Who we are
Driving Credit Union Growth, Innovation & Sustainability
Partner with CU Innovate for strategic solutions that boost profitability, strengthen culture, and position your credit union for long-term success.
About Us:
At CU Innovate, we believe every credit union has the potential to achieve exceptional growth, profitability, and sustainability. Our mission is to help you realize that potential through strategic insight, operational expertise, and innovative solutions tailored to your unique goals.
As a full-service consulting firm, we specialize in every aspect of credit union success—from board governance and executive leadership development to front-line sales programs and cultural transformation. With decades of industry experience, our team brings actionable strategies and hands-on support to move your organization forward.
Our Approach
We make success simple and strategic:
Assess Your Organization – A comprehensive review of your operations, culture, and performance trends.
Recommend & Prioritize – Clear, customized strategies that deliver impact where it matters most.
Execute with Expertise – Partner with us for seamless implementation and measurable results.
You don’t have to navigate the complexities of today’s financial landscape alone. Let CU Innovate be your trusted partner in driving growth, innovation, and member value—because when your credit union thrives, your members do too.
Our Team
Stacie Vandenberge
Stacie VanDenBerghe is a nationally recognized credit union consultant and dynamic speaker with more than 25 years of industry experience. She has partnered with boards, CEOs, executives, and frontline teams across credit unions of all sizes, delivering strategies to strengthen leadership, drive growth, and foster innovation.
Before founding CU Innovate in 2016, Stacie spent five years as Director of Consulting Services for the Michigan Credit Union League, where she designed and led executive training programs, conferences, and customized in‑person and virtual workshops. Known for her engaging, tell‑it‑like‑it‑is approach, Stacie inspires audiences while equipping them with actionable tools for success.
Stacie’s diverse background spans leadership, marketing, HR, and organizational development, giving her a unique ability to tackle complex challenges with practical solutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor’s in Communications from Michigan State University.
Whether you need an in‑service facilitator, management development leader, or a high‑energy conference speaker, Stacie delivers results that motivate and transform teams.
CEO
JOYE cochran
Joye Cochran is an accomplished business transformation leader recognized for a strategic mindset and a proven ability to drive meaningful organizational change. With deep expertise in strategy, project and change management, business transformation, and process optimization, Joye designs and implements solutions that enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and enable sustainable growth.
Partnering with organizations to unlock potential, Joye leverages proven methodologies to guide businesses in identifying, managing, and executing strategic initiatives. From optimizing processes to overseeing complex programs, delivers transformative outcomes that align vision with measurable results.
As a global team leader for two Fortune 500 companies, Joye is passionate about empowering teams to collaborate effectively, think creatively, and solve business challenges with practical solutions that deliver measurable impact.
Joye can assist you and your teams with in-service facilitation, strategy definition or planning, leadership development, change management, Objective, Key Result setting (OKR), process optimization, and/or project management.
Chief Innovation Officer