Katie BaileyENGAGE 2026 attendees will hear from a lineup of speakers bringing perspectives on leadership, innovation, cybersecurity, and the future of technology.
The conference will open on Wednesday, June 10, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. during the Opening General Session celebrating America’s 250 years and credit unions’ impact. Samantha A.M. Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, will welcome attendees and share insights from her leadership experience advocating for nearly 400 credit unions representing more than 33 million members and over $467 billion in assets. A longtime credit union advocate and adaptive leadership facilitator, Beeler is known for her passion for the “People Helping People” philosophy and her commitment to advancing the credit union movement.
The session will also feature Carey Lohrenz presenting Fearless Leadership – High-Performance Lessons from the Flight Deck. As the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot in the U.S. Navy, Lohrenz draws from her experience operating in high-pressure environments where preparation, teamwork, and adaptability are critical to success. Her keynote will focus on leading through change and building high-performing organizations in fast-moving environments.
On Thursday, June 11, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., attendees will hear from FC during the General Session. An ethical hacker, social engineer, author, and co-founder of Cygenta, FC has spent more than 25 years helping banks, governments, and organizations identify vulnerabilities and strengthen cybersecurity practices. Known by his hacker handle “Freakyclown,” he combines real-world cybersecurity expertise with engaging storytelling and humor to provide insight into the hacker mindset and the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
ENGAGE 2026 will conclude on Friday, June 12, from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m., with Peter Leyden during Breakfast. Leyden, an AI and technology expert, strategic foresight advisor, former managing editor of WIRED, and serial entrepreneur, is known for his work exploring the impact of transformative technologies and the opportunities shaping the future. His session will provide insight into the evolving role of artificial intelligence, innovation, and emerging technologies across industries and organizations.
