Susan Brunner
CUDE
Susan is principal of Susan Brunner & Associates, LLC, specializing in planning and implementing community development initiatives. Susan applies entrepreneurial concepts and business development skills to build strategic collaborations and partnerships that promote economic opportunity for credit unions, businesses, organizations and communities. Susan’s experience as a small business owner for more than twenty years along with her extensive experience in marketing as well as non-profit and community development, brought her to the credit union industry more seven years ago. Working with La Cap Federal Credit Union in Louisiana, she developed a community art-lease program that created economic outreach opportunities linking the credit union and its services with the financial needs of the cultural industry in Louisiana. Since then, she has worked together with the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation as well as film production studios, theater owners and regional art councils to create programs connecting the cultural industry to credit unions’ lending products and services.
As Director of Community Development at Carter Federal Credit Union in Louisiana for over three years, Susan’s responsibilities included grant writing, creating community development initiatives, strategic planning, advocacy, press, media and public relations. She began a VITA program, an Alternative Refund Anticipation Loan program, and numerous financial education outreach programs, including a Biz Kid$ Summer Theater Camp Pilot Program. She developed a financial education certification program for credit union staff as well as created marketing and campaigns for community development initiatives. Susan specializes in creating community partnerships and collaborations that focus initiatives and outreach to low-income and underserved populations.
Susan is a proud graduate of the 2011 class of Credit Union Development Educators (CUDE) sponsored by the National Credit Union Foundation. She has attended Inclusiv of Community Development Credit Union’s Community Development Management Institute. Most recently, in 2013, Susan joined the Inclusiv’ Inclusiv/Network team as a consultant. Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has served on extensive boards and committees, and currently enjoys serving as a member of the Biz Kid$ advisory committee.