Tracie Kenyon honored with AACUL’s Eagle Award
WASHINGTON, DC (December 15, 2022) —
Tracie Kenyon, President/CEO of Montana’s Credit Unions (MCU), was recognized with the 2022 Eagle Award by the American Association of Credit Union
Leagues (AACUL) during the 2022 AACUL Winter and Annual Meeting last week in Charleston, S.C.
The Eagle Award is AACUL’s highest honor and was established in 1981 to recognize a League President who has an outstanding record of achievement at the League level. Eagle Award winners are willing to speak out and take a stand on critical issues, demonstrate leadership beyond the League level, are innovative in creating or implementing new ideas, maintain an unremitting dedication to credit union and personal principles, and sustain an unflagging focus on important issues.
Kenyon has served as the president/CEO of Montana’s Credit Unions for over 21 years and has dedicated her entire professional career to advancing and championing credit unions and credit union leagues, placing special focus on the heart of the movement: the people and relationships that make the credit union difference. Prior to her 21+ years excelling as Montana’s Credit Union’s president/CEO, Tracie was with the Utah league for six years. Before that, she started her career in credit unions more than thirty years ago as a teller.
Of the award, Kenyon said, “I am humbled and grateful to be honored by my peers with the Eagle Award. As I wind down my time as a league president, I want to put an exclamation point on the importance of leagues in the credit union system. Our role as fierce advocates and conveners helps to assure that there will be a vibrant credit union movement for future generations.”
Under Kenyon’s leadership, MCU garnered – and continually maintains – 100% credit union affiliation. Additionally, over her tenure she initiated two unique opportunities for Montana credit unions: Montana Credit Unions for Community Development, a charitable organization that creatively combines advocacy efforts with outreach and development; and Montana Credit Union League Group Benefit Trust, a self-funded benefit plan for employees of Montana’s credit unions that incorporates wholistic approaches to wellness including financial wellbeing.
“Tracie lives the credit union philosophy and never misses an opportunity to share her knowledge and dedication through countless interviews, speaking engagements, CU strategic plans, and written articles educating and promoting the credit union industry,” praised Jeff Olson, AACUL Chair and President and CEO of the Dakota Credit Union Association. “Tracie is generous with her time in a variety of ways – from mentoring individuals to supporting organizations through board service. There are countless people in our industry who have benefited from Tracie’s insight and support over the years.”
“Tracie is an inclusive, engaged and determined leader. When she was AACUL Chair, Tracie led Leagues through difficult situations – tirelessly and gracefully – by championing collaboration,” shared AACUL President Brad Miller. “Tracie’s passion for people as well as credit unions is both palpable and admirable.”
Kenyon’s service to credit unions extends beyond Montana, including leadership roles on the Boards of Directors for the Credit Union National Association; the American Association of Credit Union Leagues; CULAC; the Filene Research Institute; the National Credit Union Foundation; and Western CUNA Management School. She is a recipient of numerous national recognitions and awards, including the 2017 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award and the 2009 Her Wegner Memorial Award for Montana Credit Unions for Community Development.
Montana’s Credit Unions President/CEO Tracie Kenyon smiles for the camera after being presented with the prestigious 2022 AACUL Eagle Award at AACUL’s winter conference last week.
About American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) is the national association for the state and regional credit union leagues/associations throughout the United States. AACUL’s mission is to leverage the collective power of Leagues to create advocacy wins for credit unions and build a strong network of credit union associations. We do this by providing advocacy support to yield impact, fostering collaboration and professional development for league staff, and representing the League System to the national association and other industry partners in order to protect and advance a vibrant credit union system.
Based in Helena, Montana, Montana’s Credit Unions exists to promote and enhance a thriving credit union community. Its various entities support this mission. Montana currently boasts 48 credit unions, with 130 branches in communities across the state. Those credit unions currently serve more than 412,639 Montanans — who are members and owners of the financial cooperatives. www.mcun.coop
