Champion Spotlight: Diana Dykstra
The California and Nevada Credit Union League is the largest state trade association for credit unions in the United States, serving more than 13.8 million members. For 90 years, the California Credit Union League (CCUL) has focused on the financial health and well-being of its member credit unions. At the core of their mission is putting members first, advocating for credit unions, a commitment to excellence and providing a solid team effort to help them meet members’ financial service needs. As an integral piece to the credit union movement in both states, CCUL finds it important to be involved in likeminded organizations – one of those organizations being Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids). Much to the tune of financial health and well-being of the members of the league, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) and CU4Kids support the health, financial and emotional well-being of patients and families at local hospitals.
According to Diana Dykstra, President and CEO at CA/NV Credit Union League, and Advisory Board member on CU4Kids, credit union’s change people’s lives and so do our CMN Hospitals. “Both organizations have the same mission and goal – so working together benefits everyone”, stated Dykstra. Throughout her 41-year credit union career, Dykstra has heard the message over and over again about the importance of advocating for credit unions. As a past board chair for the California and Nevada league, Dykstra knew she was meant for a role that could make a bigger impact on the credit union industry – something that would assist with regulatory hurdles and assist in creating a more robust and positive operating environments for credit unions.
As the credit union industry’s charity of choice, CU4Kids is proud to work alongside credit unions and leagues like CA/NV Credit Union League. CU4Kids fundraisers range from golf events, chain or hearts campaigns, ATM fee donations, participation on committees and other events. Although Dykstra has been with CCUL for the last 12 years, the league has had the privilege of hosting a marquee CU4Kids event for the past 25 years. The CU4Kids Wine Auction, which started in 2006, brought in over 1.7 million dollars in 2023, hosting close to 500 people. The black-tie affair, held at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Resort in Dana Point, CA, is a classy, fun-filled night that brings a miracle family from a local CMN Hospitals out to meet credit union and CU4Kids supporters. Diana was one of the founders of this event and continues to be one of it’s greatest champions.
Between the states of California and Nevada, there are 11 CMN Hospitals. Thanks to the generosity and unmatched support from the credit union industry, events like the Wine Auction are able to donate 100% of funds to their local hospitals. It’s the mission of CMN Hospitals and CU4Kids to ensure every child has a healthier future by providing holistic, best in class care – much to the tune of credit union’s providing best in class financial services to their communities and members. According to Dykstra, the event is a night of positive encouragement that showcases the amazing work that both credit unions and CMN Hospitals do for the children and their families.
“Credit Unions for Kids would not be where it is today without Diana. Besides the fundraising she supports and leads in California and Nevada, she is outstanding at providing new ideas on how CU4Kids can be a better resource to credit unions philanthropic efforts. I always appreciate how she shows up. She is the first to respond to an email and she regularly goes out of her way to attend Children’s Hospitals Week, across the country from her in Orlando. CU4Kids is grateful and fortunate for Diana,” says Nick Coleman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at CMN Hospitals.
Being involved on the CU4Kids Advisory board lets Dykstra stretch her impact and assist with her goal of creating and maintaining a positive operating environment for credit unions. Collaborating through both the league and CU4Kids allows credit unions to work together in a fun and meaningful way that transforms the industry and impacts the lives of member hospital children and their families.