Who Will Be Honored in 2026? GoWest Awards Nominations Due May 22

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 8, 2026

2025 GoWest Winner for Member Program - Gesa Credit Union

Award season is almost here, and GoWest member credit unions once again have plenty to celebrate. At the 2026 GoWest Awards and Gala, held on Oct. 9 during MAXX 2026 in Denver, we’ll honor nine outstanding winners — including a new award, Storytelling With Purpose, which recognizes the power of authentic credit union impact stories.

Nominations for GoWest Awards Due May 22!

This is your opportunity to nominate individuals and credit unions for their exceptional achievements over the past year — and yes, you’re welcome to nominate your own credit union.

Award Categories

Employee Experience – Recognizes a credit union that has intentionally built a thriving workplace culture by investing in employee growth, fostering engagement, and providing the tools for success.

Member Impact (formerly Member Program) – Celebrates a credit union that has demonstrated exceptional, measurable member impact through intentional actions, programs, or strategies that produce tangible benefits for members.

Summit Icon Winner, Charlotte Nemec

Community Impact – Recognizes a credit union that has embraced social responsibility through lending programs, charitable giving, multicultural services, or other initiatives that improve financial well-being in the communities they serve.

Cooperation in Action – Credit unions are stronger together! Recognizes two or more credit unions, CU Communities, or credit union professionals from separate credit unions, collaborating to create a bigger impact.

NEW! Storytelling With Purpose – Recognizes a credit union — or collaboration of credit unions — that has demonstrated leadership in storytelling and media engagement that strengthens understanding of the Credit Union Difference and highlights the distinct value of our cooperative model.

Young Professional – Recognizes a next generation credit union leader. This award honors a professional 40 and under who exemplifies advocacy, community service, and leadership in the credit union industry.

Distinguished Director – Recognizes an outstanding board member who has demonstrated leadership in advocacy, community service, and credit union growth.

Summit Advocate – Advocacy is essential to the Credit Union Movement’s long-term success. Recognizes a credit union professional who has gone above and beyond to champion credit union causes. This award will be selected by GoWest’s Advocacy Team.

Summit Icon – Recognizes a credit union leader who has demonstrated sustained excellence in advocacy, community impact, and the credit union philosophy.

Encourage a Nomination

If you know a credit union or individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Credit Union Movement, let them know you think they should apply for recognition. Use this form to send a note of encouragement. While this is not an official nomination, it’s a meaningful way to recognize a fellow credit union or colleague and encourage them to share the impact they’re making in the Movement.

Entry Tips

• Focus on the impact of the program, not just what the program is. Describe what changed because of it.
• Tell the story clearly. Explain the challenge or opportunity, describe the solution, and show measurable results.
• Provide specific examples, like quotes, program milestones, communication samples, etc. Attach any supporting material, like photos or videos, that you think will help bring the entry to life.
• Don’t assume your program is “too small.” Judges are looking for innovation, impact, and inspiration — not just scale.
• The nomination form cannot be saved. It’s a good idea to prepare your entry in another format (like Word) before starting to fill out the form.
• Use the recommended word count parameters and include lots of details so the Recognition Advisory Committee has as much information as possible to consider.
• Provide a link to any website or social media that has been used to promote the individual or credit union’s accomplishment.
• Nomination Inspiration

Nomination Inspiration

2025 Community Impact Award Winner – Colorado Credit Union

Community Impact Winner – Colorado Credit Union

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.

Posted in Board of Directors, Events, Leadership, MAXX, Small Credit Unions, Top Headlines, Young Professionals.