Lisa McEachern of Murray Lake has been honoured with a Co-operative Young Leaders Award for her work with the Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program and credit unions in the province.

The awards were presented Oct. 17 at a banquet in Regina as part of the Saskatchewan Co-operatives Week. Also receiving awards were Patrick Lapointe and Roger Herman, both of Saskatoon, who received the Co-operative Contribution Awards and Bob Kirkland of Star City, who received the Lifetime Co-operative Achievement Award.

McEachern began her co-operative career in 1998, working a variety of positions at BCU Financial, now Innovation Credit Union. In her eight years there, she was a member services representative and financial services representative.

In 1999, McEachern staffed her first Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Seminar as a sector staff member and returned several times to assist in different capacities, acting as a co-ordinator, delivering school presentations to inform youth about the seminar and assisting with staff training.

Though she left her position in 2006 to run her own fitness facility, McEachern has remained active in the credit union.

As an entrepreneur, McEachern has worked with individuals and groups promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles through operation of Northern Athletic Club and programs related to the club. She is also a regular contributor to the Regional Optimist through her popular weekly Fitness Matters column.

Nominees for the award are submitted annually by co-operatives and credit unions throughout Saskatchewan and the award recipients are chosen by representatives of the co-operative sector in Saskatchewan and the provincial government.