Staff

Gerry Singleton brings extensive experience and passion for the credit union movement into his role as 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, oversees its operation, and sits on the board of the Tribute Captive.

Before joining Montana’s Credit Unions, Gerry spent almost 25 years as the VP-Credit Union System Relations at TruStage, working closely alongside leagues, America’s Credit Unions, 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 TruStage 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 day-to-day financial activities and 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 automotive sales industry.

Listen to the Meet Dawn podcast episode.

As Communications Director, Michelle Skinner brings more than 18 years of marketing and communications experience to Montana’s Credit Unions. A strategic storyteller and seasoned content creator, she develops compelling campaigns, publications, and digital content that advance financial well-being for all and highlight the credit union difference across Montana.

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 engagement, and elevate the credit union story across Montana. Karen also leads several long-term strategic initiatives, including modernization of the Montana Credit Union Act, development of advocacy leadership programs, and efforts to strengthen credit unions’ collective voice.

Karen is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic mindset, data-informed advocacy, and passion for empowering credit union professionals to confidently engage in the democratic process.

Outside of work, Karen enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Montana’s scenic back roads as a passenger on her husband’s Harley, camping, traveling, and relaxing on the river. She values the balance that Montana’s outdoor lifestyle provides and believes some of life’s best conversations happen around a campfire or on the water.

Listen to the Meet Karen podcast episode.

Ranel Smith, CMP, CMM, CUDE, is the go-to person for creating memorable educational events and conferences for Montana’s credit unions. With a passion for bringing people together, she supports credit unions across the state through educational programming while also lending her event-planning expertise to organizations like the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the Montana Tavern Association, and several other associations.

Ranel earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2013 and her Certified Meeting Management (CMM) certification in 2020, combining strategic planning with a knack for making events run seamlessly. In addition to overseeing MCU’s Business Partnership Program, she collaborates with the Tristate Collaborative LLC alongside the Minnesota and Wisconsin leagues to strengthen partnerships and create new opportunities across the movement.

When she’s not coordinating conferences, building partnerships, or hopping on another flight for work, you’ll find Ranel at home in Great Falls with her husband, spending time with her three grown children and grandchildren. She’s a music lover, Pilates enthusiast, and avid traveler who is always planning her next adventure — whether for business or pleasure.

Listen to the Meet Ranel podcast episode.