Nicole Cooper

AVP of Cards and Payments

Nicole started working as a Client Service Representative in 2014 and joined the Cards and Payments team in December of 2015 as a SettleMINT Account Executive. She also worked in the Quality Control team testing EFT related projects and fixes before moving back to the Cards and Payments team as their Team Lead. Her current role today consists of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Cards and Payments team, providing leadership and guidance to both our Project and Customer Support Specialists. She drives business growth by partnering with our credit union clients to successfully plan, coordinate, and implement card and payment solutions that align with their strategic objectives. Through strategic leadership, operational oversight, and a customer-focused approach, she supports organizational goals while fostering innovation, efficiency, and long-term client success. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, either at the football field or baseball fields. She also loves reading books and baking with her kids.

Linda Stearns

Cards and Payments Customer Support Specialist

Linda started working as a Client Service Representative in 2017 and joined the Cards & Payments team in May 2018 as a SettleMINT Account Executive. She also worked as a Cards & Payments Project Specialist assisting clients with their EFT related projects and training. Linda is now a Client Support Specialist for the Cards & Payments team.

Linda’s primary duties are assisting clients with EFT related questions, including ATM/Debit, Credit cards, Bill Pay, P2P, RTP and Shared Branching. Linda is also a training coordinator for clients that are involved in an EFT Project. She most enjoys working with clients, helping them assist their members more efficiently.

In her free time, Linda loves time with her family, enjoys walking, reading books and watching the sunset. She also loves cooking and baking, especially with her grandkids.

Nick Olchowski

Cards and Payments Project Support Specialist

Nick joined CU*Answers as a Client Service Representative in July 2014. He started a new position on the Lender*VP team as an Account Executive in May 2015. In December 2020 Nick relocated from the CU*Answers main office in Grand Rapids MI to the Innovation Center in Las Vegas NV while continuing to work for the Lender*VP team. In September 2024 Nick joined the Cards & Payments team as a project specialist. His primary role is implementing EFT and bill pay-related projects.

Nick enjoys, “Getting credit unions to the finish line with their projects. Most projects begin about six months from the live date – often with many moving parts. It is a joy to see happy clients at the end of a long process.”

In his free time, Nick likes hiking, fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Hannah Dawson

Cards and Payments Project Support Specialist

Hannah joined the Cards & Payments team as a Project Specialist in January 2026 after 6 years of experience in the credit union industry.

Hannah’s primary responsibilities include coordinating with clients and vendors during cards and payments related projects with the goal of making the process as seamless as possible for everyone.

Hannah most enjoys, working with clients and all the learning opportunities she encounters every day.

In her free time, Hannah likes to spend time with her family, travel and watch sports – especially baseball.

Kaylee Russell

Cards and Payments Project Support Specialist

Bio Coming Soon!

Eric Walsh

Cards and Payments Project Support Specialist

Eric started as a Client Service Representative in 2025; he joined the Cards and Payments team in the role of a Project Specialist in May 2026. Eric enjoys working with clients and helping them with their credit and debit card projects. In his free time, Eric is a Girl Dad to his three daughters alongside his wife and enjoys riding his bike and watching football in the fall. He is a fan of Notre Dame and the Detroit Lions.