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Luminate honors exceptional achievements at inaugural Luminate Awards Ceremony

HARAHAN, LA (August 7, 2024) — Luminate proudly celebrated outstanding accomplishments within the Louisiana credit union community at its first-ever Luminate Awards Ceremony held July 25 during the Luminate Conference in New Orleans. The event recognized individuals and credit unions for their exceptional contributions to the credit union sector, underscoring their dedication and innovation.

Award Highlights

Excellence in Marketing Awards recognized outstanding marketing efforts across four categories:

Annual Report: UNO FCU ($0-$50 million in assets), BRECO FCU ($50-$150 million in assets), and Pelican State CU ($150+ million in assets)
Community Outreach: University of Louisiana FCU ($0-$50 million in assets), First Pioneers FCU ($50-$150 million in assets), and Southwest Louisiana CU ($150+ million in assets)
Integrated Campaign: University of Louisiana FCU ($0-$50 million in assets), Ascension CU ($50-$150 million in assets), and OnPath FCU ($150+ million in assets)
Social Media: Post Office Employees CU ($0-$50 million in assets), First Pioneers FCU ($50-$150 million in assets), and La Capitol FCU ($150+ million in assets)

Emerging Leader Award went to Kara Hornosky of Instep FCU. As Marketing Officer at Instep FCU and Vice President of the East Orleans Chapter, Hornosky has led a significant rebrand, managed major conversion projects, and improved internal processes. Hornosky was selected from three finalists, and as the overall winner she will receive a full scholarship to America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference.

Path to Progress Award was presented to Lee Melancon of Ascension CU. Melancon, founder and Executive Director of the Microbusiness Enterprise Corporation of Ascension (MBECA), has been a champion for DEI initiatives since 2003, offering crucial support to underserved communities through various empowerment programs.

Milestone anniversaries were celebrated for the following credit unions:

50 years: Ascension CU and PHI FCU
75 years: Baton Rouge City Parish Employees FCU, First Pioneers FCU, Shreveport Police FCU, and Valex FCU
100 years: Post Office Employees CU

The ceremony concluded with the induction of eleven distinguished individuals into the Luminate Hall of Fame, a prestigious program co-sponsored by Luminate and the Luminate Foundation. The 2024 inductees are:

Peggy Aime, Ascension CU
LeRoy Bourque, Ascension CU
Bonita “Bonnie” Brown, La Capitol FCU
Mary Ginn, La Capitol FCU
Rhonda Hotard, Louisiana FCU
Patricia “Pat” Landry, La Capitol FCU
Louis “Bo” Leporati, Monroe Telco FCU
Laura Melancon, Southwest Louisiana CU
Joel Meredith, Ascension CU
John Oubre, Ascension CU
James “Jimmy” Thibodeaux, La Capitol FCU

The Luminate Conference provided a fitting backdrop for these honors, reflecting the organization’s renewed commitment to illuminating the path forward for credit unions across Louisiana. The event served as a platform for celebrating excellence, fostering collaboration, and envisioning a bright future for the credit union community.

About Luminate

Luminate (formerly the Louisiana Credit Union League) is dedicated to enhancing the financial well-being of credit unions and their members in Louisiana through advocacy, education, and collaboration. By empowering credit unions to thrive and innovate, Luminate aims to illuminate the path forward for the industry.