The opening morning of the America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference set the tone early: credit unions aren’t just a business model—they’re a movement worth defending. In his first GAC address as president and CEO, Scott Simpson welcomed more than 6,200 advocates to Washington and framed cooperative finance as “one of the most successful social movements in the history of America.” His message was simple and sharp: credit unions exist because government allows them to, the model is always under attack, and unity—not size—has always been the movement’s real strength.
Simpson leaned hard into the power of stories over spreadsheets, reminding advocates that one real example of a life changed will always land harder than any chart. With 145 million members behind the movement, he challenged credit union leaders to make policymakers feel that impact—not just understand it. Advocacy this week, he said, isn’t just about priorities and policy; it’s about protecting the humanity that separates credit unions from every other corner of retail finance.
That focus on servant leadership showed up again with the presentation of the 2026 Greg Inman Servant Leadership Award to Nader Moghaddam, CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union. Recognized for more than 27 years of service to the movement, Moghaddam was honored for leading with authenticity, mentoring the next generation, and embodying the “people helping people” mission in practice—not just in principle.
Together, the messages landed cleanly: credit unions win when they stay united, tell their stories, and lead with heart. GAC didn’t open with politics—it opened with purpose.
