California’s Credit Unions’ Sacramento Valley Network hosted its 2026 CEO Panel, “Leading Through Change,” on Tuesday evening at the Hilton Arden West in Sacramento — bringing together leaders for a discussion on political, economic, and technological shifts reshaping the financial landscape.
Moderated by California’s Credit Unions Interim President and CEO Lucy Ito, the evening opened with a focus on external pressures to credit unions. Bill Cheney, CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, reflected on a year marked by political change.
He highlighted the impact of the credit union movement’s Bite Of Reality program, and he also said his senior management team’s dedication to member service has strengthened relationships during volatile times. While discussing technological innovation’s rapid speed today, Cheney admitted to a personal wariness of “Agentic AI,” describing how its implications can be as unsettling as they are transformative.
Technological evolution was also central to Pacific Service Credit Union CEO Jenna Lampson’s comments. She said the future of banking is not “digital only” but must be “high tech and high touch.”
Lampson shared how her organization is prioritizing artificial intelligence governance and automation to drive efficiencies so staff can dedicate more high-quality, personal time to members. She encouraged the audience to look past the discomfort of transformation, noting that “after a hard change, we come out of it as better people.”
Faye Nabhani is a self-proclaimed “digital geek,” echoing this sentiment and sharing how her organization is constantly finding “a thousand little things” to improve how members access their money. The CEO of SAFE Credit Union talked about the SAFE For What’s Next marketing campaign, which focuses on supporting members through every stage of life.
Nabhani also shared insight into SAFE’s strategic combination with BECU. “Scale matters in every area,” she said, explaining the combination will provide material value and broader product depth for SAFE members. Joining with BECU embodies SAFE’s commitment to members, providing financial value and the technology tools members want, while maintaining the personal member relationships SAFE’s members know and love.
Internal culture was also highlighted on the panel. Shonna Shearson, CEO of First U.S. Community Credit Union, discussed how a strong, unified team culture has helped her credit union sustain big changes. As digital adoption trends reveal how members are visiting physical branches less frequently, Shearson said her team is working to make sure the credit union is present wherever its members are.
Shearson said a credit union’s purpose must be built “from the inside out” and shared her excitement about living First U.S. Community’s core values. Preparing staff for change requires the “soft skills” of empathy and recognizing employees as whole human beings.
“We often focus on the mechanics of change, but the real infrastructure of a credit union is its people,” Shearson said. “By prioritizing the whole person and fostering a culture of empathy, we make sure our staff is equipped to lead our members through genuine connection.”
The event’s silent auction raised $5,000 for the Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation, fueled by bidding on private lunches with the CEO panelists and other fun items. These contributions will go directly toward supporting the foundation’s mission in the community.
The Sacramento Valley Network’s “Leading Through Change” CEO Panel event was made possible by a distinguished group of sponsors:
The network would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in making the panel a successful evening of connection, leadership, and learning!
