Who We Are & What We Do
CUCollaborate is a data and analytics CUSO that helps credit unions maximize growth, impact, and performance. We empower credit unions to adapt and thrive by combining proprietary data and technology with deep subject matter expertise to drive smarter strategic decision-making. Our creative strategies, rooted in our unique technical approach powered by data-driven insights, enable credit unions to stay competitive, optimize performance, and expand their impact in an evolving financial landscape.
We’re more than credit union experts. We look for creative solutions to take our clients out of their comfort zones and into a new phase of growth. We do it by building pioneering software solutions that help our clients achieve growth now and in the future.
We work exclusively with credit unions for the same reason that members choose to work with them. They’re simply better. Credit unions provide greater financial access to often-overlooked markets, making the communities they serve more equitable, better places to live.
Credit unions' transformational power extends far beyond one-to-one transactions; they create a lasting impact for the better. We think that’s a pretty radical mission — and we’re finding new ways to help credit unions achieve it.
Different thinking brings disruptive ideas — and our people aren’t afraid to share their diverse perspectives. In fact, it’s how we create truly fresh thinking for our clients every day. We’ve been credit union reporters, data analysts, corporate consultants, and even rocket scientists. Plus a whole lot more. That’s how you get the benefit of deep industry experience and passion without the same old ideas.
Abigail Pereira brings nearly 10 years of product management experience across various industries, including adtech, fintech, and healthtech. She has primarily focused on early to growth-stage companies, leading the development and go-to-market strategies for 0 to 1 products that have generated millions of dollars in ARR. Abigail is excited to join CU Collaborate and contribute to its mission of supporting Credit Unions. Her journey and passion for finance began at the age of 11 when she received her first credit card from her local credit union. In her free time, Abigail enjoys interior design and spending time with her husband and their two cats, Goose and Andy.
Anna Shapiro brings nearly a decade of federal grant compliance and program oversight experience to her role as Advisory Consultant at CUCollaborate. She previously served at the U.S. Small Business Administration's Oregon and Southwest Washington District, overseeing federally funded grant programs, conducting compliance reviews of community lenders, and connecting small businesses to capital across the region. At CUCollaborate, Anna is passionate about expanding credit union access to CDFI certification and the community development capital it unlocks, bringing a rigorous, detail-oriented approach to compliance and reporting. Outside of work, she's an avid learner — from figure skating and tennis to gardening — and loves adventuring with her husband and two kids.
Armand is a seasoned credit union leader with over 15 years of experience in financial services, specializing in credit union management, marketing, digital transformation, and advocacy. A second-generation credit union professional, Armand has a passion for helping credit unions thrive and better serve their communities. Prior to CUCollaborate, Armand served as the Chief Administrative & Development Officer of a credit union where he led initiatives that achieved exceptional asset growth, secured millions in grants, and pioneered innovative programs. His contributions have earned him recognition, including being named NAFCU’s 2021 Professional of the Year and the CU Times Luminaries 2024 Rising Star. An accomplished advocate and speaker, he holds multiple industry certifications and believes in the power of collaboration and data-driven strategies to drive success. Outside of work, Armand enjoys teaching martial arts, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. Armand holds a BS in Psychology, an MBA with a concentration in Finance, and is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE).
Axel brings a strong background in banking and digital communications to the CUCollaborate team. Before joining the company, he worked as an Associate Banker at JPMorgan Chase, where he developed expertise in financial services and client relationship management. He also served as a Social Media Manager for the Frederick Community College men’s basketball team, overseeing campaigns and engagement strategies. Axel played three years of collegiate basketball and one year of collegiate lacrosse, experiences that fostered his teamwork and leadership skills. He is passionate about helping clients navigate complex financial and strategic challenges by combining analytical thinking with creative problem-solving to deliver meaningful results. A lifelong Marylander, Axel enjoys staying active through the gym and basketball, reading, and spending time with his dog.
