2026 Volunteer Leadership Conference Brings Industry Leaders Together

The 2026 Volunteer Leadership Conference brought together credit union board members, committee members, CEOs, and industry experts November 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland, for a weekend focused on the evolving responsibilities of volunteer leadership.

The conference kicked off Friday evening with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) training led by Andre Lucas, Director of Compliance at MD|DC Credit Union Association. The session gave attendees an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of key compliance requirements ahead of the weekend's programming.

Throughout the conference, attendees explored some of the most pressing issues facing credit unions. Sessions examined fraud prevention and economic uncertainty, while also looking at the growing role of AI governance and the importance of building a strong workplace culture.

Industry experts brought their perspectives and practical experience to these conversations. Speakers included Lynn Heckler, CEO of Bluepact Culture; Todd Wacker, Vice President and Director of Member Strategy at FHLBank Atlanta; David Williams, Senior Relationship Manager at FHLBank Atlanta; John Meyer, Managing Director at Cornerstone Advisors; Susan Ralston, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Tower Federal Credit Union; and Pankaj Kulshreshtha, Founder and CEO of Scienaptic AI.

The conference also featured a board leadership panel moderated by John Bratsakis, President and CEO of MD|DC Credit Union Association. Board chairs representing Chessie Federal Credit Union, DC Federal Credit Union, DEXSTA Federal Credit Union, and Tower Federal Credit Union, along with Daniel McCarthy, CEO of Del-One Federal Credit Union, shared their experiences leading through change. The discussion offered perspectives on the board's role in guiding strategic decisions and helping credit unions navigate an evolving industry.

The weekend concluded with a look at the changing political landscape and its implications for credit unions. Rory Murray, VP of Advocacy at MD|DC Credit Union Association, and Ibby Dickson, Manager of Federal Advocacy at The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, discussed the midterm election results and what they could mean for credit union advocacy priorities in the next Congress.

Thank you to all of our speakers, panelists, sponsors, and attendees for making the 2026 Volunteer Leadership Conference a success. The conversations throughout the weekend reinforced the important role volunteer leaders play in shaping the future of their credit unions.