The Foundation Dinner Presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
Celebrating the true purpose of our movement and those who work tirelessly to improve it.
About the event
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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.
Date: Monday, February 28, 2022
Location: Marriott Marquis in downtown Washington, D.C.
Sponsorship opportunities are available can be viewed here. Benefits can include special table signage, brand placement across event materials, event signage and more.
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Held in conjunction with CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), the dinner is an opportunity to reconnect with friends, build powerful new relationships and – through the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards – celebrate the innovators of our industry and the lasting impact they have on people’s financial lives.
The last in-person Foundation Dinner occurred in 2020. It shattered all previous attendance records with over 1,000 credit union people gathering to celebrate our awardees, the credit union difference and the Foundation.
Catch up on all the action from the 2020 Foundation Dinner:
Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
The Herb Wegner Memorial Awards are a core part of the Foundation Dinner – celebrating the innovators of our industry and the lasting impact they have on people’s financial lives.
The 2022 Herb Wegner Memorial Award winners are:
Outstanding Individual Achievement Award
- Lucy Ito, President & CEO of NASCUS (VA)
- Roger Heacock, retired President & CEO of Black Hills Federal Credit Union (SD)
Outstanding Organization Award
- Faith Based Credit Union Alliance (IL)
For the first time since 2019, an Anchor Award will be presented at this event. This rare accolade stands apart from the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards and is given to individuals and organizations that have shown incredible leadership through moments of intense adversity.
In 2022, the Foundation is proud to present the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) with the Anchor Award. This honors the AACUC’s leadership in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and throughout the burgeoning Black Lives Matter civil rights movement.
The AACUC united credit unions in a commitment to change, placing industry-wide attention on identifying and eradicating systems and processes that negatively impact people of color.
In Honor of Herb Wegner
Since 1989, the Foundation has presented the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards, which are often referred to as the “Academy Awards” of the credit union movement.
The awards are named in honor of the late Credit Union National Association (CUNA) CEO Herb Wegner, whose tireless dedication, innovative ideas and deeds truly revolutionized the ways that credit unions serve their communities.
These awards are the credit union movement’s highest national honors and celebrate individuals and programs that put belief into action. Their achievements fulfill the mission of promoting financial freedom for millions of people around the world.
Past Recipients of the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
Herb Wegner was a visionary whose tireless dedication, innovative ideas and deeds truly revolutionized the way that credit unions serve their communities.
The awards that bear Wegner’s name recognize credit union leaders whose achievements fulfill the mission of promoting financial freedom for millions of people around the world.
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
Clarence Hall, Jr. – Mississippi
Iowa Credit Union League – Iowa
See all past Herb Wegner Award WinnersThank you to our presenting sponsor!
Catalyst Sponsor
Hero Sponsors
Philanthropist Sponsors
Alloya Corporate CU • Bellco CU • PSCU • Suncoast CU
Sponsor the Foundation Dinner
Sponsorship opportunities are available and benefits can include special table signage, brand placement across event materials, event signage and more.
Get in touch
For more information on the Wegner Awards 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.