The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues were pleased to ceremonially honor recipients of this year’s League Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Network Awards on the last day of the REACH 2023 conference!
(View and download event photos from the REACH 2023 Photo Galleries)
Twenty-four industry leaders, volunteers, professionals, credit unions, and organizations — including Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Lucy Ito (interim president and CEO of Orange County’s CU) — were officially honored on stage at a special luncheon on Thursday.
“These leaders, volunteers, professionals, credit unions, and organizations have all make their unique and enduring mark on our movement,” said Diana Dykstra, president and CEO of the Leagues. “For this, we celebrate their impressive work and spirit that has made them true leaders who we recognize as visionaries and heroes.”
Ito said she never expected to be standing on stage with such a prestigious award. “It’s other individuals who made it possible for me to have the career that I’ve had,” she said. “So many people have shaped me. Thank you, everyone. It is truly an honor to receive this award.”
For 49 years, these unique honors bestowed by the Leagues have culminated each autumn in a nationally recognized, peer-nominated awards program that spotlights some of the movement’s most loyal, sacrificial, and brightest leaders who have dedicated their lives to credit unions and their members. The following are this year’s honorees and the accomplishments that their individual awards represent:
2023 Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award: This is 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.
2023 Distinguished Service Award: Honors credit union professionals’ ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community.
2023 Social Impact Award (individual) — Honors individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.
2023 Social Impact Award (organization) — Honors credit unions that demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.
2023 J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award: Honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities.
2023 Tomorrow’s Star Award: Honors the efforts of up-and-coming credit union leaders aged 35 and under, and encourages the development of future leaders.
2023 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award (individual): Honors individuals’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.
2023 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award (organization): Honors credit unions and other organizations’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.
2023 Advocacy Awards: Honors those displaying extraordinary leadership in credit union advocacy and political action.
2023 Network Award of Excellence: Honors excellence in volunteerism within League Chapters.
Stay Engaged During REACH
Attendees and League staff will be sharing photos, comments, and memories through X (@CANVleagues) and LinkedIn (#CUatREACH).
REACH is one of the credit union industry’s premier annual events, attracting leaders and system partners from across California, Nevada and the United States. This year it’s held from October 22 – 26 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV!
