May 26, 2026

These Credit Union Leaders Are Raising the Bar

If you’ve ever wondered who’s doing the heavy lifting in the credit union world, the Cornerstone League just gave us the answer.

At their IMPACT Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City this May, four standout leaders took home some of the industry’s most prestigious awards—and honestly, their stories are pretty inspiring.

The May 14 awards luncheon recognized leaders who’ve gone above and beyond in advancing the credit union movement’s mission of putting people first. From decades-long careers to hands-on community work, these folks represent what happens when passion meets purpose.

“These four leaders inspire us all to continue building a brighter financial future for our community,” said Caroline Willard, president and CEO of Cornerstone League. “Their leadership has proven invaluable and their decades-long commitment to members truly embodies the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.'”

Meet Your 2025 Award Winners

Hall of Fame: Debbie Baumann (Mazuma Credit Union, Missouri)

Starting her credit union career in 1981—yes, that’s over four decades of service—Debbie Baumann has seen it all. She climbed the ranks to chief operating officer, becoming the kind of leader people actually want to work for: a mentor, advisor, and steady hand through organizational transformation.

What makes Debbie’s career remarkable isn’t just longevity. She’s got that rare trifecta of expertise in marketing, operations, and financial strategy, which means she sees the whole picture instead of just one corner of it. Her influence shaped not just Mazuma, but rippled out across the entire industry. That’s Hall of Fame material right there.

Professional of the Year: Andria McCollough (Truity Credit Union, Oklahoma)

As chief administrative officer at Truity Credit Union, Andria McCollough is the definition of a strategic thinker. She’s the person making sure all the moving parts actually move in the same direction—no small feat in any organization.

Her standout achievement? Developing an enterprise-wide efficiency tracker that streamlined processes without sacrificing member service. That’s the sweet spot every organization tries to hit but few actually nail. Beyond her day job, Andria’s committed to mentoring the next generation of credit union professionals and stays actively involved in industry initiatives. She’s building the bench while leading the team.

Small CU Achiever: Paige Rhoades (Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union, Arkansas)

Don’t let the “small” in Small CU Achiever fool you—Paige Rhoades’ impact is anything but. Over her ten years at Alcoa Community FCU, she’s worn multiple hats: operations leader, professional development champion, and regional collaboration builder.

What really sets Paige apart is her focus on financial literacy education for students. Teaching kids about money might not grab headlines, but it’s the kind of work that changes communities from the ground up. Her colleagues describe her as adaptable and mission-driven, which in credit union speak means she gets stuff done while keeping the member at the center of everything.

2025 Volunteer of the Year: Ryan Prillman (PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, Texas)

Board Vice Chair at PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, Ryan Prillman brings serious governance chops to the table. But he doesn’t just show up for board meetings and call it a day. He’s hands-on with local outreach, pushes legislative priorities that strengthen credit unions, and recently earned his Certified Credit Union Board Member designation.

The word that keeps coming up when people describe Ryan? He shows up. Then he follows through. In a world of all talk and no action, that’s worth celebrating.

And the Recognition Doesn’t Stop There

The IMPACT event also celebrated chapters and advocacy champions who are moving the needle on credit union priorities. Here’s the full rundown:

Chapters of the Year

El Paso Chapter of Credit Unions
Central Texas Chapter of Credit Unions
Fort Worth Chapter of Credit Unions

imPACt Advocacy Awards

Arkansas Credit Union PAC

Top Credit Union Contributor: Clearway CU
Highest Percent of Goal by Credit Union: Southern Gas FCU
Top Individual Contributor: Tammy Passafiume, Clearway CU

Credit Union PAC of Kansas

Top Credit Union Contributor: Meritrust FCU
Highest Percent of Goal by Credit Union: Wheat State FCU
Top Individual Contributor: Greg Winkler, Azura CU

Credit Union PAC of Missouri

Top Credit Union Contributor: CommunityAmerica CU
Highest Percent of Goal by Credit Union: United Consumers CU
Top Individual Contributor: Lisa Ginter, CommunityAmerica CU

Oklahoma Credit Union PAC

Top Credit Union Contributor: Oklahoma Central CU
Highest Percent of Goal by Credit Union: Oklahoma Central CU
Top Individual Contributor: Jeff Carpenter, WEOKIE FCU

Texas Cornerstone Credit Union League PAC

Top Credit Union Contributor: Randolph-Brooks FCU
Highest Percent of Goal by Credit Union: Union Fidelity FCU
Top Individual Contributor: Crystal Long, GECU FCU
Highest Percent of Goal by Chapter: Central Texas Chapter of Credit Unions
Top Chapter Contributor: Houston Chapter of Credit Unions

These awards remind us that behind every great credit union is a team of people who genuinely care about making financial services work better for real people. And that’s something worth recognizing.