Madison, WI – Filene Research Institute is thrilled to announce the newest cohort of emerging credit union leaders chosen for The Cooperative Trust’s Crash the GAC program at America’s Credit Unions 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C., March 1-5, 2026.
Now in its 17th year, Crash the GAC continues to be one of the movement’s most visible pipelines for rising talent offering standout emerging professionals a front-row seat to the largest credit union advocacy event in the nation. Crashers gain access to key industry conversations, meetings with top credit union CEOs, and unique leadership development experiences designed to strengthen both their careers and the broader credit union system.
“One of the things that gives me the most confidence in the future of this movement is the next generation stepping up,” stated Scott Simpson, President & CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “The leaders selected to Crash the GAC represent the talent, passion, and purpose that will shape the future of cooperative finance, and I’m excited to see the impact they’ll have not just at GAC, but throughout their careers. Their presence strengthens our movement and ensures the credit union difference remains strong for years to come.”
Selected from a highly competitive national applicant pool, this year’s Crashers represent diverse roles and credit unions of every asset size. This elite group will share a unique experience that gives them a seat at the table, connecting them to the industry’s brightest minds, deepening their connection to the credit union mission and building lifelong relationships.
One of the 2026 Crashers, Tyler Lewallen, Mortgage Servicing Specialist III at AmFirst Credit Union, shared excitement about this highly recognized opportunity. “When I think of “people helping people,” I think about speaking up for others and advocating for those whose voices aren’t always heard. I’m genuinely excited for the opportunity to be surrounded by more than 60 like-minded emerging professionals as we take DC by storm, learn more about the credit union movement, and better understand how our voices matter, and how they can be used to create real, positive change. As a previous Filene Crasher, I know this is the kind of experience I’ll look back on long after the week has passed.”
Crash the GAC programming is made possible by The Cooperative Trust from Filene Research Institute and is brought to you by the generous support from America’s Credit Unions. Crash the GAC’s annual Thunderpunch event is powered by SavvyMoney. For more information about the Crash the GAC program and to see the selected Crashers, please visit filene.org/blog/crashgac26.
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About Filene: Filene Research Institute strengthens organizations through innovative research and incubation to improve consumer financial well-being. As an independent cooperative finance think tank, Filene’s membership network connects a community of leaders and bright minds to change lives through innovation, truth and cooperation. In addition to delivering cutting-edge, actionable academic research, Filene also provides incubators to test and scale solutions, events to spark organizations into action and advisory services to help accelerate and implement innovation. For more information, visit filene.org and follow on LinkedIn.
About the Cooperative Trust: The Cooperative Trust, with its award-winning Crash programming, is the international community of young credit union professionals, brought to you by Filene Research Institute and made possible by America’s Credit Unions. The Cooperative Trust won the Herb Wegner Award for Outstanding Program in 2017. To learn more, visit cooperativetrust.com.
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