Iowa Credit Union Leaders Recognized at National Governmental Affairs Conference
POSTED on March 12, 2026 IN ICUL
Leaders from the Iowa credit union movement were recognized during the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., one of the largest gatherings of credit union professionals in the country.
IOWA - Leaders from the Iowa credit union movement were recognized during the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., one of the largest gatherings of credit union professionals in the country.
The Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) received the Global Good Award from the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. The award recognizes organizations that support global cooperative finance and financial inclusion efforts.
ICUL President and CEO Murray Williams accepted the award on behalf of the ICUL Board of Directors. The recognition highlights the Iowa credit union movement’s longstanding support of international development efforts that strengthen credit union systems in countries across the globe.
Justin Hupfer, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Iowa Credit Union League and CEO of PolicyWorks, was honored during the conference with the 2026 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award from the American Association of Credit Unions Leagues. The award recognizes a league professional who demonstrates visionary leadership and strengthens credit unions at both the state and national levels.
Hupfer has spent more than 25 years advancing Iowa credit unions through advocacy and public affairs. In his role, he leads the League’s government relations strategy and helped establish PolicyWorks, an advocacy and public affairs organization based in West Des Moines that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICUL.
Also recognized during the conference was Gigi Hyland, an Affiliates Management Company (AMC) board member. AMC is the holding company of ICUL. Hyland, a longtime credit union leader, received a 2026 Herb Wegner Memorial Award from the National Credit Union Foundation. The Herb Wegner Awards are among the highest honors in the credit union space and recognize individuals whose leadership and dedication have helped shape the industry.
Hyland spent more than two decades leading the National Credit Union Foundation before retiring in 2024 and has been a longtime advocate for the mission of improving financial well being for all.
“I am proud that the Iowa credit union movement is being recognized nationally for the great work being done to advance our cooperative mission and for the exceptional leaders we have in our organizations,” said Murray Williams, President & CEO of the Iowa Credit Union League. “While these awards are a great honor, they also energize us to continue this important work, and stay committed to improving the financial lives of Iowans.”