Staff

Gerry Singleton brings extensive experience and passion for the credit union movement into his role as MCU President/CEO of Montana’s Credit Unions. Gerry plans and directs the financial, operating, and human resources for the Montana Credit Union League, MCUCD, and the League Service Group. He also serves as the chair of the MCUL Group Benefits Trust and oversees its operation.

Before joining Montana’s Credit Unions, Gerry spent almost 25 years as the VP-Credit Union System Relations at CUNA Mutual Group, working closely alongside leagues, CUNA, and other key system partners to build a thriving credit union system. During his time in the credit union movement, he has served on various national boards and advisory groups, including the National Credit Union Foundation and the CUNA Mutual Foundation boards, as well as the CUFinHealth Fund Advisory Board, and as an active Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), with designations for CaribDE, Africa DE, and iCUDE.

Gerry is a long-time resident of Bozeman, Montana, who enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and engaging with his community.

Listen to the Meet Gerry podcast episode.

Renee Lyman, CUDE, has spent 17 years with Montana’s Credit Unions, supporting both the Education and Training Department and League Service Group. Her work includes promoting education events, distance learning opportunities, and business partnerships and sponsorships, as well as managing many of the behind-the-scenes details that help MCU events run smoothly.

Outside of work, Renee frequently visits Bozeman to spend time with her daughter at Montana State University and cheer on the Bobcats at football games. She enjoys traveling with her husband, two adult children, and their dog, Yeti, as well as attending concerts and spending time on Montana’s lakes and rivers, camping, and fishing.

Listen to the Meet Renee podcast episode.

Donya Parrish has been at MCU supporting credit unions across Montana since 2002 and has earned her Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist (BSACS), and Certified Credit Union Board Member (CCUB) designations. She’s your go-to person for training and assisting credit union staff and boards on compliance, fraud, and regulatory issues, as well as producing relevant resources to assist in their daily compliance efforts.

Listen to the Meet Donya podcast episode.

Mara K. Rayner, CUDE, manages the day-to-day operations of the Montana Credit Union League Group Benefits Trust and provides additional HR services, including facilitating the HR Community. She graduated from the 2017 April DE class (BEST CLASS EVER!) and believes wholeheartedly in the DE program.

She coordinates with the Giant Springs Chapter to bring her DE project, Garage Sale for Good, to life annually. In her free time, Mara loves spending time with family and friends doing anything outdoors — hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, beautifying her yard, and so much more. Glacier National Park is her favorite place to visit in Montana, and since she’s from Minnesota, she acts as a Glacier tour guide for MN friends and family several times each year.

Listen to the Meet Mara podcast episode.

Beth Satre, CUDE, functions as the data hub at Montana’s Credit Unions. She oversees MCU’s data collection and the technical side of the website. If you want to subscribe to one of our publications, would like access to MCU’s website, or have a question about grammar (or Adobe software), give her a call.

In her free time, Beth hangs out with her family and friends, volunteers for various non-profits, and works on her photography and design skills. She loves the outdoors, often has her nose in a book, and is always ready to engage in a good conversation about credit unions, cooperatives, or, well, just about anything.

Listen to the Meet Beth podcast episode.

Dawn Schneider serves as the Accounting and Operations Manager at Montana’s Credit Unions where she manages the day-to-day financial activities as well as provides support to the organization’s operations.

Dawn’s background includes a wealth of experience in managing data, planning events, and providing guidance and operational support to a variety of businesses throughout the community, all while managing her own bookkeeping business.

In her free time, Dawn can be found riding her horses, making jewelry, lifting weights, spending time with her family, or assisting her husband in the day-to-day operations of their taxidermy business in Helena. Both of her children are grown, with her daughter just starting her veterinary career and her son pursuing a career in the building industry. You could say her family covers everything from healing, building, and making things last.

As Communications Director, Michelle Skinner is the mastermind behind crafting compelling content and seamlessly integrating marketing platforms to champion the credit union movement. Whether it’s digital campaigns, print publications, or media relations, Michelle ensures the message is loud, clear, and maybe even a little fun. She also serves as the go-to liaison for the CU4Kids and CU Voices communities, and somehow finds time to organize six fundraisers a year for MCUCD and CU4Kids.

When she’s not juggling marketing strategies or fundraising events, Michelle is busy chasing her two daughters around their registered Angus ranch in Hall, Montana. Her downtime (if you can call it that) includes wrangling a flock of show sheep — who are surprisingly photogenic — for TikTok and Instagram fame. She also lends her creative talents to other businesses in need of graphic design and marketing magic.

Michelle’s reading list is as eclectic as her schedule, ranging from ancient European history and urban fantasy to FinTech innovators and the latest marketing trends. Basically, if it has words, she’ll read it — unless a sheep needs a selfie first.

Listen to the Meet Michelle podcast episode.

Karen Smith serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer for Montana’s Credit Unions, where she leads the association’s advocacy, communications, and grassroots engagement efforts on behalf of Montana’s credit union system. With more than 23 years of experience serving Montana’s credit unions, Karen is deeply committed to advancing the credit union movement’s people-helping-people philosophy and protecting credit unions’ ability to serve their members and communities.

In her role, Karen oversees state and federal government affairs, political advocacy, public relations, and strategic communications. She works closely with credit union leaders, policymakers, regulators, and national partners to align advocacy priorities, mobilize grassroots involvement, and elevate the credit union story across Montana. Karen also leads several long-term strategic initiatives, including the modernization of the Montana Credit Union Act, the development of advocacy leadership programs, and efforts to strengthen credit unions’ collective voice.

Karen is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and is known for her collaborative approach, data-driven advocacy, and passion for empowering credit union professionals to engage confidently in the democratic process.

Outside of work, Karen enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her daughter at sporting events, riding passenger with her husband on Montana’s winding back roads, camping, and relaxing on the river—embracing the outdoor lifestyle that makes Montana home.

Listen to the Meet Karen podcast episode.

Ranel Smith, CMP, CMM, CUDE, supports Montana’s credit unions with education-related assistance, putting on conferences and educational events throughout Montana every year. Additionally, she assists the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the Montana Tavern Association, and several other associations with their event planning. Ranel obtained her Certified Meeting Professional designation in 2013 through the Convention and Industry Council and her Certified Meeting Management designation with Meeting Planners International in 2020. Ranel also oversees MCU’s Business Partnership relationships and works with the Tristate Collaborative LLC with the Minnesota and Wisconsin leagues.

Ranel lives in Great Falls, Montana, with her husband and has three grown children. She enjoys music, pilates, and leisure travel (when, that is, she’s not traveling for work)!

Listen to the Meet Ranel podcast episode.