Lara brings more than 30 years of experience in international development, with work spanning Africa, Asia and the Americas. She recently retired as an executive with Global Affairs Canada, where she served in the diplomatic service.
Throughout her career, Lara has built deep expertise in international development programming, strategic leadership and partnership development, strengths that will be invaluable as CDF continues to grow its impact.
Lara holds academic credentials in political science, international affairs and business administration from the University of Ottawa, Queen’s University and the University of Warwick.
Audra Krueger is the Executive Director of Co-operatives First, a non-profit organization promoting the co-operative model in rural and Indigenous communities across western Canada. Before joining Co-operatives First, Ms. Krueger was Research Liaison at the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. She is former vice-chair of Good Food Junction Co-operative, first director and treasurer of Saskatoon Car Share Co-op, director of Saskatchewan Co-operative Association and Executive Director of the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op. Ms. Krueger has also researched and written on Mexican agrarian co-ops, which earned her a Master’s degree in Collaborative International Development and Sociology from the University of Guelph. Ms. Krueger’s focus on strategic partnerships and pragmatic solutions has positioned her organization for strong short and long-term impacts. Within the first few years of operations, Co-operatives First has delivered educational products to thousands of people. The organization has helped to create over 140 co-ops in western Canada. Plus, her community engagement team has directly engaged thousands of community leaders and business, economic and community development professionals with the co-operative model. Her long-term goal is to increase the number of co-operatives forming across western Canada.
Brenda is Head of Marketing & Communications at Collabria Financial and has spent more than 20 years supporting the Canadian credit union system. After two decades in marketing, communications and leadership roles with Saskatchewan credit unions, serving members and communities, she joined Collabria in 2021. There, she works with credit unions across Canada to help them grow and succeed.
Brenda has long championed the co-operative values of collaboration, inclusion and community impact. She is passionate about building strong partnerships, developing people, and helping organizations create lasting value for the members and communities they serve. She brings expertise in strategic marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership, along with a firm belief in the power of co-operation to drive positive change.
With over 20 years of co-operative experience, Christina Garchinski has a strong background in financial management, strong connection to the co-operative values and principles, and a passion for leadership and digital transformation.
A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) by designation, Ms. Garchinski has spent over a decade leading the accounting function at Innovation Federal Credit Union. Her strategic and analytical mindset has driven the organization towards achieving financial stability and growth. Currently, Ms. Garchinski holds the position of Vice President of Support Optimization at Innovation Federal Credit Union. In this role, she leads a team that focuses on optimizing business processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Her leadership in digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives is paving the way for the credit union to remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
Ms. Garchinski’s commitment to continuous learning is evident through her academic achievements. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Business from Emeritus and has attained White, Yellow, and Green Belts with Lean Six Sigma. Additionally, she has completed numerous leadership programs and several AI courses related to business and strategies, demonstrating her relentless pursuit of knowledge and professional growth.
Daniel Brunette is an experienced and bilingual professional dedicated to building a better world. He has more than 20 years of stakeholder relations and philanthropic management experience with non-profit organizations and charities, as both an employee and consummate volunteer.
Mr. Brunette is currently the Senior Director, External Affairs with Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC), the national apex organization, where he has worked since 2019. His role at CMC is focused on federal government advocacy, collaborations with partners outside the movement and public speaking, in order to create opportunities, raise awareness and foster a more enabling environment for co-operatives. Within the sector, he also serves on the Board of the CoopZone Developers’ Network Co-operative and the Centre of Excellence in Accounting and Reporting for Co‑operatives (CEARC) at Saint-Mary’s University.
Outside of the sector, he has served, or continues to serve, on various boards and committees, notably helping establish and serving as President of Philanthropie Outaouais, one of the newest Community Foundations in Canada.
Mr. Brunette holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in 1996 and a United Way Ottawa Community Builder Award in 2015. He has had the opportunity to speak across Canada and internationally on various topics, as well as do some volunteer work in India, Haiti and Ghana. He is a proud husband and father of two.
With over 30 years in the credit union system, Ms. Chambers’ breadth of experience spans across almost every area of the business showcasing her versatility, and ability to navigate and innovate within diverse roles. She has worked in co-operatives throughout her career including in credit unions, technology service organizations and in the Centrals that support the system. As Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, with Cornerstone Credit Union, Ms. Chambers finds fulfillment in the collaborative and supportive environment that mirrors her own values. As a Director with the Canadian Credit Union Association her strategic and technological insights have positively contributed to their success. Her unique blend of experience, passion, and commitment to innovation can be seen throughout the broader credit union community.
