LAS VEGAS–Several people were honored for their contributions during the African American Credit Union Coalition’s annual meeting here.Held in conjunction with the CU Leadership Convention and with more than 1,000 people on hand, the event honored Debbie Smith, CEO of Georgia United Credit Union with the 2024 Renée Sattiewhite Neoteric Changemaker Award.
Smith was recognized for “her decades-long commitment to developing people, building community, displaying authenticity and providing exemplary leadership. The award honors those who have demonstrated personal perseverance, advanced the cause of people, helping people, advocated for relevant ideation, and created positive programming for leaders.
“The unique name of the award was selected because it represents the literal meaning of the word neoteric: A modern person who advocates for new ideas,” the AACUC said.
It is named after the award’s inaugural recipient, Renee Sattiewhite, president & CEO of AACUC.
Dan Berger, retired CEO of NAFCU, and Sandra DeVoe Bland, chair of SRP Federal Credit Union, who each received the 2024 Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award for their sustained excellence, significant contribution to credit unions in need and constructive impact on the infrastructure, growth, legislative, regulatory, image and/or service delivery capacity of the credit union community.”
The award is named for credit union pioneer and retired CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions Pete Crear.
‘Best Yet’
“This year’s event was our best yet thanks in large part to the board and executive team at AACUC and the passion and energy AACUC members brought to the event,” Dennis Sullivan, chairman of the CU Leadership Convention, said in a statement. “This year’s conference was an opportunity to not just talk the talk but walk the walk to bring more innovative solutions to the challenges facing credit union leaders. If there was ever a time that we needed to come together, it is now.”
Added Sattiewhite, “This partnership was a success for us as it allowed us to provide a larger conference experience at scale for our members. We’re grateful for the welcoming spirit from the CU Leadership team and the opportunity to share the AACUC mission of diversity and inclusion and our unique member experience to one of our largest audiences yet.”