Filene Research Institute is thrilled to announce the newest cohort of emerging credit union leaders chosen for The Cooperative Trust’s Crash the GAC program at America’s Credit Unions 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C., March 1-5, 2026.

Now in its 17^th year, Crash the GAC continues to be one of the movement’s most visible pipelines for rising talent offering standout emerging professionals a front-row seat to the largest credit union advocacy event in the nation. Crashers gain access to key industry conversations, meetings with top credit union CEOs, and unique leadership development experiences designed to strengthen both their careers and the broader credit union system.

“One of the things that gives me the most confidence in the future of this movement is the next generation stepping up,” said Scott Simpson, president and CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “The leaders selected to Crash the GAC represent the talent, passion, and purpose that will shape the future of cooperative finance, and I’m excited to see the impact they’ll have not just at GAC, but throughout their careers. Their presence strengthens our movement and ensures the credit union difference remains strong for years to come.”

Crashers from California and Nevada credit unions include:

• Rafael Barajas, virtual branch manager for Silver State Schools Credit Union (Nevada).
• Amanda Gamban, community engagement manager for Bay Federal Credit Union (California).
• Danial Khan, financial wellness lead for Stanford Federal Credit Union (California).
• Aldo Navarrette Manager, enterprise risk manager for Kinecta Federal Credit Union (California).

Crash leaders from California include:

• Taylor Ellison, community engagement strategist for Visa (California).

Selected from a highly competitive national applicant pool, this year’s Crashers represent diverse roles and credit unions of every asset size. This elite group will share a unique experience that gives them a seat at the table, connecting them to the industry’s brightest minds, deepening their connection to the credit union mission and building lifelong relationships.

Crash the GAC programming is made possible by The Cooperative Trust from Filene Research Institute and is brought to you by the generous support from America’s Credit Unions. Crash the GAC’s annual Thunderpunch event is powered by SavvyMoney.

For more information about the Crash the GAC program and to see the selected Crashers, please visit here.