SNELLVILLE, GA – With nearly 1,000 attendees, the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) had a strong presence at the CU Leadership Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada today by presenting the first ever DEI Summit and with its President/CEO Renée Sattiewhite receiving the inaugural Neoteric Change Maker Award. 

“We’re very grateful and excited to have partnered with CU Leadership Convention to share insights to help growth-minded industry executives sharpen their competencies around diversity, inclusion and change,” said Renée Sattiewhite, AACUC President/CEO. “Having the respect of the industry to bring these critical topics to the forefront through a dedicated breakout track at this premier event demonstrates AACUC and CU Leadership’s alignment in vision.”

The multi-session DEI Summit track featured four distinct breakouts:

• “Attracting Minority Leaders to the C Suite” presented by AACUC Chief HR Officer and McPherson|Berry President/CEO LaSonya Berry

• “Let’s Get Real: What it Takes to Make a Commitment as a Change Leader” panel featuring Visions Federal Credit Union and incoming AACUC Board Director Tyrone Muse, Baylor Health Care System Credit Union and incoming AACUC Board Director Delana Huling and SRP Federal Credit Union Executive Vice President/Chief Retail Officer Liz Ponder and moderated by AACUC President/CEO Renée Sattiewhite

• “Leading Change: How Inspiring Leaders Empower Those Around Them to Achieve More” presented by AACUC Chief Experience Officer Dohnia Dorman

• “It Begins at the Top: Creating a Culture of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in the Boardroom” presented by AACUC Board Chair and retired CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union and Civic Federal Credit Union Maurice R. Smith

Attendees walked away with practical tips and guidance to equip and empower themselves and their organizations forward.

The morning kicked off with the presentation of the Neoteric Leadership Award Ceremony, where Sattiewhite was honored with the inaugural Neoteric Changemaker Award, a national recognition to an individual who has demonstrated personal perseverance, advanced the cause of ‘people helping people’ and advocating for relevant ideation coupled with creating positive programming for leaders. The annual award will be renamed in Renée Sattiewhite’s honor next year. 

“We’re very proud of Renée Sattiewhite, the work she has achieved to advance diversity and inclusion, and the spirit in which she has elevated AACUC’s brand along the way,” said AACUC Board Chair Maurice R. Smith. “She is very deserving of this honor, and I’m quite confident Ms. Sattiewhite will continue to push the envelope and create pathways for people of color and allies to thrive within our movement.”

The two organizations plan to partner next year to provide a joint conference experience.

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About the African-American Credit Union Coalition

The AACUC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to increase diversity within the credit union community through advocacy and professional development. Recipient of the 2022 Anchor Award from the National Credit Union Foundation for its leadership and global efforts unifying financial industries in eradicating racism amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest in 2020 with its Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism initiative, AACUC has become an all-encompassing organization for executives, professionals, volunteers, consultants and regulators within the financial services industry. AACUC is considered a leader in the credit union movement, adopting the 8th Cooperative Principle (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and enabling credit unions to become more diverse and inclusive. For more information, visit: www.aacuc.org or follow us on social media at: Facebook.com/AACUC1, Linkedin.com/company/AACUC, Twitter.com/AACUC1 or Instagram.com/aacucctc.