Pictured from left are Jason M. Osterhage, president and chief executive officer, Everwise; Dr. Vincent Henderson, Everwise board chair; Cassie Peyton, holding the David R. Sage Award; David R. Sage; and Jay Gendics, chief banking officer, Everwise. Photo provided by Everwise Credit Union.

News Release

SOUTH BEND – Everwise Credit Union has announced that Cassie Peyton, branch manager of its Warsaw north and south branches, has been selected as the winner of the 2025 David R. Sage Exemplary Leadership and Service Award.

Presented annually, the award recognizes Everwise employees who demonstrate the leadership and values of former board chairman David R. Sage, who served in Everwise leadership for nearly four decades. Award winners are nominated by fellow employees and selected by the executive management team.

Peyton’s tenure with Everwise began in 1999, when she joined as a teller. In the 26 years since, she has grown through several roles including a member service representative, assistant manager and branch manager, ultimately leading both Warsaw branches with “steadiness, experience and heart,” Everwise said. Her career reflects continuous growth, deep institutional knowledge and a clear commitment to helping people build financial confidence.

She received this year’s award for her leadership, dedication to developing others and impact on both Everwise and the communities she serves. Her colleagues describe her as an empowering leader who puts people first. She is known for investing time in coaching her team to help employees identify their goals and build the skills they need to advance. Under her guidance, many staff members have grown into leadership and front-line roles across the organization.

“I’m truly humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Peyton. “Helping others has always been my passion, and my career at the credit union has allowed me to live that passion every day. The credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People’ is at the heart of everything we do, from supporting our members, to mentoring our teams and lifting up our communities. I’m grateful to be part of an organization that makes such a real and lasting difference.”

Peyton’s impact reaches beyond Everwise. She is involved in her community, having served with the Rochester Kiwanis, Warsaw Rotary Club, Fulton County Chamber of Commerce (including four years as a Chamber ambassador), the Kosciusko Leadership Academy and the Kosciusko County Literacy Foundation. “Whether she’s volunteering at local events, supporting youth programs, or representing Everwise at community initiatives, she consistently shows up with enthusiasm and service-minded leadership,” Everwise said in its news release.