With a focus on collaboration for advancing the credit union movement, credit union leagues gathered in Arizona last week for the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) winter conference. They heard from a notable lineup of speakers including NCUA Chairman Todd Harper (virtually), NCUA Board Member Rodney Hood and CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle.

AACUL’s annual conference provides a valuable forum for leagues and other system leaders to share ideas, discuss emerging trends, strategize on advocacy issues, and collaborate to further strengthen the credit union system.

Nussle and National Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Gigi Hyland provided an overview of the Financial Well-Being for All initiative and priorities at the national level. In turn, League executives shared the financial well-being initiatives happening across the states and discussed the myriad of ways Leagues, State Foundations, and credit unions are involved.

A panel discussion with African American Credit Union Coalition President/CEO Renée Sattiewhite, Defense Credit Union Council President/CEO Anthony Hernandez, and Inclusiv President/CEO Cathie Mahon highlighted the ways those organizations are working with Leagues to advance the credit union movement.

The conference brought together league presidents, league service corporation and association executives, league chairs, government and political affairs professionals, CUNA executive committee members, national and state regulators, and system partners. Key discussions focused on advocacy, consumer awareness, innovation, and financial inclusion.

AACUL holds its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the conference during which AACUL members elected the following to serve on the AACUL Board for the coming year.

• John Bratsakis, president/CEO of the MD & DC Credit Union Association;
• Patrick Conway, president/CEO of the CrossState Credit Union Association;
• Brad Douglas, president/CEO of the Heartland Credit Union Association;
• Jeff Olson, president/CEO of the Dakota Credit Union Association;
• Debbie Painter, president/CEO of The Kentucky Credit Union League. 

Olson will serve as Chair, Conway will serve as Vice Chair, and Painter will serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the board.

Other ex-officio members of the AACUL Board include Diana Dykstra, president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues (Immediate Past Chair); Nussle; and Brad Miller, President of AACUL.

Miller was promoted from Executive Director to President of AACUL at the conference.

“For 80 years, AACUL has been setting the standards in developing and promoting servant leadership in the credit union movement,” stated Jeff Olson, newly named AACUL Board Chair and President/CEO of Dakota Credit Union Association. “Under Brad’s leadership, we have been able to continuously grow, modernize, and meet the needs of our evolving membership. Upgrading this position to ‘president level’ for our professional executive organization demonstrates both Brad’s and AACUL’s commitment to providing authentic and intentional leadership in the CUNA-League system."