Ben is the Director of Partnerships at CUCollaborate, bringing over twelve years of experience in the credit union industry. In his current role, he leads partnerships, manages special projects, and supports account management. Ben is also an organizer of Arise Community Credit Union, a de novo credit union, and serves on the board of the Association for Black Economic Power. His career includes roles at a credit union and the state league in Minnesota. Ben graduated from the University of Minnesota and has been honored with the AACUC Commitment to Change Young Professional Leadership Award and recognized as a Credit Union Rockstar.
Chris has more than 11 years of experience in consulting with a focus on data analytics, managerial cost accounting, workload modeling, performance and financial management. Before joining CUCollaborate, Chris helped clients develop and mature analytical capabilities to inform strategic business decisions at Grant Thornton, Deloitte and Callahan & Associates.
Coquise comes to CUCollaborate from Challenger, the B2B sales and marketing transformation organization. During her time at Challenger, she partnered with startup organizations to embed the Challenger methodology in their revenue-generating teams. She is excited to bring her experience in sales to CUCollaborate to enable Credit Unions to better serve their communities. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and going to art museums.
Dom Patacsil believes in the power of stories. Whether that's data analysis or a work of fiction, he contends that stories help us make sense of the world and act toward greater growth. He has experience in administrative and operational consulting, with a focus on performance assessment. At CUCollaborate, Dom aspires to help credit unions empower the communities they serve through data-informed decision-making and long-term strategy.
With a master’s degree from the O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Emily has experience working in local governments, with non-profit and community partners, and large federal agencies. Prior to joining CUCollaborate, Emily built managerial cost accounting models and oversaw increasing adoption of data modeling to improve transparency and business processes in federal budgeting. Emily strives to make her clients feel heard and aims to foster collaborative adoption and application of data and technology that enable credit unions to better serve local communities and achieve their missions.
With 15 years in the credit union industry, Janette has worked with institutions ranging from $400 million to $6 billion in assets, gaining experience across various roles—starting as a call center representative to most recently Vice President of Business Development. This journey has allowed for a deep understanding of credit unions at every level and fueled her passion for building strong relationships to help them grow. Her expertise lies in business development, strategic partnerships, and innovative growth strategies tailored to the unique needs of credit unions. As a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor, Janette is also deeply committed to financial education and empowering members to achieve financial well-being. Outside of work, she's a proud sports mom, a Disney fanatic and an avid traveler, always planning the next adventure with her family.
Entrepreneur, CTO, and Tech Investor with over 25 years of experience in software development, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, Jason has built multiple successful SaaS startups that have become profitable companies or been acquired by a public company. He enjoys traveling around the world and exploring new cultures.
Jason has over 15 years of experience in consulting, with a focus on financial and performance management, data analytics, business process improvement, and organizational change management. Before joining CUCollaborate, Jason helped clients develop analytical tools and strengthen program management practices to improve operations and better manage resources at Booz Allen Hamilton and Grant Thornton. He is excited to bring his varied consulting experience to CUCollaborate to help credit unions grow and better serve their communities.
Jeff Bailey has worked in the CDFI industry since 2012, holding roles from loan officer at small business and affordable housing lenders to consultant and team leader. He currently manages CDFI Advisory Services at CUCollaborate, where he leads a team of consultants helping credit unions nationwide navigate certification, compliance, strategic planning, and grant writing. Over the course of his career, Jeff has helped clients secure more than $22 million in CDFI Fund awards. Prior to working with CDFIs, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Azerbaijan and obtained a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management. He lives with his family in Vancouver, Washington.
Lara brings a diverse work history to the team, initially starting her career in international development and nonprofits. After completing a Fulbright grant in Rwanda, she earned her MPA from the Maxwell School and most recently worked in budget analysis at the Executive Office of US Attorneys. Lara's goal is to find creative solutions to problems and build strong collaborative relationships. When she's not working, she's spending time with her dog, Benny, playing violin, or trying very hard to keep her houseplants alive.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Leslie leads by the motto "Spartans Will," embracing challenges as opportunities to find a better way. The majority of Leslie’s career has been spent working as a Mortgage Loan Originator, assisting clients with their home loan refinance applications. Her dedication to outstanding service earned her the “Love Our Clients” Award from Rocket Mortgage in June 2019. She also has consulting experience, having supported the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program. She is thrilled to bring her talents and experience to CUCollaborate. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, cooking and cheering on the Tottenham Hotspurs.
