Michael Valentine: 2025 Herb Wegner Memorial Award Winner

Making an Impact on the Credit Union Movement
In the ever-evolving landscape of the credit union industry, few individuals shine as brightly as Mike Valentine. Over the past 40 years, Mike has made an indelible mark through his unwavering commitment to fostering a shared purpose of financial well-being for all.
Mike’s journey in the credit union movement is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities and vision. Admirably, he joined forces with four other CEOs as founding sponsors of the Foundation’s Financial Well-being For All initiative.
Alongside his peers, Mike has consistently been at the forefront of the Foundation’s mission to improve people’s financial lives through credit unions. His commitment to reducing financial stress, boosting financial confidence, and recognizing that financial, physical, and mental health are all critical components of overall well-being dates back to his very first day at Baxter Credit Union (BCU), then a $15 million institution. Since that day, Mike has been changing lives for the better, every day.
Building on BCU’s original single-sponsor model, Mike has introduced innovative strategies that advance the credit union’s purpose of empowering people to discover financial freedom. BCU’s strong partnerships with multiple prominent organizations like Target, Edwards Lifesciences, UnitedHealth Group, Cardinal Health, Baxter Healthcare, Boston Scientific, GEICO, and HCA Healthcare have helped cultivate a people-first culture that embodies the credit union industry’s “people helping people” philosophy. Under Mike’s leadership and the gracious contributions of the Board members who represent these organizations, BCU’s partnerships have played a key role in growing its assets from $225 million in 1994, when he became CEO, to $6.4 billion today.
Mike freely and generously offers his time and talent to help others. He has served as a board member for some of the largest system providers, including the Filene Research Institutes Research Council, Members Development Company, CUNA CEO Council Executive Committee, CUFinHealth Advisory Council, and VISA Senior Client Advisory Council, making a significant difference in every dialogue and decision. His leadership roles extend to chairing boards like TruStage, PSCU Financial Services, and Bonifi, where his influence is felt deeply.
If there is a need, Mike is there. Generosity is his first instinct. What’s unique about Mike is his ability to unearth opportunities to offer compassion, assistance, and guidance where others wouldn’t even see the need. If there’s a credit union-related event, you can count on Mike to be front and center. He embodies the spirit of collaboration, inspiring others with a “what would Mike do?” mindset to lend a hand—both personally and professionally. His integrity is unmatched; he consistently does the right thing, even when no one is watching. Mike is one of the most selfless individuals, always giving more than he takes in any relationship.
Many of the CEOs who have worked under Mike’s leadership have gone on to drive success at other credit unions, yet Mike believes in empowering his team to pursue their own opportunities. He encourages his leaders to go out and do big things in the world, leading by example and demonstrating the importance of helping others. His team members regularly volunteer and contribute at industry conferences and system committees, making themselves available to assist credit unions and their members.
Mike’s authenticity as a leader makes everyone feel comfortable, regardless of their position or the size of their credit union. He sees the best in everyone and desires the best for all. His daily impact resonates throughout the industry, benefiting our members, employees, and the communities we serve. Mike Valentine’s commitment to financial well-being, credit union employee development, and member experience continues to inspire leaders everywhere and guide our industry’s ongoing success.
At the heart of Mike’s philosophy is his motto: “Put the member first.” He strives to work from the end user inward, always considering the value that members and prospective members will derive from any product, service, location, or message.
What began as a single-sponsored credit union serving only the employees and families of Baxter Healthcare has, with intention, grown to serve multiple Fortune 100 companies with employees in all 50 states, as well as communities in northeastern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and any subscriber of the Credit Union’s financial well-being CUSO, Life. Money. You. The spirit of this expanded footprint for BCU eligibility is grounded in open and voluntary membership, not growth for growth’s sake.
As Chuck Fagan, President & CEO of Velera states, “The most valuable aspect of what Mike brings is his passion for seeing others succeed. This passion is pointed towards the industry, members, his team, partner organizations to BCU, and others throughout our system. Mike has a unique ability to establish deep partnerships that are mutually beneficial and position them to where you do not want to let him down. Our organization places such a high value in having Mike as one of our most loyal partners because of the influence he has on our system.”
If we all lived by the motto “Be Like Mike,” we could elevate the credit union movement to even greater heights. Let us celebrate a cooperative leader whose influence continues to inspire and uplift all those around him.