The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) has announced the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Maurice R. Smith Leadership Award, with Carlos Calderón, President and CEO of OAS Federal Credit Union, recognized as one of this year’s distinguished honorees.

The winners will be celebrated during the 2025 AACUC Annual Conference on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, GA.

Joining Calderón among the honorees are:

• Ronaldo Hardy, President/CEO, Balance
• Susan Mitchell, CEO, Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates
• Jim Morrell, CEO, Peninsula Credit Union
• George Ombado, Executive Director/CEO, ACCOSCA
• Joe Thomas, President/CEO, NextMark Credit Union

Renamed in 2023 in honor of AACUC’s Immediate Past Chairman and DEI advocate Maurice R. Smith, the biennial award honors credit union leaders who exemplify:

• Thought leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• A passion for engaging others in DEI efforts
• Meaningful social impact within the credit union industry and broader society

“This year’s Honorees’ influence spans continents and communities, including African American, African, women, LGBTQ+, Latino, and immigrant communities,” said AACUC President/CEO Renée Sattiewhite. “Their impact is exactly what the legacy of this award represents.”

Calderón, I-CUDE, has long championed inclusion and advocacy within the credit union movement. As CEO of OAS Federal Credit Union, he has contributed his leadership to numerous boards and organizations across the globe. He co-founded the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals and ACCESO to support underserved immigrant communities in Washington, DC. His accolades include the World Council of Credit Union’s Silver Award and NAFCU’s 2019 CEO of the Year. Calderón holds an executive master’s in leadership from Georgetown University and an MBA from Marymount University.