AI is changing everything. But what if its biggest impact isn’t replacing humans, but redefining what truly matters? In this episode of Human x AI, Charles Frederickson, CEO of Stanwood Area Federal Credit Union, shares a grounded and inspiring perspective shaped by decades in the industry. He’s seen transformation before, but nothing like this. Charlie doesn’t just talk about the potential of AI; he addresses the tension. The fear. The uncertainty. From fraud risks to job disruption, he openly acknowledges the challenges that come with a rapidly evolving world. But here’s where his perspective shifts. Instead of focusing on what AI might take away, Charlie highlights what it gives back – time. Because at the heart of it all, human connection still wins. AI can process information, automate tasks, and even mimic conversation. But it can’t feel joy. It can’t understand emotion. It can’t replace the meaning behind human interaction.

AI isn’t replacing humans. It’s revealing what makes us human. In this deeply personal episode of Human x AI, Shirley Senn (Chief Community Development & Impact Officer at New Orleans Firemen’s FCU) shares a perspective shaped by 34+ years in credit unions, and a life moment that changed everything. From starting her career in the early ’90s, when technology was barely part of the equation, to now building her own AI agents, Shirley has seen the evolution firsthand. But this conversation goes far beyond AI tools and trends. Shirley breaks down why AI should never replace human connection, but instead amplify it. She talks about the fear many teams feel today, and why that fear exists. More importantly, she reframes the narrative: AI isn’t here to take your job, it’s here to give you back time to do the work that actually matters.

Kevin Cole, CEO of Mid Oregon Credit Union, is refreshingly honest about where he stands and what finally moved the needle. In this episode, recorded live at GAC 2026 in Washington, DC, Ashish sits down with Kevin, a 28-year credit union veteran who went from predatory lending to purposeful banking and never looked back. They get into what it really looks like to deploy AI inside a credit union, why human connection is the last true competitive differentiator, and why MidOregon has never laid off a single employee since 1957. Kevin shares how Eltropy Voice+ is their first step into conversational AI, and why he walked out of an AI hackathon in Hawaii with a product pitch so good he would have funded it himself. But underneath all the technology talk is something bigger, a belief that no AI system can replicate a culture where people actually care. Where employees show up not for a paycheck but for a purpose. Where members get to choose how they want to be served, and the credit union’s job is simply to make every option great.

What if AI’s greatest gift to community banking was more time for the human moments that actually matter? In this episode, Ashish sits down with Dan Apfel — CEO of Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union in Rochester, New York, a CDFI credit union built on one simple belief: everyone deserves access to a fair and equitable financial system. Dan is warm, opinionated, and full of hope for what AI can do for the communities that need it most. Dan believes AI has the power to be a true equalizer, giving small credit unions access to products, services, and capabilities that were once only available to the big players. He’s already vibe coding his heat pump with Claude and dreaming of the day a two-person engineering team can build what once took a hundred. The future, for Dan, is full of possibilities. But at the heart of it all is something no algorithm can replace, the relationship.

What does it mean to serve people who run into burning buildings when everyone else runs out? In this episode, recorded live at GAC 2026 in Washington, DC, Ashish sits down with Jeffrey Staw, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Firefighters First Credit Union, for a conversation that’s equal parts mission-driven and forward-thinking. Firefighters First isn’t your typical credit union. With 16 branches across 7+ states and a field of membership exclusively for active and retired firefighters, they operate less like a financial institution and more like a family. That tight, purposeful bond is everything, and Jeffrey’s job is to make sure AI strengthens it, not dilutes it. They get into the big questions: How do you scale emotional connection? When is AI the better choice over a human interaction? And why is the fear around AI and jobs largely overblown. Jeffrey brings a refreshingly grounded, no-hype take – from his days at Open Technology Solutions supporting three of the largest credit unions in the country, to now applying big-institution lessons at a credit union with a crystal-clear north star: Is this best for the firefighter?

Most leaders talk about AI adoption. Krassi Kassabov, Chief Strategy Officer at Lake Trust Credit Union, actually stopped a team meeting, dedicated an hour to fear, and asked everyone: what scares you about this? What he heard and how he responded, is a blueprint for any leader navigating the human side of AI. In this conversation with Ashish Garg, Krassi gets into the real mechanics of how Lake Trust is deploying AI across contact staff, marketing, and internal knowledge systems. But more importantly, he makes the case that the most valuable skills in an AI world aren’t technical, they’re deeply, irreducibly human. A conversation rooted in trust, migration, community banking, and what it actually means to be human in an age of machines.

