Deborah A Wege: 2025 Herb Wegner Memorial Award Winner 

Celebrating Unsung Heroes in the Credit Union Movement 

In the vibrant world of credit unions, awards often shine a spotlight on well-known CEOs whose leadership and organizational impact inspire us all. Their emotional journeys and accomplishments fuel our belief in credit unions. Yet, it’s equally important to acknowledge the countless unsung heroes whose dedication and passion might not always make the headlines but whose contributions are just as invaluable. 

One such individual is Deborah A. Wege, International Credit Union Development Educator (I-CUDE), and Cooperative Community Advocate at BECU. Debbie embodies the spirit of the credit union mission, bringing joy, kindness, and a relentless commitment to service every day. Her willingness to support others, share her insights, and guide colleagues through challenges exemplifies what it means to truly believe in our cause. 

When people enter the credit union industry for the first time, the concept of “people helping people” can be new, often leading to confusion about the differences between a bank and a credit union. However, this all changes when they encounter someone like Debbie, who makes it remarkably clear that mission matters. For her, this philosophy transcends words, it becomes a resolve that underscores her purpose and motivates her work. Debbie is truly one of the individuals who embodies the spirit of improving the financial lives of all people. 

Many in our industry have had the pleasure of meeting Debbie, who has been a passionate advocate for financial inclusion since joining BECU in 1990 as a Loan Officer. Her gentle soul and disarming smile create an emotional connection with everyone she meets. She quickly transitioned from Loan Officer to Financial Counselor and Educator, developing and conducting custom BECU financial education programs and budgeting services for members and schools in the community.  

Between 1994 and 2004, Debbie took on roles within the Learning and Development department at BECU, sharing her extensive knowledge of the credit union movement, its history, and its philosophy, which she incorporated into new employee orientation programming. In 1997, she also worked with a cultural consultant to co-design and institute the first-ever diversity training for the credit union. She was chosen as the sole facilitator of the program at that time. 

While some might say Debbie professionally “grew up” in the credit union industry with more than 34 years of experience, it was her certification as a I-CUDE in 1993 that truly uncovered her purpose. This achievement empowered her to guide the credit union philosophy through the work she does every day, reinforcing her commitment to the cooperative principles. 

Debbie’s deep understanding of these principles led her to recognize and reward volunteerism within the credit union. She launched employee volunteer programs, celebrating individuals and groups of employees who support causes impacting BECU’s membership and community. Accessibility and reaching the next generation are central to her mission. 

She knows that equitable access to financial services is essential for future members to achieve financial success. In this capacity, she managed the Financial Education Program, broadening its reach to schools, conducting more financial reality fairs, and more. Debbie intentionally sought out key community partners, linking financial education to their strategic missions, and developed BECU-branded Savertooth Classroom Financial Education kits for elementary students, engaging classrooms throughout BECU’s extensive footprint. She was instrumental in establishing the first giving strategy at BECU increasing BECU’s commitment to community from around $100k a year to over 3.5MM from 2004 – 2016 – and increased BECUs scholarship program from $50k a year to over $200k reaching over 80 student members a year, in addition to building meaningful relationships with community partners. 

As evidenced by her career alone, her focus—regardless of her job description—has always included the necessity of ensuring that all 1.475 million members’ financial lives are improved through the credit union movement. This includes deep-dive Purpose Workshops that help BECU staff connect to the why of credit unions with their own personal passions and impact. Creating similar workshops for credit unions in the PNW as well. 

Beverly Anderson, president, and chief executive officer of BECU, reflects on this, stating, “When I joined BECU less than two years ago, I quickly became aware of the impact Debbie has at BECU and across the credit union and cooperative movement alike. Her impact is grounded in a deep commitment to the cooperative principles and a tenacious, tireless advocacy for credit unions and the role we play in improving the financial lives of every member we collectively serve. Debbie’s passion for the work is matched only by her desire to ensure everyone she encounters understands why credit unions matter in every community across the country. Over her lengthy career, she has done this in a number of ways, including serving on boards and being an active voice in industry organizations.” 

Thanks to Debbie’s contributions, numerous credit unions are now better equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s financial landscape. For every person and organization, she has touched, each has a personal story of how she influenced change. Her story reminds us that every act of kindness, and every moment of support contributes to the greater good of our communities.  

Let us celebrate Debbie and all the unsung heroes who inspire us to make a difference every day!