Ms. Chambers commitment to continuous learning and impact is evident through her academic and professional achievements. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and an MBA from Royal Roads University, she recently completed a Digital Leadership certification with eCornell. She also has experience with Lean Six Sigma which has evolved into a strong commitment to deliver customer-focused operations. Her passion for financial literacy extends beyond the workplace; she teaches courses at Momentum in Calgary and has contributed her expertise internationally, coaching credit union managers in Africa. Her leadership has been recognized through representation in the inaugural CUES Next Top CU Exec competition and as Chair of the National Young Leader Committee, where she played a pivotal role in the creation of initiatives that connect today’s young and experienced leaders to shape Canada’s credit union system of tomorrow.
Martha has built a career in leadership, governance, and corporate strategy, serving as a senior executive, board chair, and director across a range of organizations. As President and CEO of the Canadian Credit Union Association, she led a restructuring of governance, funding, and operations to support the organization’s long-term stability. Her experience also includes leadership roles at Navigator Ltd. and BMO Financial Group, where she worked in corporate strategy, marketing, and public affairs.
Her board experience spans private companies, Crown agencies, and non-profits, with a focus on financial services, governance, cooperatives, and the arts. She served as board chair of the Royal Ontario Museum and the Ontario Art Council and a Director for many organizations, including the World Council of Credit Unions, Dane Creek Capital Corp., 8-Twelve Mortgage Co., and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. With a practical approach to problem-solving, she has helped organizations navigate challenges and strengthen governance structures.
A bilingual native of Ottawa, Martha holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Western University, along with an ICD.D. She has been recognized for her contributions with the Lieutenant Governor’s Distinguished Service Award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Michael Hatch is the Canadian Credit Union Association’s Vice President of Government Relations. Mr. Hatch manages the team that runs CCUA’s advocacy and policy work at the federal and provincial levels on behalf of credit unions. Before joining CCUA in 2018, Mr. Hatch spent a decade at a government relations consulting firm working primarily for national associations. During that time, he also served as chief economist to a large retail trade association and was their national media spokesperson, conducting well over 2,000 media interviews in all formats over ten years. He worked on Parliament Hill for three years as an economic policy advisor. Originally from Newfoundland, Mr. Hatch has a degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.
Nigel brings over 38 years of experience in banking, including 28 years dedicated to the credit union system across Canada and the Eastern Caribbean. His career reflects a deep commitment to cooperative finance, financial inclusion, and community economic development—guided by the cooperative principle Concern for Community.
Nigel began his credit union work in 1996 with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, leading a regional initiative to strengthen rural credit unions and expand microfinance access—empowering underserved communities and advancing member resilience. He later supported the Caribbean Development Foundation in disaster response fundraising across regional credit union leagues. During the years in the Caribbean, Nigel served as a CUSO Cooperant working with staff and volunteers of the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association implementing public education campaigns, increasing youth engagement and raising funds to expand programming for persons who are blind and visually impaired.
Currently Vice President of a Centre of Excellence in Social Finance at Assiniboine Credit Union (a certified B Corp), he leads a team of impact finance specialists expanding access to capital for non-profits, cooperatives, small; business and social enterprises. His work drives sustainable development in marginalized communities through innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships.
Nigel has served on multiple community and government boards in areas such as affordable housing, arts and culture, childcare, and social services. He holds a B.Comm., I-CUDE, FCUIC, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and brings both strategic vision and grassroots experience to global cooperative development.
When Equitable Bank acquired Concentra Bank and Concentra Trust in November 2022, Tanya Postlewaite was identified as a high-potential leader who would play a key role in the integration and execution of the bank’s growth strategy while leading the credit union and Trust business lines through the acquisition and carrying on credit union values into the future.
Ms. Postlewaite leads a team of 80+ people and oversees $36 billion of assets under administration and services to 200+ credit unions. She has created new strategic goals with accountability to the Board, built alliances across the credit union system and identified ways to expand the Trust business.
Her career at Concentra Bank and Concentra Trust began in July 2013 as Legal Counsel. From 2014 – 2020, she held several roles: VP Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Chief Privacy Officer.
Ms. Postlewaite has expanded the depth and breadth of the regulatory compliance program at Concentra and built a strong connection between the compliance division and business lines. She adopted innovation with technology and leading compliance methodologies.
In 2020, as VP of Governance, Corporate Secretary and a member of the Executive Team, Ms. Postlewaite lead the Board and Senior Management team through the COVID-19 pandemic from a governance and reporting perspective.
In August 2021, she was appointed Head of Concentra Trust, a federally regulated trust company with a 70 year old legacy of partnering with credit unions.
Ms. Postlewaite is an experienced leader with success leading high-performing and engaged teams. She recently completed the LEAD Executive Management Program at Stanford University. In 2023 she was recognized as a Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in the Executive Leadership category.