Baton Rouge, LA (June 2, 2026) |
The Luminate Foundation proudly announces Jeffrey K. Conrad and Sharlene Begnaud as recipients of the 2026 Legends Award, the organization's highest honor.
The Legends Award honors individuals whose dedication, vision, and service have significantly advanced the credit union philosophy of people helping people while shaping the future of the industry through leadership, collaboration, and advocacy.
“Jeffrey K. Conrad and Sharlene Begnaud each embody the heart and purpose of the credit union movement,” said Juan Fernandez, President and CEO of Luminate. “Their leadership has strengthened organizations, empowered communities, and inspired countless individuals across Louisiana and beyond. Their legacies reflect a lifelong commitment to service, innovation, and developing others, and we are proud to recognize them as recipients of the 2026 Legends Award.”
Honoring Jeffrey K. Conrad
Jeff’s leadership has shaped the growth, culture, and future of Pelican Credit Union while honoring its longstanding commitment to people and community. During his nearly 38 years of service, including 29 years as President and CEO, Pelican grew into the largest state-chartered credit union in Louisiana, now serving more than 80,000 members nationwide and surpassing $800 million in assets.
His philosophy has always centered on doing what is right while putting people first. Under his guidance, Pelican modernized operations, expanded 24/7 digital access, and adopted innovative tools that improved convenience for members while preserving the personal service and relationships that define the credit union experience.
Jeff's influence extends far beyond Pelican through initiatives that support financial education, reduce financial stress, and strengthen communities. Programs such as Dollars for A's, Pelican Pays Your Debt, and the School Pride Debit Card initiative reflect his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for members and families across Louisiana.
A respected advocate for the credit union movement, Jeff has also invested deeply in mentorship and leadership development, helping cultivate future leaders within Pelican and throughout the industry. His legacy is defined not only by organizational growth, but by the people, communities, and leaders strengthened through his service.
His enduring impact is reflected not only in organizational growth, but in the culture he created, the people he mentored, and the lives strengthened through his leadership.
Honoring Sharlene Begnaud
For more than 30 years, Sharlene has dedicated her career to advancing the credit union movement through service, mentorship, and collaboration. Her leadership at the Louisiana Credit Union League and Ascension Credit Union helped strengthen credit unions, support members, and foster cooperation across the industry.
Her leadership has been especially transformative within the shared branching movement, where she played a pivotal role in implementing and expanding shared branching throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Through this work, she helped modernize member access to financial services while reinforcing one of the movement’s foundational principles: cooperation among credit unions.
By helping remove traditional barriers to access, Sharlene improved convenience for members while strengthening operational collaboration between institutions. Her efforts elevated shared branching into a critical service model that continues to benefit credit unions and members today.
Sharlene’s impact extends deeply into organizational growth and community engagement. During her time with Ascension Credit Union, she helped the organization double its asset size and contributed to a 35% increase in membership. Beyond financial growth, she fostered a culture centered on trust, service, and meaningful community connection.
Known throughout the industry as a trusted mentor and leader, Sharlene has dedicated her career to developing future leaders within the credit union movement. Many of today’s professionals reflect her guidance, encouragement, and unwavering belief in their potential.
Her legacy is not only measured in accomplishments, but in the countless individuals she has inspired and empowered throughout her decades of service.
Conrad and Begnaud will be formally recognized during the 2026 Luminate Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 23, at 4:00 p.m., where credit union leaders from across Louisiana will gather to celebrate their remarkable contributions and enduring legacy within the movement.
Pelican Credit Union
Ascension Credit Union