Whitney Thompson, a student in the M.B.A. with a Global Perspective program, has been selected to attend the Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference this month in Washington, D.C.

Thompson is a member service officer at American Heritage Federal Credit Union in Philadelphia and a member of Arcadia University’s 2010-11 Business Advisory Board. She is also the leader of a financial literacy program with inner city students and a mentor for foster children in her neighborhood.

Thompson is one of 16 young credit professionals invited to the conference to complete a service project aimed to improve their credit unions or the industry. She was chosen by the Crash Network, a grassroots organization composed of more than 100 young credit union professionals advancing within the industry through mentorships, online collaboration, meet-ups and development projects.

Opportunities to participate in events such as the conference typically are limited to top-level credit union staff. The Crash Network provides a way for professionals who are under 30 years old, such as Thompson, to become more involved in the industry.

“Attending this conference will be the ultimate opportunity to meet the largest decision makers in my industry,” Thompson says. “To be selected amongst hundreds of applicants is a true honor.”

The conference, Feb. 27 through March 3 at the Washington Convention Center, will address topics such as debit interchange, examining a challenging economic environment, implications for credit unions in the 2011 economic forecast, and changing fiduciary responsibilities for credit union directors. Keynote speakers will include former U.S. Airways pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, TIME Editor-at-Large Mark Halperin, New York Magazine political correspondent John Heilemann, The Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington, and CNN Republican strategist Mary Matalin.

“I hope to draw from the experience a deeper understanding of our purpose, function and capability as an alternative to traditional financial institutions,” Thompson says. “I also hope to further clarify how I can be an asset to the credit union industry with my M.B.A. from Arcadia.”