Professional Award Programs

About the Awards Program

There is no greater honor celebrating the spirit of the Northwest credit union movement than being nominated for an award as a credit union professional. These awards honor individuals in the categories of the Young Credit Union Professional Award, Innovation & Impact Award and also the NWCUA Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards are both administered and presented on behalf of the Northwest Credit Union Foundation, and are awarded at the Summit Awards Dinner & Gala held during the annual NWCUA Amplify Cconvention. Individuals are nominated and individually interviewed as part of the nomination process. Self nomination is also encouraged and welcomed with respect to the categories that allow it. Please see each award below for information, and to apply online.

Young Credit Union Professional

The Young Credit Union Professional Award is designed to engage, promote, and recognize the next generation of credit union professionals in the Northwest credit union movement. This award, created for credit union professionals age 35 and under, aims to foster commitment to the development of credit unions in the years ahead. The candidate should meet the following criteria:

  • Be 35 years of age or under at the time of the application.
  • Provide service to the credit union community outside the usual scope of employment or volunteer activity at a credit union.
  • Demonstrate expertise and dedication to serving as a strong advocate for credit unions.
  • Possess the willingness to go above and beyond their job description, demonstrating leadership, and as a result attaining individual achievement.
  • Provide service to their credit union, civic community through volunteerism, or charitable works.

To nominate a Young Credit Union Professional, please click here.

Innovation & Impact Award

Formerly titled the Credit Union Professional of the Year Award, the newly minted Innovation & Impact Award recognizes excellence within the Northwest credit union system. This category is open to credit union professionals whose outstanding accomplishments should have been achieved during the past three (3) years. Self nomination is accepted for this award. The candidate should meet the following qualifications:

  • The development of innovative, successful credit union policies, practices, operations, and services to members within his/her own institution.
  • The achievement of a major accomplishment within the credit union or the credit union industry that has had a positive impact on the organization and membership.
  • Currently employed by an affiliated credit union of the Northwest Credit Union Association.
  • A credit union professional for a minimum of three (3) years.
  • Demonstrated dedication to the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”
  • Involved in a leadership role in civic, business, charitable or community activities.

To nominate yourself or a credit union professional for the Innovation & Impact Award, please click here.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the NWCUA

New to the NWCUA Awards Program, The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a credit union professional who exemplifies outstanding overall and sustained leadership in the credit union movement with respect to social responsibility, CU philosophy, advocacy efforts, and community impact. This award is governed by the NWCUA Awards Committee with respect to the criteria, but is determined by the NWCUA president & CEO and Board Chair. Candidates for this award are selected by the NWCUA Executive Leadership & Board Chair with the award recipient being selected byways of vote by their peers, those being Chief Executive and Senior Level officers within the credit union community. This award is determined year by year based on the recommendation of the NWCUA Executive Leadership & Board Chair. The criterion for consideration of the award is as follows:

  • Demonstrated outstanding accomplishments as a credit union leader.
  • Participated in community, civic, and/or charitable activities in a leadership role.
  • Dedicated time and effort in participation in credit union education/career development programs to achieve a higher level of knowledge and expertise about credit unions.
  • Contributed in an exemplary manner to enrich the lives of credit union members or fellow citizens in the community.
  • Demonstrated leadership in promoting credit union philosophy and uniqueness through specific activities for members of the community.

For more information on this award, please contact Josalyn Alston, NWCUA at jalston@nwcua.org; 206.340.4814.