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22 leaders & organizations honored for excellence, achievements, and contributions to the credit union movement

Leagues announce annual awards to CU professionals, volunteers, and others

ONTARIO, CA (September 3, 2024) — The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues are honored to announce recipients of this year’s League Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Network Awards!

Twenty-three industry leaders, volunteers, professionals, credit unions, and organizations — including Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Dykstra (retired president and CEO of the Leagues) — will be honored at a special ceremony during REACH 2024. REACH is the industry’s premier annual conference for credit union leaders and guests from October 20-23 in San Diego, CA, hosted by the Leagues.

For 50 years, these unique honors bestowed by the Leagues have culminated each autumn in a nationally recognized, peer-nominated awards program that spotlights some of the credit union movement’s most loyal, sacrificial, and brightest leaders who have dedicated their lives to credit unions and their members.

The Leagues are pleased to announce this year’s award winners:

2024 League Awards

Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award

The California Credit Union League’s highest recognition, honoring excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the California credit union movement. It is named after Leo H. Shapiro, father of the California credit union movement and founder of the California Credit Union League.

  • Diana Dykstra, retired President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.

Distinguished Service Award

Honors credit union professionals’ ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community.

  • Geri LaChance, retired President and CEO of SESLOC Credit Union.

Social Impact Award (individual)

Honors individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.

  • Michelle Winders, Financial Coach at Great Basin Federal Credit Union.
  • Jennifer Oliver, President and CEO of Rize Credit Union.

Social Impact Award (organization)

Honors credit unions that demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.

  • Ventura County Credit Union.
  • California Credit Union.
  1. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award

Honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities.

  • Cleo Bauer-Papagni (posthumous), Board Member at Educational Employees Credit Union.
  • Gary Holmen, Board Chair of Premier America Credit Union.

2024 Advocacy Awards

  • California PAC Advocate of the Year: Rob Greaff, CEO of Delta Schools Federal Credit Union.
  • Nevada PAC Advocate of the Year: Steele Hendrix, President and CEO of Boulder Dam Credit Union.
  • Volunteer of the Year: Stephen Serfozo, Board Member of First US Community Credit Union.
  • Shapiro Advocate of the Year: Jennifer Audette, CEO of POLAM Federal Credit Union.
  • Nevada Advocate of the Year: Matt Kershaw, President and CEO of Clark County Credit Union.
  • California Advocate of the Year: Nicholas Ambrosini, President and CEO of Valley Strong Credit Union.
  • Political Professional of the Year: Brent Tercero, Executive Director of Credit Union Advocacy at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
  • Nevada Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Great Basin Federal Credit Union.
  • California Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Redwood Credit Union.
  • Supplier of the Year: Velera.

2024 League Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Awards

Honors individuals, credit unions, and other organizations’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.

  • Sara Klein, President and CEO of Organized Labor Credit Union (individual).
  • Compliance Plus, Inc. (organization).

2024 Network Awards of Excellence

Honors excellence in volunteerism within League Networks.

  • Chris Loy, Orange County Network (individual) — LMS Administration Manager at Wescom Credit Union.
  • Sacramento Valley Network (network).

“We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to these remarkable leaders and organizations being honored for their dedication, tireless efforts, and steadfast commitment to the credit union movement and its members,” said Scott Simpson, president and CEO of the Leagues. “Their success serves as an inspiration to all of us, and these awards are a testament to their exceptional contributions and the profound impact they’ve made. We are proud to celebrate their achievements, and we look forward to honoring them in person at REACH 2024 in San Diego this October.”

Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Dykstra, retired President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.

About California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues

Headquartered in Ontario, California, the Leagues exist to help credit unions change people’s lives by supporting their operations, guidance, strategy and philosophy. Our trade association helps local credit unions in California serve nearly 14 million members and those in Nevada serve nearly 400,000 members. Credit unions are for people, not profit!

Contacts

Karla Davis
Vice President of Communications and Marketing
California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
media@ccul.org

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