Small credit union leaders from California, Nevada, and Utah gathered in Anaheim for the 2026 Shapiro Summit from August 21-22, setting a new attendance record with 151 participants, 46 participating credit unions, and 13 business partners.
Designed for credit unions with under $287 million in assets, the two-day summit offered high-impact education, a forum for executives to exchange ideas, and strategic networking focused on turning shared operational challenges into strengths.
Networking and collaboration remain critical for the success of small credit unions, with nearly 40 percent of this year’s attendees participating for the first time.
Jeremy Empol, president and CEO of California’s and Nevada’s Credit Unions, praised the leadership of the Shapiro Advisory Committee and highlighted the power of cross-league collaboration.
“Everything the Shapiro committee has been able to do these last couple of years is pretty remarkable,” Empol said. “They have become strategic leaders. Small credit unions do big things.”
He also underscored the role of Fuel Solutions and league partnerships in delivering compliance, education, and strategic support for Shapiro credit unions across California, Nevada, and Utah.
Adding an element of fun and advocacy to the opening proceedings, attendees participated in a lively PAC fundraiser auction for a lunch with Empol, challenging credit unions to raise funds to continue building legislative champions in the state capitols and Congress.
Thinkwise Credit Union CEO Eddie Garcia kicked off Saturday morning by sharing insights into “adapting and succeeding,” reminding attendees that “knowledge defeats fear.” Garcia noted that when organizations know what to expect, fear goes away.
Saturday’s keynote address by Shari Storm, CEO of Category 6 Consulting, focused on “Kids These Days: Capturing the Hearts, Minds, and Wallets of Young Consumers.” She stressed that long-term brand affinity is established early in life, and she urged leaders to create nostalgic connection points before young consumers reach major banking milestones.
To win the hearts, minds, and wallets of members under age 25, Storm outlined strategies credit unions can implement immediately, including sponsoring local youth sports, launching kids’ clubs, offering scholarships, and connecting with mothers over shared community values. Leaders can also optimize mobile apps, create fun in-branch experiences, deliver tailored content on popular youth media channels, and guide development through youth focus groups and young employee advisory boards.
The summit also featured interactive formats designed to foster a range of dialogue. During the CEO Round Robin session, emerging leaders and C-suite executives engaged in 10 rapid seven-minute rounds to discuss career development and executive leadership journeys.
Attendees also participated in three practical breakout tracks that repeated throughout the afternoon. Heather Line, director of compliance support for the Leagues, led “Stablecoins: Money Movement, The GENIUS Act, and the Questions Nobody’s Answered Yet.” Marlene Juarez, vice president of professional services and training at Origence, presented “Remove the Roadblocks: Building a Frictionless Lending Experience.”
Sam Plester, CEO of Mission Brands Consulting, led “Waste, Inertia, and Murder? Key Insights Hidden in Your Data (That You Needn’t Pay Fintechs to Find),” sharing strategies to help resource-constrained leaders unearth cost-saving patterns inside their own data.
This year’s Shapiro Summit balanced educational strategy with peer connection, featuring a networking social hour followed by an evening of friendly competition at Splitsville in Downtown Disney, with bowling, pub dining, and team building.
The Shapiro Advisory Committee would like to thank this year’s sponsors:
