Understanding Member Challenges at the 2025 MCUF Financial Health Workshop
On Sept. 17, 2025, the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) hosted its fourth annual Financial Health Workshop at the James B. Henry Center in Lansing. Nearly 70 credit union professionals from across the state gathered to learn, share and strategize on enhancing member financial health amid today’s economic challenges.
Thanks to the support of MCUF and sponsors including TruStage, Velera, CUSG and GreenPath Financial Wellness.
The day began with Tracy Wilson, VP of Marketing and Communications for North Central Area Credit Union, who introduced attendees to the True Colors personality framework. With more than a decade of industry experience, Wilson has facilitated these workshops for schools, businesses, nonprofits and government organizations. She guided participants through the official assessment, providing personalized reports within the four-color temperament spectrum (Orange, Gold, Green and Blue). Wilson connected each personality type to common financial challenges, showing how credit union professionals can adapt their communication styles to better support members navigating those struggles.
Attendees were then presented with the 2025 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Update Report by Kaitlynn Lamie, President and CEO of the Michigan Association of United Ways. She highlighted the growing challenges faced by households earning above the federal poverty level but still struggling to afford necessities.
Lamie emphasized that this year alone, 100,000 Michigan households fell into the ALICE category, underscoring the urgency of credit union engagement. With essentials rising at a higher rate than inflation, she encouraged credit unions to know their ALICE populations and respond with creative solutions, such as down payment assistance, tailored products and stronger community partnerships.
Later in the day, Andy Manthei and Nicole Mellor of GreenPath Financial Wellness led the interactive workshop “Are You a Better Toothpaste? Financial Health as a Differentiator.” The session asked credit unions to reflect on how they present themselves to members and build trust through empathy and transparency. Manthei and Mellor introduced the concepts of “the package” (what members see in branches, websites and messaging) and “the ingredients” (how products and mission are communicated), showing how both play a role in shaping member perceptions and financial health outcomes.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session led by Megan Bolado, Director of Learning and Inclusion at Inclusiv. Bolado guided participants through the core elements of designing and launching a sustainable financial coaching program within a credit union. The session covered community mapping, staffing, and program design, while also addressing common barriers to financial well-being. Drawing on successful credit union models, Bolado provided practical tools attendees could take back to their organizations to begin shaping coaching programs that meet the unique needs of their communities.
“Workshops like this give credit union professionals the space to learn and connect around the real challenges members face. The tangible data and strategies shared help strengthen our ability to support financial health in every Michigan community,” said MCUF Executive Director Andrea Tucker. “I’m grateful to our sponsors, speakers and attendees for making this workshop possible.”
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