the long-debated Credit Card Competition Act, would prohibit major credit-card networks and large issuing banks from enforcing network exclusivity on credit cards. Supporters argue the measure would expand transaction-routing competition, weaken the dominance of the largest payment networks, and reduce swipe fees that merchants say inflate consumer prices. The renewed momentum reflects President Trump’s recent backing of efforts to rein in credit card costs, a shift that has altered the political trajectory of legislation that has struggled to advance in prior Congresses. With Tru...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

'Tis the season for fraud! Teller questions if member fraud is suspected.

  When a credit union employee suspects a member may be subject to fraud, they should initiate a careful conversation focusing on the nature of the transaction and external influences. The goal is to help the member identify red flags without the employee asking for sensitive personal information that the credit union should already have on file.  Initial Verification Questions    .pdf Before discussing the specifics of the suspicious activity, the employee should confirm the member's identity in accordance with established internal protocols.  Questions About the Transaction/Activity If the member confirms they are conducting a suspicious transaction (e.g., a large wire transfer or purchase of gift cards ), the employee should ask questions to help the member pause and think critically:  "What is the purpose of this transaction?" "Do you personally know the person or business you are sending money to?" "Have you ever met the...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Retail sales in the United States jumped nearly 11% this holiday season

PURCHASE, N.Y.–Retail sales in the United States jumped nearly 11% this holiday season compared with the holiday period in 2019, the year before the pandemic upended the global economy, according to a new Mastercard analysis. The report, Mastercard SpendingPulse , showed an 8.5% increase in retail sales over the holiday season, defined as Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, compared with last year. The figures exclude automobile sales. According to Mastercard, sales in stores were up 8.1% compared with last year, while e-commerce sales were up 11%. Compared with 2019, before the pandemic brought about an explosion of online ordering, e-commerce sales jumped over 61%. Online sales made up 20.9% of all retail sales this year, the Mastercard SpendingPulse reported. In 2019, online sales accounted for just 14.6% of all retail sales, underscoring how the pandemic has accelerated the shift to e-commerce. Beating the Rush In a statement cited by the Times, Steve Sadove, senior adviser for Mastercard, sai...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

New Vehicle Sales Slam on the Brakes

ARLINGTON, Va.—Total vehicle sales plummeted to 11.4-million units in March from February's rate of 16.7 million annualized units. Monthly sales levels were down 34.1% versus March 2019. “The global effects of coronavirus on the auto market are here, including disrupted supply chains, idle factories, and closed showrooms resulting in the lowest monthly sales number since June 2010,” said NAFCU Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Curt Long. “As most shelter-in-place orders were instituted in March, April's numbers are likely to be even lower. “NAFCU expects vehicle sales to continue to fall in Q2 as the effects of social distancing take hold, with some rebound in the latter part of Q3, though as with any virus-related forecasts, there is a high degree of uncertainty,” Long added. Cars,  Trucks Back Down Car and light trucks sales both fell dramatically during the month to 2.9 million annualized units and 8.5 million annualized units, respectively. L...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»