CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO
  • About Us
    • CUANM Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Advocacy
    • State Advocacy
    • Federal Advocacy
    • Regulatory Advocacy
    • Fundraising
  • Education
    • Events Calendar
    • Webinars
  • Collaboration
    • Chapters
    • Partnerships
    • Small Credit Union Program
    • Stop Fraud NM
  • Compliance
    • AffirmX & Compliance Consulting
    • Compliance Question Hotline
    • InfoSight 360
  • Foundation
    • Collaborative Support >
      • Connected Academy
      • Financial Wellness
    • CU Community Support >
      • Disaster Relief
      • Grants
    • Career Development >
      • Leadership 101
      • Scholarships
  • News
    • Newsletter

NEWS

President's Playbook vol. 3.2

12/22/2025

 
Great things are happening in New Mexico!
͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­
 


Great things are happening in New Mexico!

With the holidays in full swing, I celebrate the opportunity to serve you and our New Mexico credit union movement. As always, your Association took the field with one game plan in mind: advance credit union success through advocacy, education, and collaboration. And thanks to your engagement, it seems we ran the right routes in 2025.

Advocacy:
This year reminded us why strong defense wins championships. Together, we held the line on Interchange—successfully defeating an attack at the Roundhouse—and we continued to amplify the message and came away with a win on “Don’t Tax My Credit Union.” We met with every member of our U.S. Congressional delegation and showed them your credit union strength with stories of how you served members through the unprecedented government shutdown.  

Regulatory advocacy came with a lot of curve balls in 2025. Active communication with NCUA and FID ensured regulators understood the real impact their decisions have on your operations and ability to serve members.  

Education:
From Exploring the Why to BSA-AML/Fraud programs to the International Credit Union Contact Center Conference and hundreds of webinars, 2025 was another strong year for learning and connection. The Annual Meeting continued to be Credit Union True – bringing New Mexico’s credit union leaders and future leaders together to share ideas, sharpen skills, and leave with renewed energy. When we gather volunteers, young professionals, and long-time leaders, our greatest competitive advantage comes to life.

Collaboration:
In true people-helping-people fashion, our game plan was created in collaboration with credit unions, community partners, and service providers. By tackling the challenges of today with an eye towards tomorrow, we help New Mexico credit unions be positioned to grow and thrive.  

We added a new partner, ModernFI, to the roster and would not have a winning team without our all-star - TruStage. For decades, TruStage has not only shown up on game day, but supports us from the off-season through the championship game. Their commitment to your Association allows us to deliver the advocacy, education, and support that keeps the credit union movement moving.  

Speaking of all-stars, congratulations to the 2025 industry and local award winners and recognized New Mexico credit unions: Del Norte CU, First Financial CU,  FirstLight FCU, GECU, Guadalupe CU, Nusenda, Otero FCU, Railroad Employees CU, Sunward, U.S. Eagle, White Sands FCU, and Zia CU.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your team. As we put the 2026 game plan into action, please let me know how your Association can support your success and create a winning game plan for your credit unions and the over one-million New Mexicans we serve.  

Melia D. Heimbuck Esq.

President & CEO

Advocacy
Collaboration
Education
 
Facebook icon
LinkedIn icon

View email in browser
Credit Union Association of New Mexico · 4200 Wolcott Ave NE · Albuquerque, NM 87109-4502 · USA
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Credit Union Association of New Mexico Announces Leadership Expansion: Sara Rochelle Promoted to VP of Public Affairs & Association Services;                              Kelsey McKahin Returns as Director of Programs & Events

12/9/2025

 
Picture
Picture
Albuquerque, NM -- The Credit Union Association of New Mexico is pleased to share two leadership updates that strengthen its mission to advocate, educate, and collaborate with New Mexico’s credit unions. 
Sara Rochelle has been promoted to Vice President of Public Affairs & Association Services. Sara, who earned her Credit Union Designated Educator (CUDE) designation in 2025 and is a Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME), will oversee advocacy communications, partnerships, member engagement, and other key Association services that strengthen statewide collaboration. 
Kelsey McKahin has returned to The Association as Director of Programs & Events, bringing expanded experience from her time with Montana’s Credit Unions along with her newly earned master’s in project management and CUDE designation. Kelsey began her credit union career at The Credit Union Association of New Mexico in 2023 and returns to lead the growth and execution of statewide programs and educational events. 
“These two changes are a big win for credit unions in New Mexico,” said Melia Heimbuck, President & CEO. “Sara has stepped into every challenge with creativity and dedication, and her leadership has made a real difference for our members. Additionally, having Kelsey return feels like welcoming home someone who already understands the heart of our work. I’m looking forward to seeing what they accomplish together.” 
Sara reflected on her new role and the direction ahead. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep growing with The Association,” said Rochelle. “New Mexico credit unions are doing incredible work, and I’m proud to support that. Having Kelsey back only strengthens what we’re building, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.” 
Kelsey shared her excitement about returning to the credit union community where she began. “I’m really happy to be back at The Association and working with New Mexico credit unions again,” said McKahin. “This place shaped the start of my career, and I’m looking forward to building programs and events that bring people together and support the work credit unions do every day.” 
The Association looks forward to the impact both leaders will have as they work together to advance advocacy, collaboration, and education for New Mexico’s credit unions. 
About The Credit Union Association of New Mexico 
The Credit Union Association of New Mexico is the trusted trade association for New Mexico credit unions, supporting member success through legislative advocacy, professional development, communications, and cooperative engagement.  
Media Contact: 
Sara Rochelle, VP of Public Affairs & Association Services 
Credit Union Association of New Mexico 
[email protected] 
575-202-7227 ​

    Archives

    April 2026
    March 2026
    February 2026
    January 2026
    December 2025
    November 2025
    October 2025
    September 2025
    August 2025
    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy

    RSS Feed

Credit Union Association of New Mexico.  All Rights Reserved.
4200 Wolcott Ave NE | Albuquerque, NM 87109
  • About Us
    • CUANM Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Advocacy
    • State Advocacy
    • Federal Advocacy
    • Regulatory Advocacy
    • Fundraising
  • Education
    • Events Calendar
    • Webinars
  • Collaboration
    • Chapters
    • Partnerships
    • Small Credit Union Program
    • Stop Fraud NM
  • Compliance
    • AffirmX & Compliance Consulting
    • Compliance Question Hotline
    • InfoSight 360
  • Foundation
    • Collaborative Support >
      • Connected Academy
      • Financial Wellness
    • CU Community Support >
      • Disaster Relief
      • Grants
    • Career Development >
      • Leadership 101
      • Scholarships
  • News
    • Newsletter