Steve Bugg serves as President and CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, a $1.6 billion Illinois State Chartered Credit Union, Federally Insured by the NCUA and headquartered in Northern Illinois (Lake County). GLCU is a low-income designated credit union (LICU), a community development credit union (CDCU) and holds the Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) designation for credit unions committed to serving and empowering Hispanic consumers. The credit union has a strategic focus on serving underserved markets. The credit union serves over 100,000 members nationally through community financial wellness centers and a robust digital channel. Mr. Bugg began his career in banking and then transitioned into the telecommunications industry where he spent over twenty years prior to leveraging that corporate experience with his shift into the credit union industry where he has held multiple leadership roles. Steve has been, and continues to be, actively involved in serving as a volunteer for non-profit boards in leadership capacities, including currently serving on the Lake County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors and serving on the Waukegan Public Library Board as a Trustee. He also supports credit union advocacy efforts by serving on the Illinois Credit Union League Legislative Committee and the Illinois BankOn Committee. Mr. Bugg graduated from the University of Evansville with a BA in Business Administration / Marketing. He is also a graduate of The ProCon Leadership Institute for Cooperatives focusing on the development of CEOs and holds a real estate license in the State of Indiana. He is a strong advocate and supporter of providing low-and-moderate income households with the ability to improve their financial well-being through financial literacy initiatives, including housing counseling, and partnerships with non-profits and government agencies through the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. GLCU and Mr. Bugg have been recognized as leaders in the credit union industry through various awards and special recognition and were the first-ever DEI: Catalyst for Change Award winner presented by CUES. In 2023, the credit union launched a strategic partnership with the Leader’s Network in the underserved areas of the South / Southwest side of the City of Chicago with a primary focus on the Austin neighborhood with bringing a financial wellness center to this financial desert.