VisionBoard 2026: Strengthening the Stewards of the Credit Union Movement

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 15, 2026

On April 9-11, the VisionBoard experience brought together credit union board members, supervisory committee members, and CEOs for focused conversations on governance, stewardship, and the future of the cooperative model.

Designed to help leaders fully understand and embrace their roles, speakers walked participants through what it means to serve as stewards of their individual institutions — and how to shape their credit union into the most distinct and impactful financial cooperative its structure enables.

   At its core, the conference emphasized the need for careful balance in a credit union board’s work: ensuring financial safety and soundness while also taking measured risks to remain relevant to the next generation of members. Attendees were challenged to stay out of operational weeds while engaging deeply in strategic discussions.

This year’s program centered on a three-pronged continuous development model: Frame. Develop. Prepare.

Frame: Regrounding in Purpose

The conference opened with GoWest President and CEO Troy Stang, Lorena Van Assche, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Vice Chair, and GoWest EVP and Chief Impact Officer Sharee Adkins helping set the context for why credit unions exist — and why board members matter so deeply to the Movement.

As the financial services landscape evolves rapidly and affordability challenges grow, credit unions remain rooted in their not-for-profit cooperative structure. Board members are part of that DNA. They help ensure their institutions remain mission-focused while adapting strategically to change.

Leaders were reminded that governance is not passive oversight. It is active stewardship. It requires understanding the broader financial landscape and engaging in informed, strategic boardroom conversations that shape the future of their institutions.

Develop: Building Governance Excellence

From there, sessions shifted to focus on development — equipping attendees with practical tools to govern effectively.

Sessions on finance, performance management, and change management provided tangible frameworks boards can use immediately. Discussions around onboarding, continuous learning, and upskilling reinforced that governance excellence is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing discipline.

Attendees valued the depth and practicality of the content:

• Expert insight on board-related topics
• Ideas on board development and using data to support decision-making
• Small group work and collaboration with peers
• A format and duration that felt purposeful and well orchestrated

“I was able to get the key indicators for strategic financial questions and a sample of types of questions that should be asked,” shared one attendee. “I was also able to connect with GoWest and get a resource for very specific training towards board duties and stewardship towards membership.”

“There was something for everyone, new and experienced directors,” another noted.

Learning continues beyond the event as well with ongoing governance resources and training opportunities that are available to support boards anytime of year. The VisionBoard Resource Center offers training and development opportunities and board-specific resources on topics like strategic planning, succession planning, compensation, recruiting, and more.

Upcoming Events

Board Chair Virtual Roundtable — May 28

Board Liaison Virtual Roundtable — June 17

MAXX — Oct. 6–9 in Denver (Early pricing ends April 17)

VisionBoard — Spring 2027 in Scottsdale

Prepare: Leading Through What’s Next

The final portions of the conference focused on preparation — ensuring boards are ready for the challenges and transitions ahead.

Dr. Amy Hillman, a governance expert and professor at Arizona State University, delivered a standout session on succession planning, offering actionable insights on both CEO and board succession. Attendees called her presentation “exceptional” and praised its relevance to real-world governance challenges.

“Dr. Hillman was exceptional with very relevant information” one attendee reflected. “I also very much enjoyed the regulator panel.”

A regulatory panel, featuring NASCUS President and CEO Brian Knight, NCUA Western Region Director Julie Cayse, and Farleigh Wada Witt Shareholder and Legal Expert Hal Scoggins, provided clarity on the external environment credit unions must continuously monitor and highlighted the importance of keeping members top of mind even with many areas of risk surfacing.

The conference concluded with a powerful reminder from Adkins and Jennifer Wagner, GoWest’s EVP and Chief Advocacy officer, about the board’s role in advocacy and community impact. Recruitment, storytelling, and protecting the cooperative model are not side conversations — they are strategic imperatives.

More Than a Conference

Networking and collaboration emerged as some of the most valuable aspects of the VisionBoard experience. Leaders appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas, compare practices, and learn alongside peers facing similar governance challenges.

“I’ve attended many credit union conferences,” one participant shared, “but this one has given me by far the most takeaways.”

VisionBoard demonstrated that effective governance requires intention. It requires continuous development. And it requires boards and CEOs willing to think strategically about both today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.

By framing their purpose clearly, developing the right tools and skills, and preparing thoughtfully for the future, credit union leaders are strengthening not just their own institutions — but the entire movement.

Posted in Advocacy, Board of Directors, Events, Leadership, Small Credit Unions, Top Headlines.