The League of Credit Unions just closed out the 2026 edition of INSPIRE, held October 26–28 in Savannah, Georgia, and more than 200 attendees went home with a full notebook and a longer contact list.
INSPIRE is an annual conference built to support leaders at every career stage through speakers, candid conversations, and networking. This year The League teamed up with the Carolinas Credit Union League and the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) to host it.
What went down in Savannah
Think of a good conference like a well-planned road trip: you want a mix of big scenic stops, a few detours, and some time to talk with the people in the car. INSPIRE managed all three.
Tuesday opened with “Powerful and Unstoppable: The Blueprint for Women Leading at Their Highest Level,” led by Penny Ford, Co-Founder and COO of Brilliant Beyond Belief and Founder of Burton Hathow Preparatory School. Her session focused on leading with confidence and purpose, and on personal growth.
Next came a look at technology. Dr. Su Rayburn, Vice President of Information Management and Analytics at Delta Community Credit Union, presented “Who Will She Trust? Service the Whole Person in the Age of Agentic AI.” Her message: new tools can improve the member experience, but the human side of service has to stay front and center.
Two panels anchored the day:
- “The Journey Behind the Leader” featured Kara Cardona, COO of Navy Federal Credit Union; Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union; and Jan Page, CEO of Community South Credit Union. Samantha A.M. Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, facilitated. The group dug into the choices, experiences, and lessons that shaped their leadership.
- “Grace Under Fire: Stories of Survival, Healing and Rising” was facilitated by Maureen Bock, Senior Vice President of Member Experience and Care at The League. Panelists were Linda Weatherford, CEO of SPC Credit Union; Patty Corkery, President and CEO of Michigan Credit Union League and Navari; and Meredith Harrison, known as Supermom of Carter and founder of Carter’s Tribe. They spoke honestly about resilience and finding strength through adversity.
Wednesday kept the momentum going. Nanci Wilson, Executive Vice President of Luminate, delivered a talk titled “Reckless Joy.” Then Tiffany Greenway, Senior Director of Effectiveness and Operations, Digital Transformation and Technology at Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center, presented “Here to Serve: Leadership Lessons from Chick-fil-A,” which covered service as a leadership skill and why people-centered thinking drives organizational success.
Why it matters, and what’s next
Ramirez-Washington pointed to something bigger than any single session: the sense that everyone in the room is helping clear the path for the next generation of leaders. Programs like this give emerging leaders a look at how seasoned executives got where they are, mistakes and all.
The League thanked all attendees, organizers, and sponsors for making the event work. INSPIRE returns September 18–19, 2027, at Heartsong Resort at Dollywood in Tennessee.
If you’re a credit union professional who wants in, put those dates on your calendar now, and talk to your manager about budget early. Better yet, bring a colleague who’s earlier in her career.