What happens when AI meets one of the most human, emotionally charged parts of finance – collections? In this episode of Human by AI, Ashish Garg sits down with Matt Stegall (Assistant Vice President of Member Solutions & Advocacy at Vantage Credit Union) to unpack the real story behind AI in collections. From personal credit mistakes that leave lasting scars to the role of empathy in moments of financial crisis to the big question everyone’s asking, will AI take our jobs? This conversation goes beyond the hype. You’ll hear why collections today is less about “bad debt” and more about life-shock events, how AI is actually making teams more productive, not replaceable, the importance of connection, empathy, and trust in financial recovery, and practical advice for the next generation navigating an AI-driven world.

What does it look like when a credit union doubles in size, and doubles down on its people at the same time? Jesus Garcia, Chief Experience Officer at OceanAir Federal Credit Union in Oxnard, California, has a front-row seat to that story. In this episode of Human x AI, Ashish Garg sits down with Jesus to explore how OceanAir is deploying AI — starting with an Employee Assist tool that acts as an always-on co-pilot for staff — while never losing sight of what makes community banking special. From beach cleanups to food drives to a brilliantly simple Costco credit card strategy, Jesus makes a compelling case that the human touch isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the whole point. They also tackle the fear question head-on: what do you tell frontline employees who are worried AI will replace them? Jesus’ answer is clear — at OceanAir, no one gets laid off. AI makes people better, not redundant.

What happens when a credit union CEO has done nearly every job in the building, from teller to IT director to the corner office? You get a perspective on AI that’s equal parts grounded, optimistic, and deeply human. In this episode of Human x AI, Ashish Garg sits down with Casey Bacon, CEO of Statewide Credit Union in Mississippi, who has spent 35+ years building his way up from the ground floor. Casey shares why he’s a firm believer in AI, not despite his old-school roots, but because of them. They dig into where AI is already creating real impact at Statewide, from fraud monitoring to internal knowledge tools that help every employee give members the right answer at the right time. But the conversation goes deeper than features. Casey makes a powerful case for why human connection remains irreplaceable, especially when serving low-income, rural communities where trust is everything. No AI bot can look a member in the eye and help them escape predatory lending for the first time. That takes a person.

In this episode of Human x AI with Ashish Garg, we sit down with Justin, Chief Technology Officer at First New York Federal Credit Union, a nearly 90-year-old institution rooted in educators, families, and community trust in Albany, NY. Justin shares how his credit union is taking a deliberate, governance-first approach to AI: not chasing the bleeding edge, but not closing the door either. The goal? Empower people to do higher-level work, achieve better member outcomes, and use AI as a genuine force multiplier.

In this episode of Human x AI, Mike McWethy (EVP, Texans Credit Union) breaks down what’s actually happening as AI enters the workplace. No hype. No fear. Just real transformation. Tasks that once took 30 minutes now take seconds. AI is stepping in to handle repetitive, low-value work, freeing teams to focus on what truly matters. Not more tasks. Not more output. Better thinking, better decisions, and more meaningful human interactions. AI isn’t removing the human element, it’s making space for it. From enabling 24/7 support to uncovering insights humans might miss, it’s reshaping how organizations operate and how people contribute. At the same time, a new skill is emerging.

Artificial Intelligence is getting smarter every day. But what happens when machines can think faster than humans? In this episode of Human x AI, David Woodruff, CEO of APL Federal Credit Union, shares a powerful perspective: AI won’t replace humanity, it will reveal what truly makes us human. From automation in credit unions to the future of work, David explains how AI should handle the mundane tasks, freeing people to focus on what machines can’t replicate: empathy, judgment, and human connection. He introduces a compelling idea: For most of history, work relied on the body. Then the industrial age shifted work to the mind. But in the AI era, the economy will be driven by the heart and soul. Through real stories, including a moment when a $200 decision changed someone’s life, David shows why human judgment still matters more than ever.

Jared Freeman, President & CEO of OnPath CU shares a practical and human-centered approach to AI. In this candid conversation, he reveals how AI is helping his team at OnPath Credit Union anticipate member needs, streamline processes, and enhance relationships—without replacing humans. Learn how Jared balances rapid growth, board expectations, and emerging technology, while keeping empathy, culture, and trust at the center of his strategy. Discover why he believes in a “crawl, walk, run” approach to AI, how early experimentation with predictive tools can prevent member challenges before they arise, and why the human touch remains irreplaceable for high-stakes conversations like mortgages, first-time homebuying, and financial counseling. This episode proves: AI augments humans, but wisdom, culture, and emotional intelligence remain entirely human.

