Curql Collective, LLC, announced two additions to its executive leadership team and a key internal promotion. Blake Woods joins as Vice President of Engagement & Growth and Amber Harsin joins as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, while Loriann Mancuso has been promoted to Director of Programs & Partnerships.
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The moves expand Curql’s leadership, as the organization builds on the momentum of Curql Fund II, the largest credit union-led fintech fund ever raised, and continues to expand its role as the connective tissue between credit unions and the fintech solutions built to serve them.
“Blake and Amber bring the kind of knowledge this movement needs, deep credit union experience paired with real fintech engagement,” said Nick Evens, President and CEO of Curql Collective. “And Loriann has already proven what she can do for our signature programs. Her enthusiasm and ability to build strong relationships inspires our team. Together, we have tremendous depth to serve our stakeholders on both sides of the ecosystem, while staying grounded in the credit union relationships that make Curql work.”
Woods steps into the newly structured Vice President of Engagement & Growth role, where he will lead the demand side of the Curql ecosystem, strengthening credit union relationships, driving business development, and leading growth marketing efforts to expand Curql’s network of credit union owners.
Woods joins Curql from orsa credit union where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Transformation, leading strategy and innovation while also serving as President and CEO of orsa ventures LLC, the credit union’s CUSO. He also chaired the orsa foundation, guiding its community giving. Earlier in his career, Woods advised hundreds of credit unions on data and analytics as Senior Advisor at TransUnion, and built and led the Innovation Lab at Lake Trust Credit Union, where he was selected for Filene Research Institute’s i3 Innovation Program.
Woods holds an MBA in Management from Cleary University and a BA in Advertising from Michigan State University, and is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). He currently serves on the National Credit Union Foundation’s DE Alumni Advisory Group.
“Credit unions and fintech need each other and Curql is the place actively building that bridge,” said Woods. “I’ve spent my career on both sides of this relationship, and I’m looking forward to helping the movement discover and engage with the fintech solutions that will define its next chapter.”
Harsin joins Curql as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, where she will own the supply side of the ecosystem, including Curql’s fintech adoption strategy, technology point of view, and the assessment framework that helps credit unions evaluate their modernization needs. Harsin brings more than 20 years of experience spanning frontline credit union operations, vendor product leadership, and executive management, most recently as Vice President, North America at fintech, Mambu. She previously served as CEO of CUProdigy, where she led her team to win NACUSO CUSO of the Year in 2021. Harsin is no stranger to Curql, having previously advised the organization’s portfolio fintechs on go-to-market strategy.
“I’ve had the chance to see this ecosystem from nearly every angle, as a credit union buyer, a vendor, and an operator,” said Harsin. “Coming back to Curql in this role means I get to put all of that experience to work for the credit unions and fintechs building the future of this industry together.”
Mancuso has been promoted to Director of Programs & Partnerships after serving as a driving force behind Curql’s signature programs. In her expanded role, she will continue to lead the delivery of programs including Curql Accelerate and the organization’s growing calendar of events connecting fintech and credit unions, while deepening Curql’s engagement pipeline with credit union subscribers.
“This industry moves fast, and I’m proud of what our programs have already delivered for our owners,” said Mancuso. “I’m excited to keep building on that in this new role and to help even more credit unions get real value out of their partnership with Curql.”
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