On a federal holiday when most financial institutions were closed, nearly 250 Gulf Winds Credit Union employees filled the University of West Florida’s Conference Center on Columbus Day with energy, laughter, and purpose.
They weren’t there to talk balance sheets or budgets.
They were there to unite — to remind themselves why they do what they do.
This was Unite! 2025, Gulf Winds’ annual all-team conference centered on community, teamwork, and impact. The theme? One Team, One Mission.
But the message stretched beyond the walls of the conference room — it was written into every story, every meal donated, and every handshake that day.
Growing for Good
When I sat down with Daniel Souers, President and CEO of Gulf Winds Credit Union, I asked him to describe his first three years leading the organization. He paused for a moment before answering, with a thoughtful grin:
“Positive change,” he said. “Growth and getting prepared for growth. Connecting what we do every day to the outside impact we make. We’re growing for good — not just growing
Daniel Souers, opening Gulf Winds Unite! at the UWF Conference Center with 250 employees in attendance.to grow. The more we grow, the more we’re able to help our members, our partners, and our community.”
Souers’ path to finance wasn’t typical. He started in marketing, where his fascination with growth led him to a deeper purpose.
“I started out wanting to grow things,” he said. “When I began working with a credit union, I realized marketing could go beyond promotion — it could influence the entire experience. We could help people, not just sell to them. That changed everything for me.”
That people-first perspective has shaped Gulf Winds’ mission to unlock financial greatness — helping members find stability, opportunity, and peace of mind.
Unlocking Potential, One Member at a Time
When asked for a story that made him feel most excited about the future of Gulf Winds, Souers didn’t hesitate.
“We had a member come in who wanted to buy a home but didn’t have any credit,” he shared. “Our team helped them build credit, pay off debt, and, within a year, they were able to buy their first home.”
He leaned forward as he told it — a story he’s probably told many times before, but still clearly loves.
“That’s what we want more of,” he said. “Helping people unlock their financial greatness — that’s what makes this work matter.”
Souers’ passion extends beyond financial wellness. It’s rooted in compassion — and in the understanding that financial stability often begins with basic needs.
MannaCan with Gulf Winds Credit Union, Oct 2025Serving with Heart
This year’s Unite! event featured powerful keynote speakers — motivational speaker Kevin
Brown, author of Unleashing Your Hero, and financial leadership coach Cynthia Campbell — who both challenged employees to believe in their own ability to create change.
But it was the hands-on MannaCan activity that brought the day’s mission to life.
In partnership with Manna Food Pantry, Gulf Winds team members, University of West Florida’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and Manna staff moved and stacked 7,005 pounds of food. Teams then used the cans to build creative structures — judged on teamwork, creativity, and mission alignment.
When the challenge was done, all 7,005 pounds of food were donated back to Manna — providing 12,664 nutritious meals for 4,221 people in need across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Souers’ voice softened when we talked about that part.
“When I put my kids to bed at night, they have a full belly,” he said quietly. “I want that for every child, every neighbor, and every member of Gulf Winds.”
Community as a Core Value
Gulf Winds’ commitment to service doesn’t stop with one event. Through its Community Impact Hours program, employees can volunteer up to 16 paid hours each year — sometimes more — to serve local nonprofits.
“We give with our time and our money,” Souers explained. “Those are the two most important ways we can make a difference.”
Pam Hatt, Chief Marketing Officer at Gulf Winds, summed it up beautifully:
“You’ll never go wrong pouring into your people,” she said. “There’s a positive synergy that happens when you take community impact and pair it with purpose and people. We all connected for impact while uniting for purpose — and left energized, wanting more.”
A Shared Mission
DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna, shared that Gulf Winds has been a valued partner for over a decade.
“This donation enables Manna to provide more than 12,000 nutritious meals,” she said. “We’re so grateful for this partnership that impacts thousands of people each year.”
As she watched the event unfold, Manna’s Associate Executive Director Kerri Smayda reflected on the moment:
“I looked at the Gulf Winds banner that said One Team, One Mission, and I thought, actually, we both have the same mission — to strengthen our community and lift people up.”
Souers agreed. “Without our members, we have nothing,” he said. “This isn’t our money we’re returning to the community — it’s theirs. They trust us to use it to make life better for others. That’s a responsibility we take to heart.”
One Team, One Mission
By the end of the day, nearly 250 Gulf Winds employees had not only given their time but also found new meaning in their work.
“Today helps answer that question so many people ask — ‘How am I making a difference?’” Souers said. “They’ll walk into the building on Tuesday with a little more purpose, a little more connection, and a renewed sense of why their work matters.”
