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In this episode, Trust Falls and Take Offs, we explore how true leadership is built on moments of both vulnerability and lift.

Just like a trust fall, great leaders create environments where their team feels safe to lean back, knowing they’ll be supported. And just like a takeoff, leaders provide the vision, energy, and momentum that help the team rise to new heights.

We unpack the balance between letting go of control and offering direction, sharing stories and strategies for building authentic trust, cultivating confidence, and inspiring sustainable success that grows naturally from within the team rather than being forced from the top down.

Juan Fernadez Bio:

As CEO, I’ve had the honor of leading a transformational journey—reimagining what a modern credit union association can be. When we became Luminate, it wasn’t just a name change; it was a commitment to shine a light on relevant, future-forward solutions for credit unions of all sizes.

Whether it’s policy, innovation, or people—everything we do at Luminate is in service of a brighter, more inclusive financial future. I’m proud of our team, our mission, and the movement we’re helping to build.
Let’s connect if you’re passionate about the future of credit unions, advocacy, or building purpose-driven leadership ecosystems.

I have served the credit union movement for over twenty years in four states - New York, New Mexico, Washington and Louisiana - tackling opportunities in communities of all sizes and complexity. I started as a teller and have grown a career in credit unions because of the amazing power we have to change people's lives. I am passionate about our movement and am honored to be part of it.

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Armand Parvazi is a passionate credit union leader, former C-suite executive, and accomplished strategist with a strong track record of driving growth and innovation. With experience spanning political campaigns, small businesses, and financial institutions, Armand brings a unique perspective to digital transformation, marketing, financial institution management, and corporate strategy.

A second-generation credit union professional, Armand is a lifelong advocate for the movement both in local communities and on Capitol Hill. He has led impactful initiatives, including the implementation of a data-driven marketing strategy that delivered a 2,100% ROI, a 61% increase in assets, and a rise in products-per-new-member by 39%. He also pioneered the first cancer care debt relief program in the nation, helping members facing medical hardship.

Armand was named the 2021 NAFCU Professional of the Year and a 2024 CU Times Luminaries Rising Star, recognizing his leadership and commitment to the credit union mission.

He is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the World Council of Credit Unions, CUNA/America’s Credit Unions, and various state league conferences.

Certifications: CUDE, CCUE, NCCO, CCUFC, CUCME, Certified CDFI Practitioner

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A heartfelt thank you to JT and Valiify for hosting a podcast at our 2025 Luminate Convention!

The mic's have turned and I was interviewed!

I was truly honored to share my love for Luminate, our incredible team, our amazing members, and of course, the great state of Louisiana.

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In Episode 14 of the Luminate podcast, titled Culture Shock, my co-host Joshua Poole, CEO of BRECO FCU, and I dive deep into what it truly means to lead with heart, empathy, and vulnerability.

This episode is a powerful reminder that real leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about connection, courage, and compassion. From personal stories to raw truths, we get honest about the emotional layers of leadership. Fair warning: you might want to keep some tissues nearby, this one’s got all the feels.

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Joshua Poole BIO:

As a trusted executive leader specializing in credit union operations, I bring a rich and robust history of driving continuous growth and development for the organizations I have served.

My ongoing experience as President and CEO with BRECO Federal Credit Union speaks to my progressive career advancement and capacity to actualize positive change at all turns. I have led BRECO to achieve multiple awards including "Best of the Best" among credit unions statewide while driving improvements to financial performance and risk management.

Further, I am well-regarded as a respected thought leader in the industry backed by my contributions as an author for national credit union publications, as part of the Board of Directors with Luminate (formerly Louisiana Credit Union League) and previous Chapter President of the Baton Rouge Chapter of that organization.

My experience is complemented by an MBA in Financial Management Services from Louisiana State University Shreveport and a designation as a Credit Union Enterprise Risk Management Expert (CUERME).

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What does it mean to shift perspective?

And what in the world do vandals have to do with that?

Are you sharing too much with your office plants and not giving yourself enough room to shift?

Guest Host - Greg Hawks

Real Estate Investor
For 25 years, I’ve owned and managed single-family investment properties. That responsibility shaped my Owner, Renting, and Vandal Mindsets framework—because ownership isn’t a title, it’s a mindshift.

