The credit union movement was founded on a purpose to advance financial well-being, but it moves forward still today because of an unstoppable energy to deliver when it matters.
That energy was unmistakable at this year’s Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. The National Credit Union Foundation added to the collective energy with a unified message from the GAC mainstage to the Foundation Gala, where leaders from across the movement gathered to share stories, celebrate impact, and focus on what comes next for financial well-being.
Statistics may fade or change, but stories stick
From the mainstage at GAC, Foundation Executive Director Lauren Culp reminded thousands of attendees that effective advocacy doesn’t start in a policy briefing. It starts with the stories credit union leaders bring with them.
Those stories might include the member who avoided a predatory loan, the family who kept their home, the small business that survived because their credit union said, “we’ve got you.”
At the heart of each story is a shared identity that has defined credit unions for generations.
“You might say people helping people. Or perhaps you’d define it as improving members’ financial lives,” Culp said. “Whatever label you give it, this shared mission and our shared identity as a movement defines us, binds us together, and makes our stories matter.”
Every life improved, every family supported, and every community strengthened becomes another reason policymakers and millions of Americans begin to recognize the value of credit unions.
Celebrating leaders who power the movement
That same momentum carried into one of the week’s most anticipated gatherings: the National Credit Union Foundation Gala, where more than 1,200 credit union leaders came together to celebrate the 2026 Herb Wegner Memorial Award recipients.
The evening’s theme Where Purpose Meets Energy captured the spirit of both the event and the movement itself, and this year’s Herb Wegner Award honorees exemplify this to a tee:
- Steven Stapp, president and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union
- Kathy Chartier, president and CEO of Members Credit Union
- Gigi Hyland, longtime credit union advocate and philanthropist
In a remarkable milestone, all three of this year’s Wegner Award recipients are graduates of the Credit Union Development Education (DE) program, an achievement that underscores the lasting influence of the program and the leaders it continues to inspire. #BestClassEver.
The energy in the room translated into record support. The Gala raised more than $1 million for the first time, with attendees contributing an additional $32,000+ during the event—more than doubling the $15,000 match generously offered by Zest AI. The event also recognized partners, including returning presenting sponsor Visa, whose support strengthens the Foundation’s ability to expand financial well‑being initiatives nationwide.
What comes next: Turning purpose + energy into action
If improving financial well-being is the movement’s purpose, the next step is ensuring credit unions have the tools and strategies to operationalize it.
According to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households, more than one in four adults in 2025 reported they are “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by.” For far too many, financial well‑being isn’t a long‑term objective, but a daily struggle.
At the Foundation, we’re investing in the practical “how” behind the work to bring financial well-being to life. Because when credit unions activate their “people helping people” superpowers, financial well-being gets delivered.
As Lauren emphasized at GAC, the credit union movement’s greatest opportunity is to turn purpose-fueled energy into coordinated strategic action.
Credit unions are uniquely positioned to provide stability where financial lives are fragile. As our industry builds momentum, the National Credit Union Foundation will remain a partner and guide—helping credit unions turn commitment into measurable impact for the members and communities who depend on us.
