Oct 1–2, 2026 Meeting, Nashville
Introducing our keynote speaker…
Navigate Economic Uncertainty and Position Your CU for Strategic Success in 2027 & Beyond
Speaker: Tara Sinclair, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and International Affairs, George Washington University
In an era of economic volatility—from market disruptions to geopolitical tensions—financial leaders need clear, actionable insights. Dr. Tara Sinclair will deliver forecasts and analysis on key macroeconomic indicators, including consumer spending, unemployment, labor dynamics, and policy impacts.
Drawing on her expertise in forecasting and policymaking, she will provide context behind current decisions, assess where the economy stands, and highlight longer-term trends. With experience at the St. Louis Federal Reserve, the World Bank, and as founding chief economist at Indeed, CEOs will gain data-driven frameworks to guide CU planning.
Dr. Sinclair directs George Washington University’s Center for Economic Research and is regularly featured in major outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg, with appearances on CNN, NPR, and Fox Business.
About Your Keynote Speaker
Tara M. Sinclair is a macroeconomist and professor at George Washington University, where she chairs the economics department. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Macroeconomics at the U.S. Treasury and as chief economist at Indeed. Her work connects economic theory to real-world decision-making, developing data tools used by policymakers. She regularly advises public officials, business leaders, and the media on business cycles, labor markets, forecasting, AI, and macroeconomic policy. Dr. Sinclair earned her PhD in economics from Washington University in St. Louis.
About Your Meeting Facilitators
Tim Harrington
President, TEAM Resources
Author, consultant, and international speaker Tim Harrington has worked with credit unions across all 50 states and internationally throughout Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico. Since 1996, he has served as President of TEAM Resources, providing strategic planning, governance guidance, consulting, and training to credit unions nationwide.
Over the past 30+ years, Tim has worked with more than 600 credit unions and spoken at over 1,000 conferences and events, helping organizations navigate the rapidly changing financial services landscape and position themselves to thrive.
Tim is the author of several books, including Eisenhower on Enlightened Leadership and Living a Life that Matters: Into the Light, and co-author of A Credit Union Guide to Strategic Governance. He previously partnered with one of the nation’s largest credit union auditing firms, now known as CliftonLarsonAllen.
Dennis Sullivan, MBA
Founder & CEO, 40 Groups, Inc.
Dennis is an experienced executive, entrepreneur, professor, and credit union advocate. He has launched or turned around more than 100 products and businesses and serves as Chairman of CU Leadership Convention, a position he has held for more than 20 years.
He has also served as a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, recently named one of the world’s top business professors, and serves on the faculty of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. He is a professor at the Community College of Baltimore where he also serves as Executive Director of CCBC Center for Business Innovation & Trades that has helped launch 65 new businesses in mostly underserved communities.
Agenda
THURSDAY
October 1, 2026 • 6:00 - 8:00 pm
(Members and plus 1 are welcome to attend the evening’s events.)
TBD
Afternoon Networking Outing
6:00 – 6:45 pm
Cocktail Reception
6:45 – 8:00 pm
Dinner
FRIDAY
October 2, 2026 • 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
7:00 - 8:30 am
Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30 am
Registration
8:30 - 9:45 am
Introductory remarks
Dennis Sullivan
Opening Keynote - Navigate Economic Uncertainty and Position Your CU for Strategic Success in 2027 & Beyond
Tara Sinclair, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and International Affairs, George Washington University
9:45 – 10:30 am
How CEOs are Managing Their CU in the Face of Economic Uncertainty
Lead Facilitator: Tim Harrington, President, TEAM Resources
10:30 – 10:45 am
BREAK
10:45 am – Noon
Roundtable Discussion on the Top 3 Topics Facing CUs Today
Noon – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Deep Strategic Thinking on the #1 Challenge Facing Your CU
Lead Facilitator: Tim Harrington, President, TEAM Resources
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Roundtable Discussion on Current Challenges & Solutions
3:15 – 4:00 pm
Turning Ideas into Action: Practical Steps for Implementing Your Take — Home Plans
Noelle in downtown Nashville is an experiential hotel and creative gathering place for adventurous people seeking a true Nashville encounter.
Created by some of the area’s finest makers and artists, this one-of-a-kind collaboration is designed specifically to bring guests face-to-face with the warmth, talent and delightful unpredictability that make Nashville unique.
Noelle pays homage to the building’s predecessor, the Noel Place, which was built in 1930 as one of Nashville’s first luxury properties. Noelle came of age at a time when downtown Nashville was experiencing a boom of new hotels, department stores and local characters aplenty. With Printers Alley at her back and the glow of Broadway a block away, Noelle has long been at the center of the hustle and bustle that fuel this eclectic city.
Now in its second act, the famed Noelle hotel has risen once again to take on its role in Nashville’s rich narrative. Today, Noelle serves as a gathering place for some of the city’s most interesting voices and makers as it continues to contribute to the spirit that makes this place so unique.
Your stay includes:
- Premium High-speed wi-fi
- 24 access to hydration and coffee stations on every guest floor featuring sparkling & still water and Nespresso coffee
- Relax & Recover Passport with curated wellness perks across Nashville
- Complimentary wellness experiences at QNTM Fitness (6-minute drive)
- Record player and vinyls to borrow during your stay
- Priority access to Lona dining reservations
- 24-hour fitness center
Next Meetings
Oct 1–2, 2026
Noelle, Nashville TN
Feb 11–12, 2027
Waldorf Astoria, Orlando, FL
June 10–11, 2027
Jackson Hole, WY
OUR SPONSORS
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40 Groups members include…
16A Bel Air South Parkway, Suite 328
Bel Air, MD 21015
202.743.6197
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