CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle (center) poses with Credit Union Magazine 2021 Credit Union Rock Stars at the CUNA Councils' annual breakfast Tuesday at the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference. (Photo by EPNAC.com)
Sponsored by Fiserv, the Credit Union Rock Stars program recognizes the movement’s unique, innovative, and creative people who excel in their areas of expertise—and by doing so make our movement a better, more interesting place.
“Credit Union Rock Stars put innovation on display every year,” says CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle, who welcomed the group. “They’re uniquely suited to serve their members, communities, and co-workers.”
In 2021, credit union leaders nominated more than 200 of their colleagues in credit unions ranging in size from $2.6 million to $26 billion in assets, he notes.
Nussle also lauded CUNA Councils members, which now total nearly 8,000.
“I’m excited to see this national network grow up and grow out,” he says. “It provides us with a dimension that adds so much value to what we do at CUNA. Thank you for what you do and what you give back to the movement.”
CUNA Councils Executive Committee Chair Heather Lally-Voigt, chief operating officer at Community First Credit Union in Neenah, Wis., emceed the event, which featured presentations from this “Fab Four” of Credit Union Rock Stars:
Julie Gamblin, senior vice president/chief administrative officer at True Sky Credit Union in Oklahoma City. She discussed how the credit union transformed its culture.
Gary Hull, assistant vice president of consumer lending at Credit Union of America in Wichita, Kan., who addressed how lending makes a difference in members’ lives.
Tansley Stearns, chief people and strategy officer at Canvas Credit Union in Lone Tree, Colo. She spoke to the need for innovation to improve members’ lives.
Lally-Voigt also announced the creation of a leadership award named for Greg Inman, former CUNA Councils Executive Committee chair and chief operations officer at Neighbors Federal Credit Union in Baton Rouge, La. He died Sept. 28, 2021.
Credit Union Rock Stars are outstanding credit union professionals and directors from a wide range of disciplines who inspire and innovate to advance the missions of their credit unions. The 25 members of the 11th class of Rock Stars were selected for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion.
