ONTARIO, Calif.– The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues has named the recipients of its League Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Network Awards.
According to the leagues, 22 industry leaders, volunteers, professionals, credit unions, and organizations — including Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Dykstra (retired president and CEO of the Leagues) — will be honored at a special ceremony during REACH 2024 Oct. 20-23 in San Diego.
2024 League Awards
The 2024 award winners include:
Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award
The California Credit Union League’s highest recognition, honoring excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the California credit union movement. It is named after Leo H. Shapiro, father of the California credit union movement and founder of the California Credit Union League: Diana Dykstra, retired president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.
Distinguished Service Award
The DSA honors credit union professionals’ ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community: Geri LaChance, retired President and CEO of SESLOC Credit Union.
Social Impact Award (individual)
Honors individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives: Michelle Winders, Financial Coach at Great Basin FCU, and Jennifer Oliver, president and CEO of Rize Credit Union.
Social Impact Award (organization)
Honors credit unions that demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives: Ventura County Credit Union and California Credit Union.
J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award
Honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities: Cleo Bauer-Papagni (posthumous), board member at Educational Employees Credit Union; and Gary Holmen, chair, Premier America Credit Union.
2024 Advocacy Awards
- California PAC Advocate of the Year: Rob Greaff, CEO of Delta Schools Federal Credit Union.
- Nevada PAC Advocate of the Year: Steele Hendrix, President and CEO of Boulder Dam Credit Union.
- Volunteer of the Year: Stephen Serfozo, Board Member of First US Community Credit Union.
- Shapiro Advocate of the Year: Jennifer Audette, CEO of POLAM Federal Credit Union.
- Nevada Advocate of the Year: Matt Kershaw, President and CEO of Clark County Credit Union.
- California Advocate of the Year: Nicholas Ambrosini, President and CEO of Valley Strong Credit Union.
- Political Professional of the Year: Brent Tercero, Executive Director of Credit Union Advocacy at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
- Nevada Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Great Basin Federal Credit Union.
- California Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Redwood Credit Union.
- Supplier of the Year: Velera.
2024 League Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Awards
Honors individuals, credit unions, and other organizations’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions: Sara Klein, President and CEO of Organized Labor Credit Union (individual); Compliance Plus, Inc. (organization).
2024 Network Awards of Excellence: Honors excellence in volunteerism within League Networks: Chris Loy, Orange County Network (individual) — LMS Administration Manager at Wescom Credit Union; and Sacramento Valley Network (network).