Young Professional Leadership

Cassie Halverson
Marketing Specialist
Westby Co-op Credit Union

During Cassie’s seven years at WCCU, she has worked in both the Marketing Department and in Employee Engagement (Staff Development). Through those departments, Cassie brings both the member and staff perspective to the teams she is part of. Cassie has chaired and/or served on the Education Day Committee, Staff Appreciation Committee, Staff & Member Experience, and DEI Committee. Throughout her tenure, she has been a consistent member of WCCU’s Young Professionals Committee, including serving in a leadership capacity as the CMN lead for the committee. The CMN Lead is responsible for the coordination of all CMN fundraising efforts across WCCU, where she bridges the gap between Young Professionals and Experienced Professionals. 

She has a passion for supporting and advocating for younger people, not only within the Credit Union Movement, but also through her decade long commitment as a hockey coach for the Viroqua Blackhawk’s Girls High School Team and the Viroqua Thunder Girls Youth Teams. Cassie believes participating in sports and being physically active plays a role in mental health and enjoys working with girls and young women as a role model and mentor. She is driven to be a strong leader in her personal life and in her career because many kids and young adults do not have women to look up to in a leadership capacity. Cassie is grateful to the female mentors in her career who pushed her to explore opportunities within the Young Professionals Network. She looks forward to continued success of WCUL YP efforts, so other staff are able to experience the opportunities, growth, and development Cassie has received through WCCU’s YP Committee and the WCUL YP Conferences and Boot Camps.

Danielle Hilbert
President/CEO
Health Care Credit Union

Danielle started her career at HCCU in 2008. She started as a part time MSR while going to college and has worked in every area of HCCU along the way. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she has the ability to solve any complex situation our members may be facing. Danielle has been leading HCCU since March of 2022 and is excited for our bright future.

Originally from Merrill Wisconsin, she received her Associates Degree in Business Management from Fox Valley Technical College. She is a Certified CU Financial Counselor (CCUFC) and a Wisconsin Licensed Mortgage officer (NMLS) as well as a State of Wisconsin Notary. Danielle belongs to the Greater Fox Valley and Fond du Lac County Chapter of Credit Unions and serves on various committees, volunteering her time in those organizations. 

Danielle and her husband reside in the Fox Valley with their two children, and, in her free time, she enjoys spending time at the family cottage during all of Wisconsin’s seasons and helping her family on the dairy farm she grew up on, which her parents and brother still own and operate. Lessons learned on the farm serve Danielle and HCCU members well today.

Brandon Hougom
YP Advisor to The League Board of Directors
AVP Consumer Lending
Altra Federal Credit Union

Brandon has been with Altra Federal Credit Union since 2008 and is currently AVP, Consumer Lending. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from UW-La Crosse in 2008 and received his Master’s degree from Viterbo University in 2013. He was a 2018 graduate of the CUDE program and graduated from CUNA Management School with his CCUE designation in 2023. He currently serves as Chair of the Fundraising Subcommittee on Altra’s Advocacy Committee.

Hunter Hurst, CUDE, CCUFC
Mortgage Loan Officer
Simplicity Credit Union

Hunter has spent nearly four years in the credit union industry, gaining experience across marketing, new accounts, consumer lending, and now mortgage lending at Simplicity Credit Union. Hunter is passionate about continuous learning and professional growth. Hunter holds the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation and is also a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor.

In addition to this full-time role, Hunter is a full-time student at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, where Hunter is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership with an emphasis in Business Administration and Human Resources. Hunter is on track to graduate in 2027. Outside of work and school, Hunter enjoys playing with three dogs and spending time with family and friends.

Mari Kowaleski 
Support Services Supervisor 
Capital Credit Union

Mari is a Support Services Supervisor at Capital Credit Union. She was born and raised in Green Bay, where her family still resides. She and her husband have two beautiful daughters and enjoy spending time with friends and family, cheering on the Packers, and trying new supper clubs for any occasion that allows. She is excited for this opportunity to serve other Young Professionals and their communities. 

Cooper Larson 
Community Financial Education Coordinator
Royal Credit Union

Cooper Larson is a Community Financial Education Coordinator at Royal Credit Union. She has worked in The Credit Union Movement for ten years. Cooper connects Royal with the communities it serves by forming impactful partnerships focused on financial education delivery. She leads Royal’s correctional facility education program, co-hosts Royal’s award-winning Money Donuts podcast, serves as President of the Royal Young Professional’s Group, and is the Young Professionals Liaison to The League on the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Credit Union’s board. Cooper was also a recipient of the 2023 World Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) scholarship which allowed her to travel to Brazil for an immersion experience with Sicredi Credit Union. In her free time, you can find her working on graduate school courses and going on adventures with her Labrador Retriever, Coco.

Daisy Ortiz
Executive Administrative Assistant
Ripco Credit Union

Daisy is a respected leader in the credit union industry, known for her deep devotion in Young Professional's growth and involvement in all credit union spaces. She has also become a passionate advocate for the credit union movement.

Daisy has attended multiple industry conferences/events and is recognized for igniting passion and connections with clarity, warmth, and an engaging presence with every person she meets. Whether addressing frontline staff or executive leaders, she inspires action through real-world examples and a forward-thinking perspective.

Dani Sherman 
YP Advisor to The League Board of Directors
Digital Content Strategist 
Fort Community Credit Union

As a recipient of the CUNA Credit Union Magazine’s 2022 Rock Star Award, Dani has spent the last 10+ years at Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin diving headfirst into the credit union movement with a special focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion and financial well-being for all.

Starting as a teller in high school, Dani has blazed her own path at FCCU, holding several specially-created positions related to technology, marketing, and training— now serving as Digital Content Strategist. Dani earned her BBA in IT and Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2018, combining her educational endeavors with her love for video creation to start the FCCU YouTube Channel in 2017 alongside her FCCU “partner in crime”, Jeffery Anderson. Dani’s primary focus is on cybersecurity education and fraud prevention, with her most popular video titled “How to Tell if a Website is Legit & Online Shopping Scams” amassing 206k views and counting.

Dani is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and an active member of The Wisconsin Credit Union League Young Professionals Network.

Anna Stalsberg, CUDE 
Assistant Office Manager
Altra Federal Credit Union

Anna Stalsberg began her career with Altra Federal Credit Union in 2018 as a teller, where she quickly established herself as a dedicated and member-focused professional. Her commitment to service and leadership potential led to her promotion to Assistant Office Manager in 2021, a role in which she continues to support operational excellence and a positive member experience.
Anna is a proud graduate of the June 2024 Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) program—widely agreed to be the best class ever—and she actively applies cooperative principles and a people-first mindset throughout her work. She serves as a co-leader of Altra’s Young Professionals Circle and is an engaged member of Altra’s Advocacy Committee, contributing to legislative awareness, credit union advocacy, and strengthening the movement’s impact.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Anna is passionate about volunteering and supporting her community. She brings this enthusiasm for service into both her work and personal life, consistently seeking opportunities to uplift and connect with those around her. Anna married her husband, Ross, in 2024, and they are excited to welcome their first child—a baby boy—in April 2026.