CUES Awards

For Credit Union Professionals

Outstanding Chief Executive

The CUES Outstanding Chief Executive award is presented annually to a credit union industry professional who has rendered exceptional service and/or made outstanding contributions to strengthen their credit union and/or the industry.

2021 Winner: Thomas Ryan CCE, President/CEO, Langley Federal Credit Union. Learn more about Thomas!

Exceptional Leader

The CUES Exceptional Leader award is presented annually to a credit union industry professional who has rendered exceptional service and/or made outstanding contributions to strengthen their credit union and/or the industry.

2021 Winner: Jennifer McHugh, VP of Community Engagement, Royal Credit Union. Learn more about Jennifer!

Hall of Fame

Inductees are nominated by the CUES board of directors for lifetime achievement and contributions to the credit union movement. They are recognized annually for their:

  • Contributions to their profession and the industry
  • Involvement in community service
  • Education and history of self-improvement
  • Contributions to CUES

2021 Winners:
Ed Bergen, CCD, CCE, President/CEO, Sunova Credit Union.
Tyrone Muse, President/CEO, Visions Federal Credit Union
Kit Snyder, CCE, President/CEO, Consumers Credit Union

CUES Emerging Leader
CUES Emerge is a new emerging leader program that combines online learning, peer collaboration and an exciting competition component. 

2021 Winner: Alex Hsu. CCM, VP/Planning & Change Management, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. Learn more about Alex!

For Credit Unions

DEI: Catalyst for Change

CUES is set to recognize and celebrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of credit unions through the new DEI: Catalyst for Change Award. This annual award will go to a credit union that has demonstrated sustained support for advancing DEI in their workplace, raised awareness of workplace diversity and inclusion issues, been a catalyst for change regarding workplace DEI, and/or supported positive change within the industry, their organization, or their community. 

2021 Winner

Great Lakes Credit Union

Bannockburn, Illinois

In 2020, at the direction of the CEO Steve Suggs, Great Lakes Credit Union formalized a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by establishing both a Leadership Project Team and employee committee, with specific internal and external goals to meet.

To ensure accountability, leadership incorporated DEI initiatives into its Score Card goals and strategies, which allows for direct links to compensation with bonus opportunities.

Additionally, the credit union’s housing and marketing teams worked to combat payday and predatory lending. Team members have also partnered with community organizations to address DEI in the community.


For Credit Union Directors
Distinguished Director

CUES Distinguished Director honors strong volunteers whose achievements have strengthened their credit union.

2021 Winner: Joan Nelson, Board Chair, Coastal Credit Union. Learn more about Joan!

Sponsor a CUES Award Today!

CUES believes in celebrating our members, applauding the industry’s highest achievers and encouraging our future leaders to strive for more. Consider sponsoring a CUES Awards today. Awards will be presented virtually in October 2022. 

For more information download the informational flyer below, or contact Kari Sweeney at kari@cues.org.