Vyjayanthi Vadrevu, founder of Incluya and applied cultural anthropologist, explores a powerful question: Can AI truly understand humans? She explains why today’s AI systems often reflect a narrow, Western-centric perspective — and why financial “peace” means very different things across cultures. From her background in anthropology and innovation at Capital One to building an AI company focused on emotional and cultural intelligence, she shares how technology must move beyond efficiency and into empathy. We explore bias in AI, the emotional undercurrent of financial decision-making, and why ancient intelligence — human wisdom, context, and culture — must guide artificial intelligence.

What does real leadership look like in the age of AI? Dan Sutton, President & CEO of Kemba Credit Union, makes it clear: “Not on my watch.” No employee at Kemba will lose their job to AI. In this candid Human x AI conversation, Dan shares his 26-year journey from the lowest-ranking member of the accounting department to CEO — and why he believes AI should remove the mundane, not the meaningful. From deploying AI in the contact center as a protected knowledge base to calming employee fears with steady reassurance, Dan explains how technology can enhance empathy, not replace it. He introduces his powerful metaphor: don’t be the ostrich hiding from AI — be the giraffe who sees what’s coming. This episode is a masterclass in balancing innovation with humanity — and proof that AI and people can win together.

From launching credit score education products to building AI learning programs that take employees from “AI Cadet” to “AI Wizard,” Bhavna, Chief Digital Officer at Baxter Credit Union, shares how BCU is embracing innovation with intention. With one in five members logging into mobile banking daily, digital engagement is strong, yet branch and phone interactions still drive higher trust and NPS. Why? Because banking isn’t just about transactions. It’s about confidence, empathy, and human connection. This conversation dives into AI experimentation, user experience evolution, and why the future of financial services isn’t human vs. AI — it’s human x AI.

In this episode of Human x AI, we sit down with Bob Morgan, CIO at PrimeWay FCU, a trailblazing innovator in the credit union movement. From onboarding Eltropy early to shaping AI adoption at Primeway FCU, Bob shares his practical approach: start small, learn with what you know, and embrace AI without fear. He reveals how AI can handle the repetitive tasks, compliance, paperwork, even fraud detection, so humans can focus on what really matters: enabling dreams, educating members, and adding genuine value. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this conversation proves that AI is a partner, not a replacement, and that human ingenuity will always be the driver of impact and innovation.

What happens when a self-described AI “outlier” leads finance at a community institution? Michael Cruz, CFO of Seattle Credit Union, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services, without replacing the human heart. From using ChatGPT to model financial scenarios and remodel his home to experimenting with AI copilots for internal knowledge systems and underwriting, Michael shares a refreshingly balanced perspective: AI as calculator. AI as copilot, But never AI without humanity. his takeaway? AI will augment us. But trust, culture, and heart are still human.

Barb Lowman, President of CUNA Strategic Services, shares why understanding AI before jumping in is critical for credit unions, boards, and employees alike. From early education with boards to guiding institutions on automating mundane tasks and enabling self-service for members, Barbara shows how AI can amplify human potential rather than replace it. Along the way, she shares fun personal stories – from decoding Shakespeare on her honeymoon with ChatGPT to her hands-on philosophy for thoughtful AI adoption. Learn how education, strategy, and governance form the foundation for successful AI integration, why humans still add irreplaceable value, and how credit unions can embrace AI confidently – turning fear into opportunity, efficiency, and deeper human connections.

Kent Lugrand, President & CEO of InTouch Credit Union, calls himself an AI “tweener” — not a skeptic, not a zealot, but a leader leaning in with intention. In this compelling episode of Human x AI, Kent shares how AI is transforming decision-making, accelerating operations, and unlocking new capacity across his 70,000-member credit union. Tasks that once consumed hours now take seconds, creating space for deeper member relationships and smarter strategy. He addresses the real fears around AI, the responsibility of leadership during disruption, and why trust and human judgment remain irreplaceable. For executives navigating the AI shift, Kent offers a grounded, powerful roadmap for embracing innovation without losing your soul.

What happens when AI stops assisting, and starts acting? Brad Bergmoser, President & CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union, delivers a bold take on the next frontier: agentic AI. From automating routine calls to reimagining loan decisions, Brad explains how AI should amplify human expertise—not replace it. He tackles employee fears, unionized workforces, and the cultural shifts ahead, urging credit unions to lean in, collaborate, and lead. His message is clear: the future of community finance won’t be boring, it will be fast, intelligent, and deeply human.