Ready to Lead? YP Leads at MAXX 2026 Is Calling

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 22, 2026

Your career doesn’t grow by accident — it grows when you raise your hand.

If you’re a young professional ready to stretch your skills, expand your network, and step more confidently into leadership, the YP Leads program at MAXX 2026 is for you.

Each year, 18 emerging leaders from across the GoWest region are selected for this high-impact experience. YP Leads isn’t simply a scholarship to attend MAXX — it’s a launchpad for deeper involvement in the Credit Union Movement and a powerful step forward in your professional journey.

“Being a YP Lead has brought more meaning to my career,” said Camille Roloff, 2025 YP Lead and Branch Supervisor for Alhambra Credit Union. “It has shown me what the Credit Union Movement is and why it is so important.”

“It gave me the opportunity to step outside of my day-to-day role and better understand the bigger picture of the credit union movement and the impact we can make together,” shared Cesar Chavez, Manager of Internal Support for Rogue Credit Union, about his experience as a YP Lead at MAXX 2025.

Applications are due Friday, June 19.

What You’ll Experience at MAXX

YP Leads receive complimentary registration to MAXX 2026 in Denver, Colo. While there, you’ll:

Attend dynamic keynote sessions and breakout workshops
Participate in a YP Leads orientation with GoWest staff
Build connections with peers from across the region
Engage with credit union leaders and changemakers
Hear from a keynote speaker selected specifically to inspire emerging leaders

You won’t just attend MAXX — you’ll experience it with purpose.

A Year of Growth Beyond the Conference

What truly sets YP Leads apart is the experience that continues long after MAXX concludes.

Each participant is paired with a dedicated mentor for a yearlong leadership journey designed to foster meaningful professional growth. Together, mentors and mentees create a personalized development plan, establish clear goals, and focus on building the skills and confidence needed to lead with greater impact.

Mentorship within YP Leads is not a simple check-the-box component — it is the heart of the program. Mentors are intentional and fully invested, offering more than advice. They create space for reflection, encourage growth, and cultivate authentic connection. This sustained, relationship-driven approach is what makes the YP Leads journey transformative for both mentors and emerging leaders alike.

“YP Leads didn’t just challenge me to grow professionally, it challenged me to grow personally and lead with more intention,” said Tyler Holbert, Contact Center Manager for Point West Credit Union and 2025 YP Lead. “Being surrounded by people who genuinely care about service, community, and the Credit Union Movement reaffirmed my belief that leadership starts with listening, showing up, and putting others first.”

This isn’t surface-level networking. It’s sustained support, real accountability, and relationships that last well beyond one event.

Who Should Apply?

If you’re someone who:

is eager to grow as a leader,
wants to deepen your engagement in the credit union community,
is ready to invest in your professional development, and
has the support of your credit union

…then YP Leads could be your next big move.

How to Apply

The application process is easy. Candidates will:

Answer a few short questions
Submit a brief essay or video
Provide a letter of endorsement from a supervisor or credit union leader

Applications are reviewed by a panel of past YP Leads and mentors, and the 2026 cohort will be announced in July.

Spots are limited — and transformational opportunities like this don’t come around every day.

“As a YP Lead, I have grown a network of like-minded peers that have inspired me in my own credit union journey,” Roloff shared.

“Being surrounded by people who are passionate, supportive, and driven to make a difference made my YP Lead experience both rewarding and impactful,” Chavez summed up.

If you’re ready to step forward, apply for YP Leads by June 19 and make MAXX 2026 the moment your leadership journey accelerates.

Posted in Events, MAXX, Top Headlines, Young Professionals.