Additionally, she constructed idea-sharing platforms such as The Exchange — a dialogue for state regulators and $10 billion-plus asset-based state and federal credit unions to anticipate future challenges facing the credit union system. Ito also worked with the NCUA, re-committing to the Document of Cooperation between NASCUS on behalf of state regulators and NCUA in 2019 for the first time in more than a decade.

Before joining NASCUS, Ito served as EVP and COO at the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and as a vice president for the World Council of Credit Unions.

"The organization would not be where it is today without Lucy's thoughtful leadership, knowledge and commitment," Rose Conner, NASCUS board chair, said, who is the regulatory administrator for the North Carolina Credit Union Division in Raleigh. "During her time at NASCUS, Lucy has been committed to providing outstanding service to our membership, and for that, we are sincerely grateful."

Ito currently serves on the International Credit Union Regulators' Network board of directors and steering committee, the state issues committee of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues and the NCUA-SSA Joint Supervisory Working Group.

She is also participating in the African American Credit Union Coalition's Cross Cultural Exchange Program, a newly-launched national pilot initiative.

"Working with both regulators and credit unions over my entire career has been tremendously fulfilling," Ito said. "It has been a true privilege to work alongside the very best in the industry and to lead NASCUS over these past seven years."

The NASCUS board and the Credit Union Advisory Council have named a search committee and have retained D. Hilton Associates to conduct a nationwide search to find Ito's successor.