Outstanding Chief Executive Award Winners

Joe Hearn, CCE

2026 Award Winner

Chris Harlan

President/CEO
University of Illinois Community Credit Union

Champaign, IL

Chris Harlan is the President and CEO of the University of Illinois Community Credit Union (UICCU), a role he has held for seven years. Under his leadership, the credit union has more than doubled its assets to $765 million and grown its membership by over 35%, now serving 65,320 members. Harlan has strategically evolved UICCU to remove barriers and expand access to financial well-being, resolving foundational operational challenges early in his tenure to position the organization for scalable, healthy growth.

Recognizing his community's evolving needs, Harlan launched a commercial banking program to provide an alternative for underserved local businesses. He has prioritized a technology-enabled service model that includes Interactive Teller Machines and a robust digital banking platform, achieving a 75% enrollment rate and ensuring convenient access without sacrificing human connection. His hands-on leadership style is reflected in a direct problem-resolution approach he established, in which he personally joined calls on escalated member concerns to secure thoughtful resolutions while empowering and coaching his staff.

A champion of employee well-being and professional development, Harlan has cultivated an organizational culture centered on the philosophy of "Do More Good." His commitment to advancing internal talent has created clear career pathways and extensive leadership training opportunities, resulting in fourteen internal staff promotions so far this year. As a result of these intentional efforts, UICCU has earned the "Best Place to Work" designation for nine consecutive years and ranked #7 nationally among the Top Credit Unions to Work for in America in 2024.

Harlan's impact extends far beyond his institution through his deep engagement in legislative advocacy and community service. He was recently appointed to the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) Board of Directors and played a critical leadership role in the industry-wide effort to repeal the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA). Locally, his direct involvement in initiatives addressing food insecurity and youth development has earned UICCU the Mission Impact Award and the Best in Class Diamond Award from America's Credit Unions for member-focused financial wellness. A dedicated CUES member since 2010, Harlan's integrity, strategic acumen, and servant leadership continue to strengthen his credit union and the broader cooperative movement.