GoWest’s 2025 Award Winners Announced!

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on October 23, 2025

YP Leads at the GoWest Awards Dinner and Gala

After a record-breaking number of nominations and a competitive review, GoWest is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 GoWest Awards.

Presented at the GoWest Awards Dinner and Gala during MAXX on Oct. 16, awards were given in eight categories — four to spotlight credit unions and four that honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and growth of the Credit Union Movement.

“MAXX is all about celebrating our member credit unions, and these awards showcase just a sliver of the amazing ways they show up for their members and communities,” said GoWest President and CEO Troy Stang. “The record number of nominations and the energy of the Credit Union Movement is absolutely inspiring. Credit unions are not only improving lives and delivering value every day, they’re also leading with innovative ideas that shape the future. A huge congratulations to the winners, and applause to the finalists and nominees!”

Congratulations to the 2025 GoWest Award Winners!

Community Impact Award – Colorado Credit Union (Colorado)

This award recognizes a credit union that goes above and beyond in showing up for community members, one that builds thoughtful programs, authentic partnerships, and lasting results.

In 2025, Colorado Credit Union launched the EmpowerHER Financial Literacy Program, a targeted initiative designed to support women served by Dress for Success Denver. The EmpowerHER program curriculum focuses on essential personal finance fundamentals, including budgeting and credit management, facilitated by Colorado Credit Union staff through a series of in-person workshops. Upon completion, participants are eligible to join Colorado Credit Union as members and receive a funded $500 secured credit card.

Within just six weeks, nearly half of the program’s participants improved their credit score, and every graduate became a credit union member. Success in their credit-building journey has only continued to grow from those early accomplishments.

Cooperation in Action Award – Evergreen Impact Housing Fund (Washington)

BECU, Salal Credit Union, Sound Credit Union, Verity Credit Union, WSECU

This award is about more than credit unions just working together. It’s about really leaning in, aligning resources, and showing what’s possible when the community is put first.

In 2021, these five Washington credit unions came together in support of the Seattle Foundation’s creation of the Evergreen Impact Housing Fund. In June 2025, Solera-Astra Apartments opened in Renton, Wash., providing 277 affordable units that will provide housing for working families who can’t afford the region’s rising rents. Today, all but three units are filled.

Employee Experience – Rogue Credit Union (Oregon)

The Employee Experience award celebrates internal innovation that prioritizes the well-being and engagement of team members.

Rogue Credit Union, serving Oregon and Idaho, launched Rogue Thrives — a multi-layered, comprehensive wellness platform that supports physical, financial, and mental health. With an extensive offering of videos, exercise tips, financial resources, fun challenges, and prizes, this program quickly attracted the interest of team members across the organization. In its very first year, 62% of employees engaged with the easy-to-access resources — a figure nearly twice the industry average.

Member Program – Gesa Credit Union (Washington)

This award recognizes a standout initiative that enhances service, financial education, and access for members.

Gesa Credit Union’s High School Credit Union Program is designed to bring financial education and real-world banking experience directly into high schools. With 18 student-run branches across Washington state, the program gives students hands-on experience as tellers, marketers, and peer financial educators. Across the 18 branches, 100–200 students are trained and mentored annually, 12,000+ students are reached through peer-led financial education events, and 1,500 students completed Gesa’s annual Campus Branch Financial Literacy Challenge.

Distinguished Director of the Year – Dan Stanton, Trona Valley Federal Credit Union (Wyoming)

The Distinguished Director of the Year honors an individual who has displayed outstanding achievements and accomplishments as a credit union board member. Credit union board members are vital mentors and leaders in the Credit Union Movement; they bring an abundance of wisdom and influence and embody the People Helping People spirit that makes credit unions so different.

Dan Stanton is no stranger to leadership. He’s a business owner, board chair, civic volunteer, and a diehard credit union evangelist. He’s helped shape the direction of his credit union for more than a decade — first on the supervisory committee, and for the past 14 years as a board member. From the beginning, he’s led with curiosity, always encouraging his fellow directors to ask questions, stretch their thinking, and continue learning. Dan has lived out the credit union philosophy for years — not for recognition, but because it’s just who he is.

Young Professional of the Year – Rafael Saucedo, BECU (Washington)

The Young Professional of the Year is a rising leader who demonstrates outstanding promise and commitment early in their career. This award is about the kind of leadership that elevates their team, advances shared goals, and strengthens the cooperative principles of credit unions.

Currently serving as BECU’s Philanthropy Program Manager, Rafael Saucedo leads initiatives that support nonprofit organizations, directing resources toward financial health, housing stability, education, and workforce development. He brings a rare combination of strategic vision and grassroots energy.

His passion is thoroughly evident in everything he’s part of; whether advancing financial access for underserved communities, coaching youth through workforce programs, or emceeing at the National Association of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals conference.

Rafael exemplifies a commitment to leadership that extends far beyond his formal role, continually enriching both his community and his own personal growth.

Summit Advocate – Brian Rohrbacher, Grand Altitude Federal Credit Union (Wyoming)

The Summit Advocate award recognizes a leader who elevates the voice of credit unions in public policy and civil engagement and who understands that participation in the legislative and political process is essential for the long-term success of the Movement and the financial well-being of members.

Brian Rohrbacher is a 25-year credit union veteran who has served as President and CEO of Grand Altitude Federal Credit Union for more than a decade. He led an effort that mobilized Wyoming credit unions to pay off all outstanding school lunch debt statewide, which reached families in every corner of the state. He brought together a group of elected officials and local leaders to collaboratively address housing challenges. And, he led the support of the Beef for Backpacks program — helping ensure students have consistent access to high-quality, local protein.

Brian is trusted, tenacious, and is the epitome of “People Helping People.”

Summit Icon – Charlotte Nemec, Canopy Credit Union (Washington)

This highest individual honor is awarded to a credit union professional for extraordinary leadership, dedication to advocacy, a proponent for community impact, and enduring commitment to the credit union mission.

Charlotte Nemec started her credit union career in human resources and grew through every level of leadership before being named President and CEO of Canpoy Credit Union in 2018. Since then, she’s led a transformation: through a bold rebrand, strong CDFI stewardship, meaningful tech investments, and nearly 50% growth in assets all while keeping human connection at the center of every move in the evolution.

Her belief that “treating people with dignity and respect is a number one priority” helped her credit union earn recognition as one of the “Best Credit Unions to Work For” by American Banker, and has ranked as a “Best Credit Union” by readers of a local publication five years in a row.

She’s a motivator, a mentor, and a leader whose style is thoughtful, directly honest, grounded, and thoroughly human.

GoWest is proud to have such outstanding leaders in the region. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees this year!

We look forward to honoring even more credit unions and leaders at MAXX 2026 in Denver!

Check out more photos from the evening on the GoWest Facebook page HERE!

Posted in Leadership, MAXX, Young Professionals.