The Foundation Dinner Presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
Celebrating the innovators of the credit union movement.
About the Foundation Dinner
The Foundation Dinner is our primary fundraising event. The generosity and support of attendees and sponsors directly affects our ability to catalyze change through credit unions.
A mainstay of the annual event is the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards ceremony—the credit union movement’s highest national honors.
Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
The Herb Wegner Memorial Awards were established in 1988 to honor the memory of Herbert G. Wegner. The National Credit Union Foundation is proud to recognize leaders, programs and organizations that, like Herb Wegner, make a lasting impact on the credit union movement.
Nominations for the 2024 Herb Wegner Memorial Awards are not currently open.
2023 Herb Wegner Memorial Award winners
Linda Bodie
For decades, Linda Bodie, CEO + Innovator at Element Federal Credit Union, has had a head-down, sleeves-up approach to improving the credit union system. Her tireless pursuit of innovation has helped credit unions (particularly the smallest) understand the challenges and opportunities to staying relevant in an increasingly disrupted marketplace—all to ensure the system can meet its mission of improving financial well-being for all.
Bodie was recognized with an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award.
Linda Bodie, CEO + Innovator, Element Federal Credit Union
Brian Branch
In early 2021, Dr. Brian Branch announced his retirement as President & CEO of the World Council (WOCCU). It marked the conclusion of a decades-long career spent bringing the credit union difference to where it was most needed, no matter how distant or dangerous.
Branch was recognized with an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award.
Dr. Brian Branch, former President & CEO, WOCCU
Bill Cheney
As CEO of California’s SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Cheney has overseen a sustained period of incredible growth—doubling membership and almost tripling in asset size since 2015. This has been accomplished through a relentless commitment to world-class, personal service; ensuring measurable outcomes for his 1.2 million members’ financial well-being, and supporting the U.S. and global credit union movement both financially and strategically.
Cheney was recognized with an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award.
Bill Cheney, CEO, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Winona Nava
Ask someone who knows her well to pinpoint the most impressive thing Winona Nava has accomplished during her nearly half-century career with New Mexico credit unions. They’ll struggle to decide. After all, when career highlights include taking over a credit union in conservatorship—then growing its assets from $10 million to $270 million—playing a key role in convincing your state to pass legislation that allows people to get a driver’s license without citizenship documentation, and spending 16 years combating predatory lending and helping pass legislation that lowered the interest rate cap from 175% to 36% … it’s pretty hard to choose.
Nava was recognized with an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award.
Winona Nava, President & CEO, Guadalupe Credit Union
Relive the 2023 Foundation Dinner celebration
From the red carpet to the ballroom
The 2023 Herb Wegner Memorial Award winners
The 2023 Foundation Dinner was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Champion Sponsor
Catalyst Sponsor
Hero Sponsors
Philanthropist Sponsors
AACUL • Alaska USA FCU • Alloya Corporate FCU • ALM First • America’s Credit Union Museum/Members Mobile • American Share Insurance/Excess Share Insurance • Bellco CU • California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues • Carolina Trust FCU • Carolinas Credit Union League • CDFI Puerto Rico LLC • Civic FCU/LGFCU • Community Financial CU • Cornerstone Advisors • Cornerstone Foundation • Corporate One FCU • Credit Union Association of New Mexico • CUNA • CUNA Councils • GECU • Gesa Credit Union • GoWest CU Association/Unitus Community CU • Greylock FCU • Guadalupe CU • Illinois Credit Union League/Envisant • Interra CU • Jack Henry • Kinecta FCU • Lake Trust Credit Union • League of Southeastern Credit Unions • Listerhill CU • Mazuma CU • Metro CU • Michigan Credit Union League • OneAZ CU • Premiere America CU • PSCU • PSECU • Redwood Credit Union • SavvyMoney • Trellance • University FCU • Visions FCU • Wisconsin Credit Union League • World Council of Credit Unions/Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions
Get in touch
For more information on the Foundation Dinner
Contact Jenni Speth, Engagement Senior Manager
Jenni manages the planning and execution of all Foundation major events and works directly with the Engagement Director to enhance donor experiences.