2024 CUES Emerge winner Shanece Robinson shares how AI-driven learning tools are transforming employee growth and engagement, elevating CU performance along the way.

As Team Lead of Learning and Development at $1 billion Sharonview Federal Credit Union, Shanece Robinson is passionate about empowering employees to reach their fullest potential. Robinson believes in the importance of creating personalized learning paths and is excited by the advancements in AI that are facilitating this endeavor. Central to this approach is the use of a learning experience platform (LXP), an AI-powered digital tool that analyzes employees’ preferences, job roles, and learning history to create an enhanced learning experience. 

“To develop employees, you need to have great tools, and an LXP is a great tool,” Robinson said. “The platform fosters a culture of self-directed growth, enabling employees to develop skills tailored to their roles and aspirations to drive success at the credit union.”

Robinson’s dedication to enhancing employee development formed the basis of the business case that she presented during the competition phase of the 2024 CUES Emerge program, a free, monthslong professional development program for up-and-coming credit union professionals. Offered by CUES in partnership with Currency Marketing, the program includes live online courses, mastermind sessions, and peer collaboration, culminating in the development of individual business cases.

From a cohort of 36 program participants, Robinson was selected as one of five finalists to present their business cases in a live online pitch show on Oct. 2, hosted by Currency CEO Tim McAlpine. Her business case, highlighting the importance of an enhanced learning experience, was judged the standout among five excellent presentations, earning her the title of the 2024 CUES Emerging Leader. 

Those who work closest with Robinson were not surprised by her win. “Shanece embodies the spirit of the CUES Emerging Leader award, making all those who work with her better,” said Steve Shaffner, SHRM-SCP, Chief Operating Officer at Sharonview, based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. “Her winning business case demonstrates her forward-thinking vision and commitment to empowering employees with the knowledge to grow in their careers. I have no doubt that Shanece will continue to be a leader and innovator in the credit union industry.”

“Shanece is a deserving winner due to her exceptional leadership skills, innovative thinking, and her commitment to driving positive outcomes for our team and organization,” affirmed Carlos Peay, Assistant Vice President/Organizational Development and Engagement. “Winning underscored her ability to inspire and lead in ways that align with our organization’s mission and vision. Shanece’s combination of leadership, expertise in the L&D field, and vision has been invaluable for our team and has allowed us to elevate our performance.”

Passionate About Development

Robinson’s journey to a career in learning and development began in her home state of Ohio, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio University in Athens. A few years later, she followed up that degree with an MBA from Walden University.

By then, she had relocated to the Charlotte, North Carolina, metro area, which includes Fort Mill, and had accepted a job as a member experience representative at Sharonview FCU in 2015. She quickly advanced to a position as branch manager. “While serving in that role, I came to understand that I was truly passionate about helping employees grow and develop,” Robinson said. 

Though she thoroughly enjoyed working at Sharonview, Robinson reluctantly opted to leave the organization in March 2020 to earn some specialized experience in learning and development. When she had the opportunity to rejoin to Sharonview FCU two years later for a job within her chosen field, she jumped at the chance.

“By that point, I had some training and experience in creating learning courses and creating content,” Robinson said. “So, I thought, ‘Why not go back to the organization that I love and do the thing that I love to do?’ So, I returned to Sharonview in 2022 as an instructional designer, and in 2023, I was promoted to a team lead of learning and development. It’s been a unique journey, and I'm so enthusiastic about doing what I love.”

Beyond One-Size-Fits-All

Robinson’s commitment to an enhanced learning experience derives from her belief that traditional training methods are not adequate in meeting employees’ diverse needs or aligning them with organizational goals. “The one-size-fits-all strategy hinders skill development and engagement while scattered learning resources decreased productivity and performance,” she said.

As she described in her CUES Emerge business case, Robinson sees AI as a game-changer for learning and development. She is especially excited about the benefits of using an LXP, noting that it empowers employees to take charge of their learning journey by offering a wide range of resources for continuous self-directed learning in a centralized platform. Through AI-driven algorithms, the LXP assesses the employee’s individual skillsets and makes course recommendations and educational resources that are suited to their individual needs and interests.

“Just like Netflix, YouTube or Pinterest push content to you based upon your viewing habits or what you expressed interest in, an LXP will recommend relevant information to you, but in a learning context,” Robinson explained. “Using this approach keeps employees more engaged in the learning content and their learning journey. It provides bite-size, on-demand content that fits the employee’s busy schedule. There is also a social learning component within the LXP that connects employees with their peers and industry experts.”

Robinson also sees the LXP as an important career planning tool that can help employees achieve the future that they envision for themselves. “There are goals you can set for yourself in conjunction with your learning development team, and the LXP will create specific curriculums and content that will keep that top of mind so that you can target what you’re interested in,” she said. “Employees can learn how they want, what they want, and when they want to learn it. It’s something that can help drive employee retention and employee engagement. And the more engaged your employees are, the better they are at providing an exceptional member experience.”

Based on the strength of Robinson’s business case, Sharonview is now in the process of considering how to implement an LXP for professional development within the organization. “Everyone here has bought into the idea, so it’s just a matter of when,” she reported. “We’re still in the early stages, but hopefully we’ll move forward sooner rather than later. Tools that use generative AI are becoming a driving force in our industry, and I’m firmly convinced that now is the time for an LXP.”

The CUES Emerge Experience

As the CUES Emerging Leader, Robinson received a prize package consisting of a free registration to attend CUES Advanced Management Program and a leadership assessment and coaching sessions from executive coaching and education firm Envision Excellence. Having taken advantage of the coaching, Robinson already is experiencing a positive impact.

“It’s helping me take the steps toward where I want to go,” she reported. “I’m hoping that this will help get me to my future aspirations of being a leader within a learning and development capacity. My goal is to lead a team in creating innovative learning solutions, enhancing the employee experience.”

Beyond the prize package, Robinson received many professional benefits from interacting with a group of 35 other committed professionals who participated in the CUES Emerge program. “I thought the program was phenomenal,” she said. “There were multiple components, but what I most enjoyed were the breakout sessions. Having the opportunity to have small-group discussions about what’s working at our credit unions and what challenges we’re facing, to brainstorm and learn from each other, and to take ideas back to our respective credit unions was one of the most impactful things for me.”

Though the 2024 edition of CUES Emerge has come to an end, Robinson plans to maintain the relationships she developed during the program. “I look forward to continuing to engage and converse with these individuals,” she reported. “They have such brilliant minds, and I know we can continue to learn from one another.”

After having a positive experience participating in the CUES Emerge Program, Robinson would recommend it to anyone who aspires to further their career in the credit union industry. She is grateful to CUES CEO Heather McKissick, CUES Senior Director of Meetings and Digital Events Sara Dyer and her CUES team members, Currency Marketing CEO Tim McAlpine, Envision Excellence, the masterminds, speakers, judges, and others for their roles in the program.

“I look forward to applying everything that I learned to enhance my skillsets as a leader and be that individual who continues to provide solutions, to be innovative, and to find ways to help my credit union out,” Robinson said. “Thanks to all those involved in creating and orchestrating this well-structured and well-executed program.”

Diane Franklin is a longtime contributor to CU Management magazine.