Nonprofit Executive
I spent a decade leading a faith-based nonprofit, running summer camps for thousands of students, mentoring leaders and creating relational resources that served both. It’s where I first saw the power of mindsets and mindshifts at work - What thoughts people think, determines everything!

Keynote Speaker/

culture specialist
For 15 years, I've brought these insights to organizations across the country. I work with leaders who want to transform their workplace culture into an ecosystem of trust, ownership, agility, and growth.

Agency Owner
For almost 4 years I've had a small team of speakers join me at Hawks Agency. The vision is to offer a boutique agency focused specifically on culture and leadership. They are the best! (If I'm not a fit for your event, one of them will be!)

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🎙️ Join me and Brent Rempe, President & CEO of First Alliance Credit Union in Rochester, Minnesota, as we dive into what storybook lending really means — and how to become a main character in your member’s journey.

This isn’t a fairytale. It’s the real magic of credit unions. 💫📖

Brent Rempe's Bio:

I’m an accomplished, mission-driven trailblazer with extensive and international experience in developing and implementing transformational growth strategies, expanding lending operations, and fostering employee development within the credit union and financial industry. As a strategic networker, I strengthen community outreach and forge trusted relationships within the local communities, schools, and real estate industry.

I leverage deep industry knowledge to ensure financial stability and continued growth by leading visionary initiatives, projects, and operations. I’m known as an ideator who proactively and creatively improves processes, communications, and brand to ensure sustainable credit union operations.

•Proven effective leadership & change management acumen by unprecedented lending & portfolio growth immediately following a major company restructure.

•Maintains an unwavering focus to uplift communities through education, outreach programs, & equal access to products & services.

•Demonstrates ability to build enduring company culture & employee loyalty through professional development & leadership programs.

I hold degrees in Economics & Entrepreneurship for Educators, Organizational Dynamics, and Business Administration, as well as multiple certifications gained throughout my career.

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Why should we reach beyond our credit union walls and what kind of impact does that have on our internal culture?

Join us for episode 11!

Jessica's BIO:

Jessica Sharon has led Pelican’s financial outreach efforts for the past sixteen years. In her role as VP of Impact and Advocacy, she orchestrates the implementation of Pelican’s adult and youth financial wellness programs. She leads a team of nine credit counselors offering workshops, one-on-one counseling, youth education programs, and community financial outreach. Their award-winning programs have reached over 60,000 individuals since 2007. Jessica also serves as grant coordinator for Pelican’s CDFI grant programs and leads Pelican’s advocacy efforts in Louisiana as chair of the Louisiana Credit Union League (LCUL) Baton Rouge Chapter Advocacy Committee, and a member of the LCUL CULAC Committee. Jessica received her BA in Marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University, MBA from Louisiana State University and is a certified Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). She is an active member of many professional organizations such as the Louisiana Jump$tart Financial Literacy Coalition and the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

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Join Nanci from Luminate with special guest-host Jenni Speth from the National Credit Union Foundation in a chat all about the Wegner Awards, celebrating one another, and making each day a mini-awards ceremony.

Jennifer Speth Bio:

Jenni Speth is the Engagement Director for the National Credit Union Foundation. Working side by side with the Chief Engagement Officer, Jenni connects donors to Foundation resources, programs, and events as well as all things fundraising to help the Foundation make an impact on the credit union system. In continuous support of the Foundation and credit union movement, Jenni became a graduate of the Credit union Development Education (CUDE) program in 2012.

Jenni is responsible for the details, planning and execution of

the Foundation’s largest fundraising gala, the National Credit Union Foundation Dinner Presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards. This annual event bolsters an attendance of over 1000 credit union people from around the world and celebrates the highest national honors in the credit union movement. She also spearheads and manages fundraising efforts for that support Foundation’s programs and grants. Jenni’s journey into her credit union career began in 2007, when she started working with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in their Finance department as an Accounting Generalist & Payroll Clerk. Jenni joined the Foundation in 2010, starting in the Finance department. She then transitioned to Events in 2014 where she has continued to move the mission of the Foundation forward through her creative direction in her event and programmatic work.