Luis has over 20 years’ experience researching credit unions, their historical and current call reports, and AIRES files, across a wide variety of topics including: financial sustainability, member-centric performance, asset growth drivers, capital requirements, and credit union openings, mergers, and closures. Before joining CUCollaborate, his clients included, among others, the Filene Research Institute, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), and other research institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and university professors. At CUCollaborate, Luis’s current focus is developing methodologies that help credit unions use their AIRES files (1) to better measure their member benefits across demographic groups and to better serve the credit needs of their whole communities, (2) to better measure and manage branch performance, (3) to select new branch locations, and (4) to help acquirees in mergers select the acquirers that best fit their members’ needs. Luis received his B.A. in economics and mathematics from the University of Southern Mississippi and his PhD in economics with specializations in statistical analysis and finance from Auburn University, Alabama. His research has been published by the Filene Research Institute, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Opportunity Finance Network, the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, the International Review of Finance, the Corporate Finance Review, Essays in Economic and Business History, and the Cooperative Business Journal.
With two decades of experience helping financial institutions grow, Maks is a trusted advisor in retail banking strategy, branch distribution, marketing analytics, geospatial analytics, and data-driven decision making. His experience spans nationally recognized retail banks such as Capital One, super-regional institutions including Huntington National Bank, commercially driven organizations like BankUnited, and leading credit unions such as Navy Federal. Having partnered with financial institutions across North America, Maks is recognized for translating complex data into practical strategies that optimize distribution networks, strengthen marketing performance, identify growth opportunities, improve performance, and create lasting value.
Marina brings over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, specializing in aligning HR strategies with overall business goals. Her expertise spans policy development, learning and development, succession planning, employee engagement, and employment law, all with a focus on driving profitability and building high-performing teams. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hofstra University and an M.A. in Psychology from New York University. Fluent in Italian, Marina is passionate about travel, enjoys quality time with her family, and is an avid tennis player as well as a dedicated Formula 1 enthusiast.
Sam Brownell is the Founder and CEO of CUCollaborate, a company dedicated to empowering credit unions to maximize their impact on members and communities. With over a decade of experience in the credit union industry, Sam is an expert in fields of membership, technology solutions, and growth strategies. His mission is to democratize finance by making credit unions more accessible to all consumers, thereby driving membership growth. In addition to his role at CUCollaborate, Sam serves as an advisor and investor at Credit Mountain. Sam holds a BA in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics from Denison University and is passionate about solving complex problems to create meaningful change in the financial services industry.
Sean is a results-driven Senior Account Executive with over 10 years of experience in account management, including the past 8 years specializing in business development and client relationships within the consulting space. His professional journey spans diverse industries such as consumer goods, insurance, finance, banking, energy, sports and entertainment, automotive and aviation, and technology. Most recently, Sean worked closely with C-level leaders in assurance functions such as legal, compliance, privacy, and audit/risk. In his current role at CUCollaborate, he aligns tailored solutions with client challenges, manages pre-membership relationships, and leads strategy for key clients and prospects, all while delivering a first-class client experience and driving meaningful growth. Outside of work, Sean enjoys basketball, golf, biking, and spending time near the water with his wife Alison, their two-year-old daughter Grace, and close friends. A passionate sports fan, he cheers for the Tennessee Volunteers and DC’s professional teams and is guided by the mantra, “One day at a time, DOMINATE your day.”
Stas has been fortunate to co-found a software development company and work in tech alongside product teams of highly talented people for over 13 years. Often involved in building products from scratch with very limited resources, he's learned to wear many hats. Throughout the different stages of creating products, he has worked as a Software Engineer, tackled DevOps tasks, analyzed business and user requirements, managed projects and products, led technical teams, overseen software engineers, and even aided with recruiting and office management. This broad skill set has been key in leading projects from a simple idea to successful market launches. In his role as Head of Engineering at CUCollaborate, Stas finds joy and purpose in helping mission-driven financial institutions serve their communities, working with a like-minded team.
