Ann Kossachev / Director of Regulatory Affairs, NAFCU

Ann Kossachev was named Director of Regulatory Affairs in January 2019. In her role, Kossachev oversees NAFCU’s advocacy to federal agencies, including the National Credit Union Administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Kossachev joined NAFCU in June 2016 as a regulatory affairs counsel and was promoted to senior regulatory affairs counsel in June 2018. Since starting at NAFCU, Kossachev has led the association’s advocacy on housing finance issues as well as Federal Communications Commission rules implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Prior to joining NAFCU, Kossachev worked at a law firm focusing on complex commercial litigation. Kossachev is a graduate of the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Binghamton University.

Kossachev is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Kossachev is also a registered parliamentarian.

Bruce A. Pearson / Senior Partner, SW&M

Bruce Pearson is a senior partner at the law offices of Styskal, Wiese & Melchione, LLP (“SW&M”). SW&M has been involved in the financial institution movement since 1936 when its founding partners began practicing law. Bruce has over twenty-four years of experience representing the industry. He provides clients with results oriented, practical and strategic legal and business advice focusing upon corporate governance, insurance coverage, operations and regulatory matters. Bruce’s past credit union work experience provides the firm’s clients with a valuable “in the trenches” perspective.

Bruce received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois where he majored in Russian, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated Cum Laude in 1985. While working for a credit union, he attended Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1992. He is licensed to practice in the state of Arizona, California, New York, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Bruce is a frequently requested speaker and teacher at credit union industry meetings and events; he is on the faculty of Western CUNA Management School and regularly trains senior management and volunteers on fiduciary duties and responsibilities, vendor contract negotiations and is a main speaker at SW&M’s annual legal update seminars.

Sohini Chowdhury / Director of Economic Research, Moody’s Analytics

Sohini Chowdhury is a Director and Senior Economist with Moody’s Analytics, specializing in macroeconomic modeling and forecasting, scenario design, and market risk research, with a special focus on stress-testing and CECL applications. Previously, she led the global team responsible for the Moody’s Analytics market risk forecasts and modeling services while managing custom scenarios projects for major financial institutions worldwide.

An experienced speaker, Sohini often presents at client meetings and industry conferences on macroeconomic models, scenarios and CECL solutions. Sohini holds a PhD and a master’s degree in economics from Purdue University, and a master’s degree in applied statistics from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Before joining Moody’s Analytics in 2011, she taught economics at the University of Cincinnati.

Art Sookazian / President of National Credit Union Collections Alliance (NCUCA)

Art Sookazian serves as the Vice President of Special Services and Risk Management for Los Angeles Federal Credit Union (LAFCU). In addition, he is the President of the National Credit Union Collections Alliance (NCUCA). The NCUCA is a nationwide collections organization for credit unions providing networking, best practices, and educational services. He oversees collections, recoveries, litigation, repossessions, and remarketing at LAFCU. He has twenty years of experience in collections at both captive finance and credit union industries. Art has worked at some of the leading captive finance companies including Toyota Financial Services, Lexus Financial Services, and Isuzu Motors Acceptance Corp. Prior to his time at Los Angeles Federal Credit Union, Art served as the Vice President of Collections at Xceed Financial Credit Union. Art has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Virginia. In 2016, Art was awarded the CU Times Trailblazer 40 Below award for his success overseeing collections programs at credit unions while forming the NCUCA.

Alana Anaya, Esq. / Principal & Owner, Anaya Law Group

Ms. Anaya has proudly been representing credit unions, corporate clients and real estate brokerages for over twenty two years. She also is a California Real Estate Broker. Ms. Anaya handles all aspects of litigation, regularly provides legal review and guidance on contracts/transaction matters, handles bankruptcy matters on behalf of creditors and engages in skilled negotiation tactics to maximize all settlement opportunities. Ms. Anaya regularly conducts arbitrations and trials. When clients need guidance backed by experience, Ms. Anaya can prove to be an asset to assist through any difficult or complex matter and can provide the legal guidance needed for a successful conclusion. Ms. Anaya regularly provides ongoing legal education and updates to credit unions and the real estate industry on various current topics of interest and participates regularly as a speaker at local and national venues.

Nathan Anderson / Sales Director at Interactions LLC

Nathan Anderson is Sales Director for Interactions, the largest stand alone AI company in the world focused on leveraging a blend of artificial intelligence and machine learning, with the human touch, to elevate the communication process. Nathan joined Interactions in 2018 and is focused on educating and connecting companies in the credit and collections industry to Interactions’ World Class Solutions.

Before Interactions, Nathan spent the last two decades in the credit and collections industry starting as a collector back in 1995 and most recently as Director of Operations for Account Control Technology. Thru his career, Nathan has consistently utilized technology and process innovation to drive efficiency and create real market differentiators. Nathan’s experience spans across credit card, auto, mortgage, utilities, and student loan verticals to name a few.

Kathryn Davis / President & CEO, Valley First Credit Union

Kathryn Davis is a values-led, people-centric leader with a passion for financial health. A credit union veteran, she has spent over 25 years working in financial cooperatives with a proven track record for developing strategy, empowering teams, and establishing lasting connections with strategic and community partners.

As President and Chief Executive Officer at Valley First Credit Union, one of the Central Valley’s leading financial service providers, she is committed to delivering banking services with a purpose. As an expert in personal finance, she is a passionate advocate for consumer access to affordable financial products, access to fair credit, and creating homeownership via affordable housing.

Ms. Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University California of Riverside and a Master of Arts degree from Chapman University. She also holds a Certified Chief Executive designation through studies from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, and Darden, University of Virginia.

Nationally recognized as an industry expert, Ms. Davis is frequently sought after for speaking engagements on financial capability, housing, personal finance, and women and money.

Ms. Davis and her wine-maker husband have three children and reside in the beautiful “Cowboy Capital of the World” Oakdale, California.