growth worth celebrating
Canopy Credit Union is excited to announce Link to Leadership’s graduating class of 2026. This graduation celebrates the completion of the “fifth season” of Canopy’s in-house Leadership program, designed and led by HR & Culture Director Spencer Shanholtzer.
This cohort’s graduation coincides with public recognition of the program’s quality, as Canopy Credit Union received the 2025 Inspiring Workplace Award from the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Our team earned this award for several reasons, one of the most significant being the notable positive impact Link to Leadership has on Canopy’s staff.
The Inspiring Workplace Award celebrates organizations committed to creating meaningful workplace cultures where people can thrive. We are honored to receive this acknowledgement, but what matters most to us is what the Inspiring Workplace Award represents:
- A workplace culture built on valuing what makes every person unique.
- Investment in our staff’s personal and professional development.
- Commitment to providing the tools and guidance that ensure growth and help our community flourish.
Our mission of growing happier, healthier communities defines every choice we make, including how we support and develop our employees. We know that when we invest in our people, they are empowered to create lasting positive impact for our members, neighbors, and community.
nurturing strong roots
The Link to Leadership program was designed to help employees grow as people, not just professionals. Rather than focusing solely on management skills, Link to Leadership guides participants on their journey toward developing their own unique approach to servant leadership.
Over 9 months, participants dive into a curriculum exploring leadership studies, including readings, podcasts, and in-class exercises. Throughout the program, participants explore topics including:
- Leadership of self.
- Leadership of people.
- Leadership of organizations.
Culminating in: A final project, presented to the leadership team.
- By identifying strengths and growth opportunities, practicing crucial conversations, and learning to lead through change, Link to Leadership cultivates leaders who understand what makes people unique. Students then take what they learn and put it into practice. The result is enhanced teamwork, stronger relationships, and increased confidence.
Since its launch, graduates of the program have stepped into leadership roles both within Canopy and throughout the broader community.
Graduates serve members through our Teller Connect platform, support organizational success on our finance team, and help make financial education accessible by leading educational workshops. Others have carried the lessons they learned here into new organizations and industries, extending that impact even further.
And that’s exactly what we hoped for.
Our vision was never limited to strengthening Canopy—though the growth in our staff members has certainly made us better. We set out to cultivate leaders who would create positive change wherever their journey takes them, because that’s how stronger, more compassionate communities take root.
a culture grounded in community
Just as we invest in our employees’ growth and well-being, we invest in the financial well-being of our members and community.
At Canopy Credit Union, we believe everyone deserves access to the tools, guidance, and opportunities that help them thrive. We take pride in creating opportunities that aid meaningful growth for members and walking alongside them on their journey.
We put that belief into action by:
- Offering free financial coaching and educational workshops for everyone—not just members.
- Providing flexible lending options and accessible financial products.
- Serving people with empathy and integrity.
- Volunteering alongside local organizations throughout our region.
At Canopy Credit Union, we know small steps can lead to monumental change.
When people feel confident in their finances, they’re better positioned to support their families, pursue their goals, and contribute to the communities they call home. The result is a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.
- At Canopy Credit Union, we know small steps can lead to monumental change.
When people feel confident in their finances, they’re better positioned to support their families, pursue their goals, and contribute to the communities they call home. The result is a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.
one mission, growing together
Whether we’re welcoming a new Link to Leadership cohort or helping a member take the next step in their financial journey, the intention remains the same:
To grow happier, healthier communities through financial inclusion.
That shared commitment is what made receiving the Inspiring Workplace Award so meaningful. It’s not simply recognition of a program or an initiative—it’s recognition of a culture built on investing in people and helping them reach their full potential.
from 1956 to 2026
Since 1956, Canopy has been a place where everyone is welcome. We see the potential in every individual and strive to create practical solutions that empower growth.
Today, we celebrate the graduates of Link to Leadership Season Five and the impact they will continue to make within Canopy and throughout our community. The positive change they create reaches further than anyone can imagine, and we are so proud of their hard work.
