National Awards Program

The Distinguished Credit Union Leader (DCUL) Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service and leadership to the Canadian credit union movement. Nominees should demonstrate leadership that is national in scope resulting in measurable and sustainable change to the credit union system; and/or those who have played a key leadership role in one or more strategies or projects that have contributed to expanding, strengthening, or otherwise building a sustainable credit union system in Canada.

Submit a nomination for the DCUL Award here.

OVERVIEW

To understand the success of the Canadian credit union system, one needs only to look to our cooperative principles and the individuals who carry out these values in their professional and personal lives. The Distinguished Credit Union Leader Award recognizes inspiring individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and significant contributions to the credit union system. When we recognize these leaders and celebrate all that they have contributed, the entire credit union system wins!

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Think about an individual in your organization who has shown excellence in leadership. What outstanding accomplishments demonstrate their commitment and passion for the credit union system? Candidates must be nominated by two CCUA member organizations. Nominations must be received between December 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026. Please read the submission guidelines carefully.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Any member credit union/caisse populaire or provincial/ regional Central or Auxiliary Member organization of CCUA may nominate a deserving candidate by submitting the online entry form. Please note that a secondary nominator is required for the nomination to be considered. Each nominating organization must complete the prescribed nomination form.

To be considered for the Distinguished Credit Union Leader Award the nominee:

1. Must be, or (if deceased) have been, a member of a credit union that is affiliated with CCUA;
2. May not be a current member of the CCUA Board of Directors or a former director who has served on the Board in the three years preceding his/her nomination;
3. May not be a current employee of CCUA;
4. Must have consistently demonstrated high professional and ethical standards in services to the credit union movement;
5. The nominee may not have previously received the Award or the Hall of Fame Award*, and
6. Must consent to their nomination and the publication of their name, photo, and award information on the CCUA website and in CCUA-related communications, including social media.

*If you are unsure whether the nominee was a past recipient of the Hall of Fame Award, please contact CCUA staff.

Once nominations open on December 1, 2025, complete the online entry form addressing the submission guidelines and criteria.

Each nomination must be supported by two organizations. Only one submission is required; however, contact information for a representative of the secondary nominating organization must be provided.

For each nomination, documentation answering the following must be submitted:

List positions of leadership in the credit union system the nominee has held. (Attach resume)

• A Nomination Letter signed by both representatives of each nominating organization comprehensively describing how the nominee meets each of the following three criteria:
• The nominee has demonstrated outstanding leadership that is national in scope and results in measurable and sustainable change to the credit union system with broad effect;
• The nominee played a key leadership role in one or more strategies or projects that contributed to expanding, strengthening, or otherwise building a sustainable credit union system in Canada; and
• The nominee has consistently demonstrated high professional and ethical standards in service to the credit union movement.
• Provide any additional supporting documents, photos, and/or videos that profile your nominee and showcase the outstanding achievements they’ve accomplished.

Should you have any questions, please contact conferences@ccua.com.

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 31, 2026.

SUBMISSION FEES

There is no submission fee to nominate a candidate for the Distinguished Credit Union Leader Award.

CRITERIA

The Distinguished Credit Union Leader Award is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and significant contributions to the credit union system. The Awards Committee of the CCUA Board of Directors will assess nominees based on the following criteria:

1. The nominee has demonstrated outstanding leadership that is national in scope and results in a measurable and sustainable change to the credit union system with broad effect;
2. The nominee played a key leadership role in one or more strategies or projects that contributed to expanding, strengthening, or otherwise building a sustainable credit union system in Canada and
3. The nominee has consistently demonstrated high professional and ethical standards in service to the credit union movement.

The Distinguished Credit Union Leader Award is CCUA’s most prestigious honour. It will only be awarded when the Awards Committee deems that this special recognition’s criteria have been met.

SELECTION

The winner(s) will be notified in February 2026. If awarded, the winner will be announced during CCUA’s AGM planned for April 2026, and a presentation will take place during the Closing Dinner & Awards at the 2025 National Conference on May 12, 2026, in Ottawa, ON.

*The cost of travel, meals, and lodging for the National Conference for the nominee and their spouse/ companion is the responsibility of the nominating organizations.

