Testimonial: Finding Purpose at the Peak of APEX

It was Wednesday morning, and armed with a notebook, an open mind, and just enough coffee to spark productivity, I arrived at APEX eager to learn. As a young professional in the credit union industry, I expected to leave with new ideas, practical insights, and a few additional LinkedIn connections. What I didn’t expect was to leave with a renewed perspective on purpose, leadership, and the impact we can make.

Over the next few days, I found myself challenged, inspired, and occasionally reminded that growth often begins when we’re willing to rethink our assumptions. Somewhere between thought-provoking conversations, new connections, and one very important Mario Kart victory, I discovered that APEX had much more to offer than professional development alone.

The conference kicked off with an engaging keynote session, “Leading Across Generations,” presented by Phil Gwoke. Through a combination of research, storytelling, and humor, Phil explored the communication and relationship gaps that often exist between generations in the workplace.

One of the most impactful takeaways was his discussion of Generation Z. Rather than reinforcing common stereotypes that younger professionals are entitled or unwilling to work hard, he challenged attendees to consider the unique circumstances that have shaped this generation’s perspective and approach to work. As one of the few Gen Z attendees at APEX, this message resonated with me personally. It was refreshing to hear a perspective that validated the challenges my generation has faced while also recognizing the value we bring to the workplace. As I continue to grow within the credit union movement, the session reminded me that fostering understanding across generations is essential to building stronger teams and stronger organizations.

Another standout session was “Financial Health as a Growth Strategy: How Education Builds Loyalty and Long-Term Value,” presented by Michael Dery. As Director of Training & Implementation, this session immediately caught my attention.

The discussion reinforced the idea that financial education is not only one of our credit union cooperative principles but also a meaningful business strategy. By helping members improve their financial well-being, credit unions can strengthen trust, deepen relationships, and create long-term value. Perhaps most importantly, the session provided renewed momentum around an idea I have been interested in pursuing for some time: developing a financial literacy hub on my credit union’s website. I left the session energized with a new outlook on financial education and eager to continue exploring ways to expand educational resources for our members.

One of the sessions I was most eager to attend was the “Purpose & Profit: Turning Social Mission into Business Strategy,” featuring Dave Hinchey, Robyn Swanson, Hank Baum, and Alejandra Gomez. Several colleagues have encouraged me to consider pursuing the Development Educator (DE) Program, and I viewed this panel as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of its philosophy and impact.

Going into the session, I wasn’t convinced that DE was within my wheelhouse. Much of my work takes place behind the scenes, ensuring employees have the training, resources, and support they need to succeed. I often viewed community engagement and outreach efforts as work best suited for those in public-facing roles.

This panel completely shifted the perspective.

The speakers emphasized that creating meaningful impact is not limited by a title or department. Instead, it begins with a commitment to service and a willingness to advance the credit union movement wherever you are positioned within your organization. One quote that particularly resonated with me came from Hank Baum: “the mission drives the margin”, reminding me that our bottom line and our core values are directly tied to one another. Robyn Swanson built on that message by encouraging organizations to place DE principles at the forefront of their strategic planning efforts rather than treating them as individual initiatives.

I left the session with a powerful realization: my ability to contribute to our mission doesn’t stop at the boundaries of my job description. Whether supporting employees, championing education, or helping create opportunities for growth, there are countless ways to make a difference. Most importantly, I was reminded that regardless of my title, having the heart to serve is all that is needed to keep our core values alive in my organization.

Beyond the educational sessions, APEX provided countless opportunities for networking and connection. The vendor hall was thoughtfully organized, welcoming, and filled with professionals eager to share ideas and experiences. Although I visited numerous booths during APEX, I can’t mention the vendor hall without giving a special shoutout to the AACUC booth, a cause near and dear to my heart.

Of course, not all of the memorable moments happened inside the conference rooms.

In what may be my greatest contribution to the event, I successfully claimed the highly prestigious and completely unofficial title of APEX Mario Kart Champion, besting my peers at AFN CU in a “friendly” competition during the CT Credit Union’s reception. I also had the pleasure of singing a few throwback jams alongside Dave Hinchey and fellow attendees, which is what I would call peak networking. All of these moments served as my reminder that some of the strongest professional connections are built not only through learning, but also through shared experiences, laughter, and a little healthy competition.

As I reflect on my time at APEX, I am grateful for not only the knowledge I gained but also for the relationships I built and the inspiration I brought home with me. The conference challenged me to think differently and encouraged me to continue growing into the credit union professional I know I’m meant to be.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the teams at Connecticut’s Credit Unions and the Cooperative Credit Union Association for continuing to host such an excellent event. Through your dedication, hundreds of credit union professionals will learn, grow, and strengthen the spirit that makes our industry so unique.

I am incredibly grateful for the scholarship that made my attendance possible and for the opportunity to learn from so many talented leaders throughout the conference. While I arrived at APEX looking for knowledge and inspiration, I left with something even more valuable: a greater sense of confidence in the impact I can make within the credit union movement.

This experience reminded me that growth begins when we stop placing limits on ourselves. The ideas, conversations, and connections from APEX have already challenged me to think bigger about what's possible, both in my current role and in the future.

So, while I was fortunate enough to attend APEX as an attendee this year, I'd like to think this is only the beginning. With any luck, a few years from now, you'll find me on the other side of the conference agenda, sharing lessons of my own and contributing to the professional development of others. Until then, I'll be taking everything I've learned and putting it into action, one initiative, one opportunity, and maybe one Mario Kart victory at a time.