
The National Credit Union Foundation Celebration
Celebrating the true purpose of our movement & those who work tirelessly to improve it.
March 2, 2021
Virtual
The 2021 National Credit Union Foundation Celebration
While we wish we could be in person for 2021, we accept that it wouldn’t be safe. With that, the Foundation has decided not to give out Wegner Awards in 2021 as we want to honor new winners the way they should be, in person with family and friends.
The Foundation is excited to announce that sponsorship and viewing packages are available for purchase for the 2021 Foundation Celebration, a virtual event spotlighting Wegner Award winners of the past.

Celebration Awardee Spotlights
The Foundation Celebration will provide an opportunity to catch up with some of our favorite industry pioneers & past Wegner Award winners including:
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William "Bill" J. Bynum
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The Cooperative Trust
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Diana R. Dykstra
Sponsored by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
President/CEO of the California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues
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Larry Blanchard, CUDE
Sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group
Consultant, Corporate & Legislative Affairs at CUNA Mutual Group
1999 Wegner Award winner
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Lois Kitsch, CUDE
Sponsored by Metro Credit Union
Co-founder, CUDifference
2004 Wegner Award winner
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Maria Martinez, CUDE
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Maurice R. Smith
Sponsored by Civic Federal Credit Union & Local Government Federal Credit Union
CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union
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Tom Dorety
Sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union
Retired President/CEO of Suncoast Credit Union
Event Details
The Foundation Celebration
When: March 2, 2020
Where: Virtual – we are bringing the celebration to you!
Attire: Dress to impress (from the waist up)
The Foundation Celebration provides a a fun “night out” for our movement to get dressed up, experience interviews with some of our favorite past Wegner Award winners with help from emcee Andy Janning, support the National Credit Union Foundation and an opportunity to get re-energized with passion for the difference we make as credit unions.
The Wegner Awards are the highest honors in the credit union system and are given to organizations and individuals whose tireless dedication, innovative ideas and deeds truly revolutionized the ways that credit unions serve their communities. The Foundation Celebration will provide an opportunity to catch up with some of our favorite industry pioneers & past award winners.

Sponsorship & Viewing Packages
- INSPIRE– $10,000
Sponsor a Wegner Awardee spotlight
- RESPOND– $5,000
Inspirational on-screen ad
- IMPACT – $2,500
Asset size $501M & above
- ADVOCATE – $1,500
Asset size $51M – $500M OR State Leagues/Foundations
- PARTNER – $500
Asset size $50M & below
- INDIVIDUAL – $100

Why Attend?
When you attend the Foundation Celebration, you are supporting the National Credit Union Foundation. People need credit unions now more than ever, and the Foundation exists to help credit unions put their best foot forward to meet members where they are in life. The Foundation enhances the work of credit unions through grants and resources to put financial well-being at the center of their strategy, training and tools to empower a culture of living their values and mechanisms to facilitate disaster relief efforts.
Credit unions and the Foundation have a shared purpose and together, we are truly boundless.

2020 Event Coverage
The Foundation Dinner Presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards is the primary fundraising event for the Foundation. As one of our pillars of work, it also serves to inspire attendees to remember the reasons why our credit union movement is special and the impact we have upon people’s financial lives.
Last year’s dinner took place on February 24th, 2020 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. 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:

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.
The awards are presented each year at a special event in conjunction with the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC).

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
Diana R. Dykstra – California.
Nusenda Credit Union Foundation – New Mexico.
2018
Angel V. Castro – Panama.
Bill Hampel – District of Columbia.
Chuck Purvis – North Carolina.
2017
Stan Hollen – California.
The Cooperative Trust – Wisconsin.
2016
William J. Bynum – Mississippi.
Clarence Hall, Jr. – Mississippi.
Iowa Credit Union League – Iowa.
See all past Herb Wegner Award Winners2021 Foundation Celebration Sponsors
Thank you to our event sponsors! Their support of the Foundation Celebration makes all the difference.
Inspire Sponsors
Bellco Credit Union • Civic Federal Credit Union & Local Government Federal Credit Union • CUNA Mutual Group • Filene & PSCU • FIS • MasterCard • Metro Credit Union • Patelco Credit Union • Schools First Federal Credit Union • Suncoast Credit Union • Vystar Credit Union • Zest AI
Respond Sponsors
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union • Alloya Corporate Credit Union • California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues • CSS • Defense Credit Union Council • Illinois Credit Union League & LSC • Open Lending
Support the Foundation
Invest in better financial futures for people across America.
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.