Celebrating 5 Years of a Late-Night Idea

In May 2020, during one of the most uncertain times in recent history, I found myself—like many other leaders—balancing the uncertainty of the pandemic with providing hope and steady leadership. I had launched a “Leading Through COVID” webinar series in April, which quickly drew hundreds of enrollments, indicating that leaders of all levels needed support more than ever. A few days after that series wrapped up, I woke up in the middle of the night with a pressing question on my mind: What kind of leadership training do credit union leaders really need right now?

They didn’t need more noise. They needed something meaningful. Something that could offer inspiration, confidence, and a sense of connectedness, without adding to the overwhelm. Something flexible and sustainable that could support them in navigating the crisis at hand and also whatever came next.

I grabbed my phone and started typing. The idea that took shape in those early-morning notes became eLeaderHUB: a 12-month online leadership development program designed to space learning over time, making it micro, digestible, and applicable for busy credit union leaders, while creating a sense of community through webinars and discussions.

Just two months later, in July 2020, eLeaderHUB launched its first module on Focus. From there, the program grew—one module at a time—into a comprehensive leadership journey covering the essentials of leading self, leading teams, and leading others. The commitment that the team put into building the program over the course of that year was both tremendous and deeply rewarding, and I’m very grateful for their dedication and belief in what we were creating.

At its core, eLeadership Academy is driven by a bold mission: to build leaders people love to follow. Our unofficial mantra is “No More Bad Bosses” because bad leadership is bad for everyone. In the past five years, eLeaderHUB has helped bring our mission to life by offering consistent opportunities for leaders to connect, reflect, and grow.

Since its launch, eLeaderHUB has grown into a movement with real momentum:

•  Over 1,500 participants have completed the program
•  75+ live events have brought together more than 25,000 attendees
•  Leaders have joined from 90+ credit unions across North America and beyond
•  We’ve welcomed 80+ guest speakers, including senior leaders, experts, and coaches
•  2,000+ people participated in the annual Virtual Summits over the past five years

Today, eLeaderHUB serves as the starting point for our Certificate in Applied Leadership pathway, helping leaders build a strong foundation for deeper growth and impact. Although we’re no longer facing the challenges of the pandemic, the ability to bring people together is just as relevant as ever. In a time of rapid consolidation, constant change, and virtual dispersion, eLeaderHUB continues to provide space for credit union leaders to connect through shared values, purpose, and work. It’s become a lifeline—where leaders can reconnect with what matters, be inspired by peers from across the system, and remember they’re not alone.

What has made eLeaderHUB truly special is the people. I’m grateful for the leaders who commit to their growth by showing up month after month, and the fantastic spotlight guests who share their stories and insights. Together, they’ve shaped something far beyond what I first imagined—a community grounded in learning, connection, and shared purpose. The opportunity to grow alongside such inspiring leaders remains one of the most rewarding parts of my personal leadership journey. 

When credit union leaders grow, they strengthen teams, culture, and ultimately, the entire system. Thank you to the engaged leaders who continue to show up, the credit unions that invest in their people, and the system partners who support this work.

Looking back, it is remarkable to me that something so meaningful and lasting could be borne from chaos and change. But when crisis hits, we are often inspired to reach for solutions that might have seemed out of reach in quieter times.

It's hard to believe that it's been half a decade already. I am really proud of the community we've built, and I'm genuinely excited about the journey ahead.

Let's go! 

About the Author

Sandra McDowell, CEO, MA, PCC, CPHR, CULC

About eLeadership Academy^®

Exclusive to credit unions, eLeadership Academy is the only online training solution that provides accessible, actionable training to develop high-performance leaders that people love to follow. We are on a mission to help build leadership and coaching bench strength within the system because we know credit unions are a force for good, and their leaders are the catalyst for member and employee experience. For more information, visit www.eleadershipacademy.com or contact [email protected].