AACUL Winter Conference Celebrates Unified Efforts to Advance the Credit Union Difference

Three-day gathering reinforces alignment, collaboration, and advocacy strength heading into 2026

Washington, DC — The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) held its annual Winter Conference last week, driving three days of strategy, dialogue, and shared purpose among more than 225 credit union system leaders. Representatives from AACUL, the League System, America’s Credit Unions (ACU), and other key system partners gathered under the theme “Align. Amplify. Advance.” This strategic event underscores the ongoing effort to strengthen and elevate the credit union movement.

Participants focused on aligning advocacy priorities, amplifying the industry’s impact, and advancing collective success for 2026 and beyond. Conversations centered on the power of the credit union story, policy challenges ahead, and the shared responsibility to drive meaningful advocacy outcomes.

“We are especially proud of the engagement in this year’s conference,” shared AACUL President Brad Miller. “Alignment between state and national advocacy structures is key to a thriving credit union movement. Among other things, it enables rapid response to threats, strategic pursuit of industry priorities, and fuels the collaboration, momentum, and innovation that advance our movement.

“Our synergy doesn’t happen by accident. The trust is earned, and the intentional integration of our processes has been carefully designed to bolster our collaboration,” Miller added.

Throughout the conference, attendees discussed proactive opportunities for 2026 and reflected on key learnings from 2025 advocacy wins, including protecting the credit union tax status, defeating harmful interchange legislation, and securing continued federal support for the CDFI Fund. Speakers also leaned into the need to amplify the credit union “why,” reflecting on the millions of consumers who benefit from credit union membership.

In addition to producing dialogue, AACUL held its annual meeting in conjunction with the conference, during which the new AACUL Board took effect, and 2026 AACUL Board Officers were elected:

• Chair: John Bratsakis, president/CEO of the MD|DC Credit Union Association
• Vice Chair: Dan Schline, president/CEO of the Carolinas Credit Union League
• Secretary/Treasurer: Caroline Willard, president/CEO of the Cornerstone League

Other AACUL Board members include Samantha A.M. Beeler, president of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates; Patty Corkery, president/CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League; and Keith Sultemeier, President/CEO of Kinecta Federal Credit Union. Ex-officio members of the AACUL Board include Pat Conway (Immediate Past Chair), President/CEO of CrossState Credit Union Association; Scott Simpson, president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions; and Brad Miller, president of AACUL.

AACUL President Brad Miller poses with League Presidents who serve on the AACUL Board. (From L to R: AACUL President Brad Miller, MD|DC Credit Union Association President/CEO John Bratsakis, Cornerstone League President/CEO Caroline Willard, CrossState Credit Union Association President/CEO Patrick Conway, Michigan Credit Union League President/CEO Patty Corkery, Carolinas Credit Union League President/CEO Dan Schline, The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates President Samantha A.M. Beeler)

AACUL President Brad Miller poses with League Presidents who attended the 2025 AACUL Winter Conference.

CrossState Credit Union President/CEO Pat Conway and AACUL President Brad Miller present MCUL and CUSG President/CEO Patty Corkery with the prestigious AACUL Eagle Award, recognizing exemplary League leadership.

America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson addresses the audience during the General Session at the 2025 AACUL Winter Conference.

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The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) is the national association for the state and regional credit union leagues/associations throughout the United States. AACUL’s mission is to leverage the collective power of Leagues to create advocacy wins for credit unions and build a strong network of credit union associations. We do this by providing advocacy support to yield impact, fostering collaboration and professional development for league staff, and representing the League System to America’s Credit Unions and other industry partners in order to protect and advance a vibrant credit union system.