Here’s something you don’t see every day: a workplace where “career growth” isn’t just corporate speak buried in an employee handbook nobody reads.
LAFCU—that’s Lansing Area Federal Credit Union for the uninitiated—just snagged a 2026 Best Place to Work for Career Growth award from Best Companies Group, and the kicker? Their own employees are the ones who made it happen.
This isn’t some participation trophy situation. The recognition comes straight from employee survey responses, which means real people had to actually say nice things about their employer. Best Companies Group hands out this particular honor to U.S. organizations that go beyond the occasional “good job” email and genuinely invest in professional development, advancement opportunities, and long-term career support.
“LAFCU has demonstrated that career growth is not just encouraged—it is built into the employee experience,” said Jaime Raul Zepeda, executive vice president of Best Companies Group + COLOR Magazine. Translation: they’re walking the walk, not just talking the talk.
What Employees Said
When LAFCU team members filled out their surveys, they called out some pretty specific perks: educational resources, tuition assistance, professional development programs, and a genuinely collaborative environment. One employee summed it up perfectly, saying “the sky is the limit for growth and development opportunities.” Another praised the credit union’s “excellent support for career advancement and furthering your education.”
But it goes deeper than tuition reimbursement checks. Survey responses highlighted the practical, day-to-day support that actually matters—having the right tools to do your job, working in an environment that values open communication and teamwork, and feeling like the organization is genuinely invested in where you’re headed, not just where you are now.
The Leadership Take
Patrick Spyke, LAFCU’s CEO, sees the award as validation of something the credit union has prioritized for years: helping employees build careers that mean something, not just collect paychecks.
“At LAFCU, we want to understand what our employees are passionate about and look for opportunities that allow them to put that passion to work,” Spyke explained. “We listen to their interests, recognize their strengths and encourage them to keep learning and take on new challenges.”
His point? When you actually invest in people’s futures, they become more confident, more skilled, and more engaged. And that doesn’t just benefit the employees—it creates a ripple effect that ultimately serves members and communities better too.
Want to see who else made the list? Check out the full lineup of 2026 Best Places to Work for Career Growth honorees at bestcompaniesgroup.com.