Protégé Finalists

Alicia Little

Central SC Chapter Protégé

Job Title: Assistant Supervisor

Credit Union: Palmetto Citizens FCU

About
A native of Goldsboro, NC, Alicia has been with Palmetto Citizens FCU for three years now, working her way through the ranks. As an assistant supervisor, she gets to have a hands-on experience with her members, watching them grow and become financially independent and free of debt. Alicia loves to be an active participant in her community and to better the lives of those around her. She aspires to bring Palmetto Citizens into local high schools with student branches and hopes to instill financial literacy and success into the younger generations. Connect on LinkedIn.

Interests/Hobbies: In her spare time, Alicia enjoys sketching and painting canvases.

Matthew Ord

Lowcountry Chapter Protégé

Job Title: Financial Service Representative II

Credit Union: South Carolina FCU

About
Matthew is a current student at Charleston Southern University and aspires to launch his own financial literacy nonprofit organization to help bridge the gap of financial education in his community. Being a newer member of the SC Federal team, he enjoys most the personal relationships he is able to build with the members he serves. Connect on LinkedIn!

Interests/Hobbies: In his free time, Matthew enjoys travelling, hiking, and has a love for sea turtles!

Crystal Walker

Northeast Chapter Protégé

Congrats to Crystal, who was named First Runner-up in the 2025 Protégé Finals on Feb. 13!

Job Title: Consumer Lending Manager

Credit Union: State Employees’ Credit Union

About
Crystal shares her knowledge and skills through her involvement with various initiatives. She serves as board treasurer for Operation Sunshine in Greenville, NC, is a standing CUxEL Advisor with the Carolinas Credit Union League, and is the vice chair for the African American Community and Networking ERG with State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU).

Crystal has worked for SECU for all of her adult life and takes pride in the credit union’s ability to provide a safe place for their members to reach their financial goals. She believes in the philosophy of people helping people and aspires to climb the ranks in the lending space to continue helping her members achieve financial success as well as pave the way for other emerging leaders.

Interests/Hobbies: Crystal enjoys going on spontaneous adventures with her son and expressing her creativity through writing short stories!

Kalyn Stowers

Northwest Chapter Protégé

Job Title: Assistant Branch Manager

Credit Union: TCP Credit Union

About
Kalyn Stowers embodies the ‘People Helping People’ mission both inside and outside of the credit union space. She is an accredited financial counsellor, a board member for the Northwest Chapter, is actively involved in her child’s school PTO, takes part in the Chestnut Grover Ruritan Club for her community, and is an active member of her church. When it comes to the credit union and her career, she is driven by her desire to develop young professionals and evolve the CU Movement. She has passion for mentorship and advocacy and aspires to be a leader who instills both confidence and resilience in the next generation of professionals. Kalyn takes pride in the deep and profound relationships she builds with her members at TCP, and revels the opportunity to support their financial journey and success. Connect on LinkedIn!

Interests/Hobbies: Kalyn is a dance mom, cheer mom, band mom, and more, as well as a wife and dedicated Christian. She also enjoys nature and adventure, travelling to the mountains, and breaking out the four-wheelers!

EJ McDuffie

Piedmont Chapter Protégé

Job Title: Business Development Specialist

Credit Union: Skyla Credit Union

About
E.J. is a graduate of NC A&T State University and holds two bachelors, one being in Adult Education. He is a DEIB steering committee member and has a strong passion for the financial wellness of our underserved communities. In his role at Skyla CU, he is able to embody his passions and meet members out in their communities. He uses these opportunities to show appreciation to them, as well as address their needs. Through building relationships and partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and faith-based groups, E.J. aims to bridge the wealth gap and promote economic mobility for all. Connect on LinkedIn!

Interests/Hobbies:

Brinkley Wooten

Tarheel Chapter Protégé

Congrats to Brinkley, who was named Protégé Winner in the 2025 Protégé Finals on Feb. 13!

Job Title: Product Development Specialist

Credit Union: Coastal Credit Union

About
Brinkley is a native of Raleigh, NC and is well-involved with her community. She takes an active role in her church as well as with ALS United NC. Brinkley has a passion for empowering individuals with disabilities to have financial support and success and hopes to one day, fill a role where she can make improvements and positive impacts for that community. Along with her passion of financial access for all, Brinkley enjoys the credit union space for its purpose to give all members an equal vote. Connect on LinkedIn!

Interests/Hobbies: When she’s not advocating for access to all, you can find Brinkley spending time with family, cooking and playing the oboe.

Kaitlyn Sheldon

Upstate Chapter Protégé

Congrats to Kaitlyn, who was named Second Runner-up in the 2025 Protégé Finals on Feb. 13!

Job Title: Digital Marketing Specialist

Credit Union: Greenville Federal Credit Union

About
Kaitlyn is a native of Portland, Oregon and a graduate of Washington State University. She has a deep appreciation for data analytics and enjoys being able to utilize data, member feedback, and industry trends to drive member-focused innovation and stimulate growth. Working at Greenville FCU is meaningful to her, in that she is able to have an active part in someone’s financial success and freedom. She aspires to be the next Chief Experience Officer. Connect on LinkedIn!

Interests/Hobbies: In her free time, you will find Kaitlyn exploring local history with her husband or at home channeling her creativity through cooking and sewing.