The credit union movement’s brightest finance stars were recognized during an awards luncheon ceremony during the CUNA Finance Council Conference, May 21-24, in Anaheim California.

The Recognition Awards are given annually by CUNA’s Finance Council for outstanding collaboration and leadership.

"Finance professionals continue to experience new challenges at their credit unions and yet continue to do amazing work for their CUs as well as the industry as a whole,” said Michelle McClelland, CUNA Finance Council Awards & Recognition Committee Chair and Chief Financial Officer at Prospera Credit Union. "It’s amazing to see the good work done by our three award winners and how they are working to make this industry stronger every day!"

The winners and their accomplishments will be featured in an upcoming issue of Credit Union Magazine.

This year’s award winners are listed below.

• Professional of the Year Award 
1. Alicia Hallam, VP & Controller, Mid-Hudson Valley FCU 

• Rising Star Award 
1. Kenyadda Jones, Analyst, University of Michigan Credit Union

• Top Community Contributor Award
1. Jeff Chelius (winner for 2 consecutive years!), Chief Financial Officer, Riverfront FCU

During the 2023 CUNA Finance Council Conference in Anaheim, Calif., CUNA also recognized several credit unions with Benefits of Membership Awards for the exceptional savings they provide members.

The top credit unions by asset group and the annual savings they provide:

Less than $300 million:

• New York University Federal Credit Union ($569)
• Upward Credit Union, Burlingame, Calif. ($449)

$300 million to $1 billion: 

• Heartland Credit Union, Madison, Wis. ($680)
• On Tap Credit Union, Golden, Colo. ($657)

More than $1 billion:

• Star One Credit Union, Sunnyvale, Calif. ($3,460)
• Dow Credit Union, Midland, Mich. ($1,214)

CUNA’s Benefits of Membership Report provides a customized analysis that compares individual credit union rates and fees to those of local banks, and the resulting financial benefit to members. Learn more here.