League Awards Program

The awards programs give us a way to recognize credit unions whose actions support and promote the credit union philosophy and to honor the individuals who have provided outstanding service, guidance and commitment to the credit union movement in this state. Through these awards, we gratefully acknowledge their contributions and pay humble respect to their commitment.  Details on the awards are below. They include:

• Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame
• Professional Achievement Award
• Leadership Achievement Award
• Emerging Leadership Award

The League's Awards Committee is made up of several individuals, appointed by the League Chair, who volunteer their time to review nominations for the Hall of Fame, Professional Achievement, Leadership Achievement and Emerging Leadership Awards. Details about the most recent League Award winners are available on this page below.

To nominate someone for any of the League awards, use this online nomination form.  

NOMINATION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2024


If you have questions about any awards, contact the League's Communications Department.

State-level Awards

Named for credit union pioneers, there are three awards categories where awards are presented to recognize credit union projects. 

A summary of each of the awards programs can be found by using the links below:

• Dora Maxwell Award
• Louise Herring Award
• Desjardins Awards

Temporary Change: As you know, on January 1, CUNA and NAFCU merged to create America’s Credit Unions. As part of the combination of the two organizations, the approach to awards and recognition is being adjusted. The League has learned that the national awards programs will be temporarily suspended for 2024. This includes the Dora Maxwell, Louise Herring, and Alphonse Desjardins (Youth and Adult) Awards. The process for these national awards was for each state to submit entries for consideration. Here in Indiana, our first-place state-level winners advanced to this national competition.

Even though the national program is on a one-year hiatus, the League will still offer a state-level awards program for these same awards to showcase credit union projects. 

Although we will still honor state-level recipients at our Credit Union Awards Celebration during the Convention (Oct. 2-4), there will be no path to any national awards this year.  

Award Criteria

The Leadership Achievement Award (previously named the Volunteer Achievement Award) was created in 1990 to recognize credit union volunteers who have selflessly given of themselves to promote the credit union ideal and better Indiana's credit union movement.

METHOD: The Awards Committee may select one person per year based upon the criteria relating to credit union, chapter, League, national, volunteer and community activities. The Awards Committee or the leadership of any chapter or credit union in Indiana may submit names by completing the League nomination form and returning it by the deadline.

RECOGNITION: The winner will be announced at the League’s annual convention. In addition, the recipient's name will be added to a plaque in the lobby area of the League Office that lists all winners of this award.

ELIGIBILITY: Anyone currently serving or who has served within the past year on the board or committee of a League-affiliated credit union is eligible. Current directors and employees of the League and Servicecorp are not eligible to receive the award.

CRITERIA: Candidates for the Leadership Achievement Award must:

• Be in good standing in the community.
• Understand and personify the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People."
• Promote the credit union ideal, and actively demonstrate loyalty to the entire organized credit union movement.
• Exhibit an unselfish devotion to his/her duties as a credit union official.
• Be dedicated to and believe in the importance and value of continuing education and training.
• Have success in maintaining or improving the financial fitness of his/her own credit union.
• Exhibit dedication to and a belief in the credit union system as evidenced by involvement at the chapter and League levels and participation in other activities to further the organized movement.

Click here for nomination form.

Leadership Achievement Award Winner

Tim Yoder, Interra CU
Leadership Achievement Award Winner 2023

A lifelong credit union member, Tim’s first account was the one opened for him at birth. Using the same credit union from when he was born, Tim was always impressed with the credit union and has been quoted as saying, “It was a dream of mine to serve on the Interra Board of Directors.” 
His dream came true in 2012 when he joined the board. He became chairman in 2016 and has overseen many milestones such as more than 200% asset growth and more than 240% loan growth. Ten new locations have been added, 19 additional field of membership counties, and multiple technology upgrades have taken place. Membership has grown from 50,000 to nearly 92,000 while the credit union has rolled out a core banking platform, two online and mobile platforms, and full mortgage and investment departments. The credit union has reached $1.8 billion in assets, celebrated its 90th anniversary, and started the Interra Cares Foundation – all with Tim leading the way. The credit union was founded in 1932 by seven farmers, and Tim has made sure to stay close to those agricultural roots humbly recognizing that Interra is now the second largest agricultural lending credit union in the United States today. He has led Interra with the same principles of the credit union philosophy – people helping people.
As a licensed mortician, Tim’s family business, Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, was established thanks to a loan from the credit union to his father and uncle. It is now a third-generation business where his family continues to provide comfort and assistance to others – with the same passion as credit unions do today.

