Chartway Credit Union just walked away with eight Top Workplaces awards for 2026, and several of them aren’t first-time wins.
We’re talking about recognition in Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility, Leadership, Purpose & Values, Professional Development, Employee Well-being, Employee Appreciation, and Financial Services. That’s not a trophy case—that’s a trophy wall.
The awards come from Energage‘s Top Workplaces program, which has spent 19 years figuring out what makes great companies actually great. They survey employees across 60 regional markets and nationally, focusing on organizations that put people first. And here’s the thing that matters: these awards aren’t handed out based on slick PR campaigns. They come directly from what team members say in confidential surveys.
“At Chartway we have team members, not employees and they bring our purpose & values to life each day as they serve our members and communities,” said Rebecca Riordan, chief people and culture officer at Chartway Credit Union. “We’re grateful for the candid feedback they share through these surveys. It helps us grow and ensures we stay true to who we are. Recognition like this, especially when it’s sustained over time, means that much more.”
Translation? When your team keeps saying you’re doing it right year after year, you’re probably doing it right.
Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, puts it plainly: “Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees. That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
What These Awards Actually Mean
Let’s break down what Chartway won and why it matters:
Innovation (2022-2026): This isn’t about having a ping-pong table in the break room. It recognizes companies where new ideas actually come from everyone, not just the corner office. Five years running says Chartway has made innovation part of their DNA.
Work-Life Flexibility (2026): In a world where “return to office” debates dominate LinkedIn feeds, this award goes to organizations that give people real options about how and where they work—and have managers who actually care about their team’s lives outside of work hours.
Leadership (2026): Good leaders don’t just set direction. They inspire confidence and actually understand what customers need because they listen to the people who talk to customers every day.
Purpose & Values (2026): Plenty of companies frame their mission statements and call it a day. This award recognizes the ones who actually live those values and efficiently turn them into action.
Professional Development (2023-2026): Four consecutive years of recognition for helping team members grow their careers. That’s not just training—that’s investing in people’s futures.
Employee Well-Being (2023-2026): Health and wellness aren’t perks here. They’re central to how the workplace operates, and have been for four years straight.
Employee Appreciation (2023-2026): When people feel genuinely appreciated for their work, they bring their best. This award celebrates that reciprocal relationship, sustained over four years.
Financial Services (2021-2026): Six consecutive years as an employer of choice in the financial services industry. This one recognizes Chartway as a standout workplace not just generally, but specifically within their sector.
Want to know more about how Chartway builds their workplace culture? The full details are available on the Top Workplaces site, straight from the research-supported team member engagement surveys that make these awards legit.
Related:
Chartway CU, USALLIANCE Financial named USA TODAY top workplaces
Chartway Credit Union Advances Its Members Digital Experience