The Foundation Dinner Presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
Celebrating the innovators of the credit union movement.
About the event
The Foundation Dinner is our primary fundraising event. The generosity and support of the event’s sponsors directly affects the Foundation’s ability to catalyze change through credit unions nationwide.
A mainstay of the annual event is the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards ceremony.
Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2023 Herb Wegner Memorial Awards. Submissions for the awards require extensive demonstration of a nominee’s commitment to improving people’s financial lives, in addition to industry-wide support.
Nominations can be made in two categories:
- Outstanding Individual Achievement, honoring an individual dedicated to promoting the credit union philosophy, whose leadership has had a lasting impact on the credit union movement.
- Outstanding Organization or Program, honoring innovative institutions or initiatives that have measurably improved the local, national or international credit union system.
To submit a nomination, please complete and return the Herb Wegner Memorial Award Nomination Packet with a minimum of five supportive references. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Central, Friday, July 29, 2022.
The winners are determined by a committee of credit union affiliated leaders and ratified by the Foundation’s board.
Outstanding Individual Achievement Award
- Lucy Ito, retired President & CEO, NASCUS (VA)
- Roger Heacock, retired President & CEO, Black Hills Federal Credit Union (SD)
Outstanding Organization Award
- Faith Based Credit Union Alliance (IL)
The Anchor Award is a rare accolade. It stands apart from the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards (although is presented during the event) and is given by the Foundation Board of Directors.
In 2022, it was presented to the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) in recognition of its global efforts to unite financial industries in eradicating racism. Read more.
Prior to 2022, the Anchor Award was last presented to Brett Martinez, president and CEO of Redwood Credit Union, in 2019.
The Herb Wegner Memorial Awards are named in honor of the late Credit Union National Association (CUNA) CEO.
The Herb Wegner Memorial Awards are the credit union movement’s highest national honors and celebrate individuals and programs that put belief into action.
2022
Faith Based Credit Union Alliance – Illinois
2020
Maurice R. Smith – North Carolina
2019
Crystal Long – Texas
Nusenda Credit Union Foundation – New Mexico
Bill Hampel – District of Columbia
The Cooperative Trust – Wisconsin
2016
William J. Bynum – Mississippi
The 2022 Foundation Dinner sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Catalyst Sponsor
Hero Sponsors
Philanthropist Sponsors
AACUC • AACUL • Alloya Corporate FCU • ALM First Financial Advisors • Bellco CU • California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues • Carolinas Credit Union League • Cornerstone Foundation • Corporate One FCU • CUNA • CUNA Councils • CU Association of New Mexico • Dakota Credit Union Association & BHFCU • Fiserv • GECU • Gesa CU• Lake Trust CU • League of Southeastern Credit Unions • Metro CU • Michigan Credit Union League • Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates • Mountain West Credit Union Foundation • PSCU • Redwood CU • SavvyMoney • Suncoast CU • Trellance • Visions FCU • Wisconsin Credit Union League • Zest AI
Get in touch
For more information on the Foundation Dinner
Contact Jenni Speth, Events & Donor Experience Senior Manager
Jenni manages the planning and execution of all Foundation major events and works directly with the Engagement Director to enhance donor experiences.