Past Winners

*Known as the Volunteer Achievement Award prior to 2009

Award Criteria

The Emerging Leadership Award was created in 2007 to recognize the next generation of credit union leaders in Indiana for their accomplishments and for their potential to be an Indiana credit union leader in the future.

METHOD: Individuals are nominated by others from their credit union, or from among their credit union peers. Self-nomination is not allowed. The Awards Committee may select up to three individuals each year, none from the same credit union, based upon the individuals’ accomplishments and their essay-style responses to two questions. Answers should be a maximum of 250 words.

1. What do you see in the future of the credit union movement?
2. What have you done to prepare for that future, and how will you lead?

RECOGNITION: The winners will be announced at the League’s annual convention. In addition, the recipient’s name will be added to a plaque in the lobby area of the League’s office that lists winner of this award.

ELIGIBILITY: Individuals employed by League-affiliated credit unions holding managerial positions, with the exception of President/CEO/Manager, are eligible. Current League Board members are excluded from consideration.

CRITERIA: Candidates will be judged by the Awards Committee based on their accomplishments and on their answers to two screening questions.

Click here for nomination form.

Emerging Leadership Award Winners

 

Amanda Edwards, Centra CU
Emerging Leadership Award Winner 2023

Amanda’s credit union career began on the teller line where she learned about the credit union philosophy and how she could have a professional job where she could positively impact others. In her time at Centra Credit Union, she has held several positions including roles in account recovery, branch management, and deposit operations. She has also taken on other responsibilities including leading project teams to improve the credit union’s overdraft program, a core conversion team, and digital banking platform transition. She is a graduate of CUNA Management School. At Centra Credit Union she has received the Individual Operating Efficiency Company Award and the Service the Centra Way Day Annual Company Service Award. She was last year’s co-chair and this year’s chair of the annual company all-Team Member event called Celebrating Centra Day.

Outside the credit union, she is an active volunteer at her church and in her community.

 
Todd Roach, ProFed FCU
Emerging Leadership Award Winner 2023

Joining the credit union in 2012 as a part-time accounting assistant while completing his undergrad degree, Todd was promoted several times over a six-year period, He most recently was promoted to Vice President/Controller. He received his MBA while working at the credit union, and he has also earned several important designations. He was in the inaugural group that received the Certified Credit Union Investment Professional designation, and he is an Accredited ACH Professional, (AAP), an accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP), and a Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE). These designations and his success and growth at ProFed Federal Credit Union are evidence of his remarkable dedication, exceptional skills, and commitment to professional excellence. 

He is also an active volunteer for credit union projects and in the Fort Wayne community where Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, and Community Harvest Food Bank have benefited from his contributions. Currently, he is co-leading a team to teach financial wellness to elementary school children at the Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne. 

 

Lindsay Wirth, Everwise CU
Emerging Leadership Award Winner 2023

Lindsay’s credit union career began before she even graduated from high school. She participated in a work/school co-op program at Teachers Credit Union, which is now Everwise. The credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” resonated with her immediately. During her first 15 years, she held a variety of front-line positions and managed several branches in Indianapolis. Now, as a Business Services Development Officer, she works to engage business members and grow business deposits. She and her team have been successful, growing deposits significantly during her tenure. She is active in other credit union endeavors including mentoring others, and she was a founding member of the organization’s Diversity Council. Everwise has recognized Lindsay with several awards including the W.B. Hawkins Award for Outstanding Customer and Member Service, the David R. Sage Award for Leadership, The Core Value Award, Top Branch Sales Performance each year over a 10-year period, and Top 20 Volunteer Employee recognition. She has been a board member of the Central Chapter of Credit Unions and is currently chairman. And she is a recent alumna of the League’s ignite program. Outside of credit unions, Lindsay is on the advisory board of the Franklin Education Foundation, and she is a committee volunteer for Special Olympics of Indiana. 

Past Winners