Speakers

Dr. Brandi Stankovic is an organizational change expert, motivational speaker, artist, and mommy who inspires firms globally with her leadership, engagement, and award-winning education models. Dr. Stankovic is a trusted advisor and strategic planning facilitator who guides CEOs and Boards on risk appetite, organizational health, profitability, and growth. She is the COO of Advisory Solutions and Chief Strategy Officer at CU Solutions Group. Dr. Stankovic is the co-author of The Strategic MVP, a book of 52 growth and leadership tools, and the host of the energizing podcast, The Strategic Hotbox, designed to help executives reach their greatest potential. Dr. Stankovic is a director and co-founder of CU Pride, an industry organization serving LGBTQ+ community and allies. She also serves on the CMN Hospitals Credit Unions for Kids advisory group, HRD Network Board advisor, CUVM Board, and is a Development Educator CUDE and I-CUDE. Dr. Stankovic volunteers for World Young Credit Union Professionals and Global Women’s Leadership Network, World Council of Credit Unions, helping advance young executives and women in leadership across the globe. Dr. Stankovic received her Bachelors in Finance and Economics at the University of Nevada, MBA from the University of San Diego, and Doctorate of Education from Pepperdine University.

Carlene Frimer

Carlene describes herself as insatiably curious, sometimes witty… and a little bit weird. She is passionate about credit unions, cooperatives, learning & development, and inspiring others on their journey. After a full-time credit union career of 25 years, Carlene continues to facilitate and consult on learning & development strategies. Her primary focus is supporting People Leaders to coach and support their staff with Member relationship-building skills.

Carlene also has a passion for continuous improvement (lean). She holds a Lean Blackbelt (Lean Sensei International), and has developed Whitebelt, Bluebelt & Yellowbelt programs for credit union teams.

Carlene is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE in Madison, Wisconsin in 2007, DEUK in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2008 and iCUDE designation in 2012.) She currently supports Canada DE (St. Mary’s University, Nova Scotia) as a facilitator/mentor.

Carlene is thrilled to be facilitating a workshop for ICUCCC and looks forward to connecting with and learning from new credit union colleagues.

Amanda Gore

Amanda Gore’s keynotes, workshops, facilitation and corporate trainings are a transformative experience focusing on leadership development and communication, outstanding customer service and sales, igniting joyful workplace cultures, and unlocking peak performance – helping teams connect, engage, and thrive. She is a leading expert on The Human Advantage in communication, joy and building joyful cultures and collaborative teams. ‘Amanda takes edutainment to a whole new level’. She motivates and inspires by blending relevant up to date content with high energy, humor, interaction, stories and science to facilitate behavioral change, collaboration, creativity, skill development and ROI.

Walter Bond

When Walter Bond steps onto a stage, his 6’5″ presence is immediately felt. But it’s his powerful and authentic message that truly commands the room. As a former NBA player, best-selling author, and nationally recognized business coach and motivational speaker, Bond has dedicated his life to sharing the mindset that allowed him to defy the odds and achieve greatness. He is known for his signature blend of humor, “tough love,” and real-world experience, leaving audiences feeling motivated, inspired, and equipped with actionable strategies for peak performance.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Bond’s path to the NBA was anything but typical. Despite lacking the innate athletic gifts of many of his peers, he harbored a dream of playing professional basketball. Through relentless hard work, unwavering dedication, and a commitment to mental toughness, he earned an eight-year professional career, playing for teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons. He was the first undrafted rookie to start a season-opening game for the Dallas Mavericks and holds the career high of 25 points in a single game. His journey is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the principle that hard work can overcome perceived limitations.
Transitioning from the basketball court to the business world, Bond applied the same principles of discipline and accountability that fueled his athletic success. He is a prolific author, with titles including “Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success” and “Cultivate: The Six Non-Negotiable Traits of a Winning Team.” These books, like his keynotes, are designed as practical guides to professional development and organizational success.
In 2025, Walter Bond continues to be a highly sought-after speaker for a diverse range of industries, from financial services and real estate to agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
Beyond his speaking engagements, Bond is a business coach who offers one-on-one professional development and leads mastermind classes. He and his wife and business partner, Antoinette, are co-founders of a training and development company and offer coaching services designed to help individuals and organizations accelerate their growth.
Walter Bond is a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota and has been married to his wife and business partner, Antoinette, for over 30 years. They have three adult children. His life’s work is a reflection of his core belief: to help people unlock their full potential and achieve a level of success they once thought was impossible.