Submit a nomination for the DCUL Award here.

The National Credit Union Young Leaders Award recognizes young leaders in Canada’s credit union system. The award helps identify the best and brightest young employees, motivate them, and publicize their accomplishments to inspire others.

OVERVIEW

The National Credit Union Young Leaders Award recognizes young leaders in Canada’s credit union system. The Award helps identify the best and brightest young employees, motivate them, and publicize their accomplishments to inspire others. In creating this award, CCUA’s Board of Directors aims to recognize young leadership.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK

Think about the young people — 35 years of age or less — working in your organization. Do you have any rising stars? Do they have well-defined accomplishments? Have they tackled any substantial responsibilities in your credit union/caisse populaire or regional Central? Each year, up to five winners may be chosen for the National Credit Union Young Leaders Award, and one of these winners will be selected as the scholarship recipient and receive tuition plus travel costs (economy class) to attend a leadership development program at a recognized university in Canada ($10,000 maximum). Award winners may be asked to join the National Young Leaders Committee. The Young Leader’s nominator must submit a signed letter describing why their candidate deserves to be an award winner. This letter is an important component of the nomination package and is evaluated by the Award Selection Panel. Entries must be received on or before 11:59 pm EST, February 27, 2026.

Please read the submission guidelines carefully.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY:

• Only one nominee per credit union/caisse populaire and/or regional Central is permitted.
• Nominations must be made by a CEO of a regional Central, a credit union/caisse populaire’s CEO/GM, or a credit union/caisse populaire’s Board Chair may nominate a credit union/caisse populaire CEO/GM.
• Once nominations open on January 12, 2026, complete the online entry form and include:
  1. The nominee’s résumé
  2. A signed letter by the CEO/GM describing why the candidate deserves to be an Award winner (maximum length 500 words. An optional reference letter from someone who works closely with the nominee may also be submitted.)
  3. The candidate must submit an essay on one of the following topics (maximum length 2,000 words):
     • How did your leadership foster Innovation in your credit union/caisse populaire or Central?
     • How did your leadership foster Growth in your credit union/caisse populaire or Central?
     • How did your leadership foster Community Involvement in your credit union/caisse populaire or Central?
     • How did your leadership foster Collaboration Among Cooperatives?
     • How did your leadership foster Equity, Diversity and, Inclusion in your credit union/caisse populaire or Central?

The essay must demonstrate:

• Commitment to credit union values;
• Application of leadership skills outside the credit union setting;
• Proactive approaches to leading and accomplishing goals;
• Exhibit leadership traits; passion, integrity, knowledge, direction/foresight, and empowerment of others.

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY February 27, 2026.

SUBMISSION FEES

There is no submission fee.

CRITERIA

• 35 years of age or less as of December 31, 2025.
• Minimum three years of employment in the Canadian credit union system
• Leadership of a key initiative and/or management role of a credit union/caisse populaire and/or regional Central affiliated with CCUA
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, including management of a major initiative and/or participation in community initiatives
  • Note: no more than three award winners from any one credit union may serve on the committee simultaneously with no more than one holding a chair or vice chair position.

SELECTION

Award recipients will be selected by a panel of five judges comprised of three past winners of the National Young Leaders Award and two members of CCUA’s Board of Directors. The judging process will be supported by a representative serving as scrutineer. A maximum of five winners will be sponsored to attend the 2025 CCUA National Conference from May 10-13, 2026, in Ottawa, ON*. Each winner will have a personal interview with the panel of judges. The winners will jointly develop and deliver a workshop at the conference. All winners will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony, and one winner will be chosen as the 2026 National Credit Union Young Leaders Award scholarship recipient^†. The five award winners may be invited to join the National Young Leaders Committee for a three-year term.

Winners will be notified in April 2026.

*The 2026 National Conference will take place from May 10-13, 2026, in Ottawa, ON. For the winners, CCUA will reimburse travel expenses (economy class), provide full accommodation for four nights at a designated hotel, and give a complimentary registration to attend the conference.

^†Tuition plus travel costs (economy class) to attend a leadership development program at a recognized university in Canada ($10,000 maximum).

Nominations for the Young Leaders Awards are currently closed.