RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.–The American Association of Credit Union Leagues has wrapped up its Winter Conference here at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here, and the Illinois Credit Union League, which had a full delegation in attendance, said the primary message it took away from the event is that credit unions’ “strength is—and continues to be—the trust built between leagues and ACU.
The Illinois league said its leadership attended the conference with a “clear purpose: deepen national alignment, share strategy with counterparts, and bring back insights that directly support Illinois credit unions.”
The Biggest Takeaway
According to President/CEO Libby Calderone, the biggest takeaway was witnessing the collective resolve of leagues nationwide and ACU united around a singular mission—to protect, elevate, and advance credit unions.
“It is powerful to be part of a system that not only collaborates but truly functions as one voice for one movement,” Calderone said. “The strength of leagues working together is how advocacy wins are secured—and how future challenges will be met.”
Patrick Smith, EVP Chief Advocacy Officer, added in a statement that the regulatory perspective gained during the NCUA Western Region discussion will “directly inform and sharpen Illinois’ approach” heading into 2026. “The dialogue with NCUA provided clarity and context that will help shape our regulatory posture this year. That level of access and candor is what sets this gathering apart,” Smith said.
Individual Perspectives
According to the league, other members of its management team also had takeaways, including:
- Jamie Conrad, SVP of credit and debit, and Melanie Murphy, executive director of the Illinois Credit Union Foundation, noted that connecting with peer leagues who understand identical legislative pressures and member needs remains one of the most energizing and validating aspects of the conference.
- Doug Williams, VP-product development & strategy, appreciated how candid exchanges and unexpected perspectives push league work to stay adaptive and innovative.
- Melissa Vidito, director of Marketing and Communications, reflected on how closely the experience mirrors ICUL’s own Peer Networking Symposium—”where true peer-to-peer exchange creates clarity, efficiency, and operational cohesion unique to this industry.”
- Keith Sias, SVP of governmental affairs, emphasized the strategic value of those conversations, noting that league-to-league exchange is where shared priorities solidify and challenges become collective solutions rather than isolated hurdles.
- Ashley Sharp, SVP state advocacy & legislative counsel, appreciated candid insight into ACU’s vision under new leadership, and found value in strategizing on the alignment of state and federal priorities to strengthen the industry.
