2025 Awards Gala

Join Us for the 2025 Awards Gala

February 11, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Tickets include the reception starting at 5:00 and dinner beginning at 6:00. Cocktail attire is encouraged. The professional photographer will begin photos at 4:30 for award winners.

Ticketing and Sponsorship Details

Registration is underway for the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s Annual Awards Gala held in conjunction with the Carolinas Credit Union League’s LAUNCH conference at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa. Individual tickets are $175 and sponsorships are also available. The Awards Gala serves as the Foundation’s premier fundraising event, showcasing and honoring the tremendous accomplishments of credit unions and hero professionals in our industry. The Awards Gala is always a sell-out so secure your tickets today for a night filled with inspiring and empowering examples of our People Helping People philosophy.

For questions or to be invoiced for an Awards Gala sponsorship, please contact Lauren Whaley at [email protected].

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2025 Hero Awards Honorees

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sandy Milton
Chief Operating Officer | Piedmont Advantage Credit Union

About Sandy Milton

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation proudly recognizes Sandy Milton as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for her more than four decades of dedicated service to the credit union movement. Throughout her remarkable career, including nearly 29 years at Truliant Federal Credit Union and 11 years at Piedmont Advantage Credit Union, Sandy has embodied the cooperative spirit of people helping people through her leadership, innovation, and commitment to members and colleagues alike. From transforming member services and operations to guiding financial literacy initiatives and mentoring future leaders, her work has elevated both the member experience and the professionals who serve them. Her vision and expertise have strengthened credit unions across the Carolinas, leaving a legacy of excellence, compassion, and collaboration. The Foundation celebrates Sandy’s lifelong impact and the enduring mark she has made on the credit union community she has so faithfully served.

Advancing Equity Award

Southern Regional Chapter (SRC) of AACUC

About the Southern Regional Chapter (SRC) of AACUC

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation proudly recognizes the Southern Regional Chapter (SRC) of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) as the recipient of the Advancing Equity Award, honoring the chapter’s outstanding commitment to advancing the 8th Cooperative Principle of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Since its founding in 2018, the SRC has become a beacon of progress, uniting credit union professionals across ten southern states through transformative programs, courageous conversations, and a shared dedication to building a more inclusive movement.

The Foundation celebrates the dedication of the 2025 SRC Chapter Officers: President: Jamie Keith (SECU), Co–Vice Presidents: Grace Thompson (CIVIC FCU) & Erin Coleman (Callahan & Associates), Secretary: Jazzmine Goodwin (SECU), Co–Treasurers: Kimberly Plant (Firefly Consulting) & Kirshunda King (Carrick Professionals), Parliamentarian: Emma Hayes (SECU), Membership Director: Brandon Browne (SECU), Community Outreach Director: Emily Nail (Coastal) and Communication Director: Asha Osoro (SECU). Guided by the visionary leadership of Ms. Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO of AACUC, the SRC exemplifies what it means to live out the cooperative values, turning dialogue into action and unity into lasting change.

Partner in Philanthropy Award

James V. and Elizabeth N. Hamilton Foundation and Summit Credit Union

About the James V. and Elizabeth N. Hamilton Foundation and Summit Credit Union

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation proudly recognizes the James V. and Elizabeth N. Hamilton Foundation and Summit Credit Union, as one of the 2025 Partner in Philanthropy Award recipients for its steadfast commitment to empowering small credit unions across the Carolinas. Established by Summit Credit Union in honor of Elizabeth “Sis” Hamilton, a visionary leader who devoted seven decades to the credit union movement, the Hamilton Fund at the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation continues her legacy of compassion, cooperation, and service. Through its Professional Development Grant Program funded exclusively by the James & Elizabeth Hamilton Foundation, critical funding for training, leadership development and strategic planning has helped small credit unions thrive and better serve their members. Each grant creates a ripple effect, strengthening the movement with more capable and resilient leaders in our small credit unions. The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation celebrates the James V. & Elizabeth N. Hamilton Foundation and Summit Credit Union for exemplifying the true spirit of people helping people and for advancing the cooperative legacy that Sis so passionately championed

Partner in Philanthropy Award

Philanthropy Summit

About the Philanthropy Summit

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation also proudly recognizes the Philanthropy Summit as another recipient of this year’s Partner in Philanthropy Award for its outstanding impact in advancing collaboration and community leadership across North Carolina. Now in its fourth year, the Philanthropy Summit has become a cornerstone event for nonprofit professionals in North Carolina, creating space for learning, connection, and empowerment grounded in the credit union philosophy of people helping people. Led by the Coastal Credit Union Foundation, Civic Foundation and SECU Foundation, in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, the event equips organizations with tools and inspiration to strengthen their missions and communities. From dynamic sessions to thoughtful engagement opportunities, the Philanthropy Summit embodies philanthropy in action. The Foundation celebrates this collective effort for modeling how cooperation and compassion can spark lasting change across the Carolinas.

2025 Credit Union Award Winners

New Award Category Disaster Response Champions Award

The Disaster Response Champions Award recognizes credit unions that embody the cooperative spirit at its highest level when disaster strikes. This award honors institutions that respond swiftly and selflessly, providing critical relief and compassionate support to members, employees, and communities in times of greatest need.