How the 2026 CU Ambassador Makes a Difference
By Inanna Carter, Communications & Media Specialist, CrossState Credit Union Association
Creativity and innovation are a significant part of pushing the credit union movement forward, with ideas coming from all levels—not simply those with the most experience. CrossState Credit Union Association’s annual CU Ambassador Contest provides an opportunity for young professionals to make their mark, encouraging them to develop a project that benefits their credit union and put it into action.
Hannah Simerson is no stranger to the contest. A Community Development Leader at CityMark Federal Credit Union, she first submitted in 2025, landing in the top three. And earlier this year, she entered a new project and won first place to become our 2026 CU Ambassador. She talks about both submissions, their outcomes, and how she learned to push past self-doubt.
What led you to CityMark?
I went to school for communications studies and English and thought my future would revolve around storytelling and the creative. After finishing school, I immediately began working at a local newspaper. One day, I was assigned to cover a story on CityMark and showed up to find a bright blue building with a huge bee on the front. It was not what I expected for a financial institution. Instead of being serious and stuffy, the interview with the CEO was fun, and we got along well. I jokingly asked if they were hiring, which they were for a communications role. The rest is history.
Tell us about your CU Ambassador projects:
I had no idea what a credit union was until I started working at one. I was training as a teller who couldn’t describe our products or services to our members—my coworkers had to meet me at the most basic level. The experience made me wonder, If I had never been taught these things, then what about our members, who might not have had the opportunity to learn either? That led to start my first project, a blog and video series titled Hannah’s Helpful Hints, to peel back the layers and talk to them human-to-human and friend-to-a-friend.
My second project, “Bee the Change,” started when I noticed how much paper we were printing. I would see our loan officers with stacks of papers they’d sign for ten minutes, and our tellers spent so much time putting statements into envelopes. I thought we really needed to figure out if we could cut back on that. The idea originally started as a promotion for eco-friendly cars and transformed many times, but I’m happy with where we landed.
How did you decide on submitting your projects?
The way I approached each project was so different. I had already started Hannah’s Helpful Hints when my bosses encouraged me to apply to the CU Ambassador Contest. I was hesitant, but since we were already in talks about the project before I submitted, I decided to go for it.
The second time was my idea. It was scary because I thought, “What if they think it’s stupid? What if they shut it down completely?” The first thing I did was go to my boss and tell her I wanted to do the contest again. I brought her my idea, and it became a bit of a collaborative thing. Then I had to attend a meeting with her and my CEO. I was shaking and scared, but he responded very well, so I’m glad I brought it up.
What were your biggest objectives, and would you say you completed them?
Hannah’s Helpful Hints focused on how our members responded. I spoke about numbers in my presentation, but that was secondary to the feedback. Our members said these tips were helpful and they felt like there was someone to meet them where they were at. That’s what I set out to achieve.
“Bee the Change” was about saving paper and the community building around that. Making this something bigger than CityMark was important to me, so bringing in local businesses like The Beekeeper’s Daughter and seeing our community come together during Bee the Change Week was special.
What’s your biggest takeaway from starting and leading these projects?
It’s truly this newfound assurance that I have. In 2025, I felt like an imposter in the CU Ambassador Contest. But I had a transformation this year where I felt that I not only belonged in the room but could also make a difference in it. That is something invaluable that I will carry for the rest of my life.
Do you have any advice for someone who has an idea but isn’t sure it’s good enough?
It’s human nature for self-doubt to be the loudest voice in your head. I keep coming back to this idea of being scared and doing it anyway. When the self-doubt is loud, your resilience has to be louder. You have to feel that fear, discomfort, and doubt and take the opportunity to do it anyway.
Originally published in the 2026 special edition of CU Edge
Enter the CU Ambassador Contest
Submissions are open for the 2026–2027 contest! Whether you use an existing project or start one from scratch, we want to hear your innovative ideas that make an impact. Learn more about what your one-page proposal should include and submit yours by November 20!