Honoring the Heart of Credit Unions: GoWest Award Nominations Are Open Now!

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 16, 2025

Nominations for GoWest Credit Union Association’s annual awards — honoring the tangible value and leadership credit unions bring to their members and communities — are now being accepted through May 30. Recipients of these prestigious awards will be announced on Oct. 16 at MAXX 2025 in Portland, Ore.

These awards shine a spotlight on the real-world impact of credit unions: the innovative solutions they deliver, the advocacy they advance, and the lives they help improve. They also recognize the leaders at the heart of it all — those who bring purpose to life and ensure credit unions remain a vital force for financial well-being.

Award categories recognize outstanding individuals and credit unions who are raising the bar in service, innovation, advocacy, and collaboration across GoWest’s six-state region.

Award categories include:

• Employee Experience Award – Honors a credit union that has built a thriving workplace culture by investing in employee development, engagement, and tools for success.
• Member Program Award – Celebrates a credit union initiative, business model, or service designed to meet the specific social, cultural, or economic needs of its members.
• Community Impact Award – Recognizes efforts that improve financial well-being through lending programs, charitable giving, multicultural services, or other community-focused initiatives.
• Cooperation in Action Award – Spotlights collaborative efforts between two or more credit unions, CU Communities, or professionals working across institutions to achieve a greater collective impact.
• Young Professional Award – Honors an emerging leader under 40 who exemplifies advocacy, service, and leadership in the credit union movement.
• Distinguished Director Award – Recognizes an outstanding credit union board member who has shown exceptional leadership in governance, advocacy, and community service.
• Summit Advocate Award – Celebrates a credit union professional who has gone above and beyond in advancing credit union causes through advocacy efforts.
• Summit Icon Award – Honors a credit union leader who has demonstrated sustained excellence in advocacy, community engagement, and commitment to the credit union philosophy.

Entry Tips

• The nomination form cannot be saved so it’s a good idea to prep your entry in another format (like Word) before starting to fill it out.
• Be thoughtful with your responses and fully describe why you believe the individual or credit union deserves the award.
• Use the recommended word count parameters to include lots of details so the Recognition Advisory Committee has as much information as possible to consider.
• Attach any supporting material, like photos or videos, that you think will help bring the entry to life.
• Provide a link to any website or social media that has been used to promote the individual or credit union’s accomplishment.

Submit your nominations by May 30, and be sure to get your tickets to MAXX and the GoWest Awards Dinner and Gala too!

Posted in Community Impact, Events, GoWest Association, Leadership, MAXX, Top Headlines, Young Professionals.