Economic, regulatory, technological and cultural issues are influencing the industry landscape as never before, making leadership and its responsiveness critical. This category acknowledges those leading and guiding key decisions, including strategy, product development, hiring, improving internal culture and more, in successful, innovative and dynamic ways. It will recognize those making the decisions that matter most and that support bold strategies producing both quantitative and qualitative results for their organization and the broader financial-services community.

Open to those professionals leading community-focused efforts that serve as role models of both excellence and demonstrable impact with demonstrable (and replicable) results. Ideal candidates have put into practice innovative approaches and partnerships that serve charitable goals and produce meaningful philanthropic results. These efforts can include specific policies, programs and philanthropic efforts that build and improve upon the credit union cooperative principles.

This category is open to young credit union professionals who’ve shown great potential within their organization. This deserving individual has developed new skills, taken on new responsibilities, and worked on initiatives that have propelled their credit union forward. This is an acknowledgement of the newer generation of credit union employees who show a real skill and passion for making the industry better for everyone.

Open to those credit unions leading community-focused efforts that serve as role models of both excellence and demonstrable impact with demonstrable (and replicable) results. Ideal credit union candidates have put into practice innovative approaches and partnerships that serve charitable goals and produce meaningful philanthropic results. These efforts can include specific policies, programs and philanthropic efforts that: incorporate financial professionals’ skills, knowledge and strengths within their respective local communities; demonstrate how they are giving back in related areas tied to the credit union cooperative principles.

Open to credit unions that view technology enhancements, updates and rollouts as a core competency in serving their members every day. These technologies come into play in a variety of ways: Mobile and digital banking improvements, the time- and labor-intensive core system conversion projects and creating new partnerships with fintech providers. The updates provide a digital-first focus for members to better connect them to the products and services, which translates into growth for the credit union and potentially the industry.