MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.–The second annual CU Impact Forum has concluded here.
Hosted by the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and held at Kinecta Federal Credit Union's operations center, the event was “dedicated to empowering credit unions in their mission to transform communities, measure progress, and amplify stories of social change,” according to the leagues.
The leagues reported the event, which had the theme “Unite for Change,” brought together 60 credit union “social impact practitioners for a unique blend of exceptional sessions, collaborative workshops, and a community development field trip.”
“The diverse perspectives and innovative approaches shared at CU Impact were inspiring,” Scott Simpson, president and CEO of the leagues, said in a statement. “As credit union leaders across California and Nevada, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to drive positive change. This forum once again equipped us with the tools and knowledge to do just that. We were honored attendees took time out of their schedules to come together once again and partner for our united social impact mission and vision.”
Actionable Insights
According to the organization, attendees left with actionable insights and a renewed determination to make a lasting impact in their local communities for credit union members as the focus on engagement and measurement resonated deeply.
“The keynote presentations, data, and stories weren’t just narratives — they stood as a testament to the transformative power of credit unions in the lives of members,” the leagues said.
Among those addressing the meeting was California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Deputy Commissioner Purvi Patel, who the leagues reported was able to observe first-hand how credit union leaders are “increasingly threading social impact efforts into their local mission and efforts.”
Patel was formerly Self-Help FCU’s assistant general counsel and part of the credit union’s executive staff from 2016 to 2022.
“Overall, social impact practitioners said CU Impact invigorated their efforts to effectively connect and collaborate, making their personal involvement at the local level with credit union members and the communities they serve that much more powerful,” the leagues said in a statement.
‘Much-Needed Platform’
The leagues added the annual forum provided a much-needed platform for open dialogue and collaboration.
“By uniting for change, we can leverage our collective strengths to address the unique challenges facing our communities and create a more equitable and sustainable future,” Amanda Merz, vice president of impact and development for the leagues, said in a statement. “We want to thank attendees for putting their best foot forward in our mutual responsibility to share best practices and improve the social impact of every credit union across California and Nevada.”
Event at Kinecta’s Watts Branch
The leagues reported that to off the event, attendees participated in a guided excursion to Kinecta Federal Credit Union's Watts branch in South Los Angeles, “gaining firsthand insights from credit unions dedicated to community-driven development.
“The trip included engaging discussions with community partners that fostered meaningful relationships, and it concluded with a networking dinner at the renowned Harold and Belle's restaurant — established in 1969 with white tablecloths, a Creole flare, and Southern hospitality,” the Leagues added.
The Leagues called the field trip a “powerful reminder of the benefits that community-focused initiatives can have.”
Kinecta opened the branch in the community last year.
A ‘Revitalization’
“With the support of its many dedicated community organizations, Watts is undergoing a revitalization that has brought prominence back to this historic district — with Kinecta also playing an important role in these efforts,” the Leagues said. “CU Impact attendees said it was a privilege to learn from Kinecta practitioners’ experiences as they connected with other social impact leaders who are equally dedicated to making a difference.”
Added Latrice McGlothin, executive director of the Kinecta Community Foundation, “Watts is a vibrant, historically rich community in Los Angeles. Early in the planning stages for the Watts location, we had the opportunity to leverage our long-standing partnerships in the area, which provided honest advice, clear direction and engaging support. These important conversations helped build awareness and foster immediate connections with community members.”
Additional Highlights
According to the Leagues, other highlights from the event included:
- A diverse range of “extraordinary sessions” dove into critical topics shaping the future of social impact in credit unions. In “The Art of Impact Storytelling,” participants “uncovered the power of storytelling to amplify their credit union's brand identity and connect with members who shared their values. They learned how to articulate brand values, bridge the gap between mission and audience, and utilize various mediums for amplifying their footprint and presence,” the Leagues said.
- An update from Inclusiv on the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding for green lending, including environmental practices within credit unions. Insights into successful projects and their impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions were shared, the leagues said.
- A session on housing that also looked at how regional housing programs can empower members toward generational wealth. Attendees discovered ways to expand access to affordable housing through local partnerships and actionable steps.
- Learning around the importance of a clear mission statement and data-driven measurement in driving sustainable community impact. Strategies for developing robust measurement frameworks to track progress and outcomes were shared, concluding with an ‘Impact Power Hour’ that had attendees cross-collaborating and sharing newly generated ideas to take back to their credit unions,” the Leagues said.
The Speakers
Other speakers included:
- Dora Beyer, director of community development for Excite Credit Union
- Latrice McGlothin, executive director of Kinecta Community Foundation
- Becca Whitman, founder and principal consultant for Guide & Give
- Matthew Stratford, marketing manager of Cnote
- Pablo DeFilippi, executive vice president for Inclusiv Network
- Erica Taylor, senior vice president of community impact and public relations for Golden 1 CU
- Eric Johnson, marketing and communications manager for California Housing Finance Agency
- Amanda Merz, vice president of impact and development for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
- Diana Cervantes, vice president of social impact for SCE CU
- Kelly Gear, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for FHLBank San Francisco
- Damian Alarcon, government relations and social impact director for Travis CU
- Brice Yocum, CEO Tucoemas FCU.
Photos from the event can be viewed here.