Crash Hike the Hill 2026: Young Professionals Find Their Voice

For the Cornerstone Young Professionals who participated in Hike the Hill 2026, a trip to Washington, D.C., became much more than an advocacy event. It was an opportunity to experience firsthand how credit unions come together to champion their members, build relationships with policymakers, and strengthen the future of the movement.

Jada Davis-Lopez	Fabiola Francisco	Vincent Wagner	Chelsie Donahue

Many participants arrived unsure of what to expect but quickly discovered the power of advocacy and the importance of sharing their perspectives.

Jada Davis-Lopez, communication center service representative at Oklahoma Central Credit Union, said the experience inspired her to become more involved in advocacy.

“It has lit a fire in me toward political advocacy, and I plan to stay engaged and work toward the next advocacy event,” Davis-Lopez said.

Her experience underscored how credit union professionals can use their firsthand knowledge of members and their needs to help lawmakers better understand the real-world effects of policy decisions.

Fabiola Francisco, regional branch manager at Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, also came away with a deeper appreciation for the role advocacy plays in serving members.

“One of my biggest takeaways was the critical role advocacy plays in protecting and strengthening the credit union movement,” Francisco said.

For Vincent Wagener, senior communications specialist at Mazuma Credit Union, Hike the Hill provided a leadership development opportunity and a closer look at how credit union professionals can make their voices heard in Washington.

Wagener described Hike the Hill as “a fantastic experience” that offered “a front-row seat for in-depth discussions about the importance of advocacy and how to use our voices and experiences to help legislators understand the issues facing our members and our institutions.”

Connecting with peers, Cornerstone League leaders, and credit union executives also gave Wagener new insights and greater confidence to bring back to his credit union.

The relationships formed throughout the event were equally meaningful for Chelsie Donahue, learning and development supervisor at Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union.

“I learned that I don’t have to have all the answers in order to have a voice,” Donahue said.

She also emphasized the importance of sharing member stories so policymakers hear from the people affected by the decisions they make.

Together, the experiences reinforced a powerful message: advocacy belongs to everyone in the credit union movement. Whether meeting with congressional staff, sharing member stories, or building relationships with fellow advocates, the Young Professionals saw firsthand the impact a unified voice can have.

They returned home with stronger connections, a deeper understanding of advocacy, and renewed confidence in their ability to speak up for the members and communities they serve.

Together, the experiences reinforced the idea that advocacy belongs to everyone in the credit union movement. The Young Professionals returned home with stronger connections, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of how sharing member stories can help policymakers understand the real-world impact of their decisions.