Elements Financial Federal Credit Union Appoints New CEO

Whitney Anderson-Harrell will become the president/CEO of Elements Financial Federal Credit Union on Feb. 24, the board of directors for Indiana’s fourth largest financial cooperative said Wednesday.

Current President/CEO Lisa Schlehuber, who led the Indianapolis-based Elements Financial since January 2005, plans to retire on April 15.

During Schlehuber’s tenure, Elements grew from $627 million in assets to $2 billion, while membership expanded from 32,536 to 120,595, according to the credit union’s Call Reports.

Schlehuber also diversified Element Financial’s select employer group strategy from the founding sponsor, Eli Lilly and Company, to include more than 150 partnerships. A brand refresh in 2015 from Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union to Elements Financial expanded on the strong alliance with Eli Lilly members that led to new opportunities, according to the credit union.

“Lisa has led Elements with inspirational leadership throughout her 17 years and has driven the organization to broaden perspectives and strengthen relationships with our members, employees and partners,” Elements Board Chair Mark Saltsgaver said. “We are immensely proud of her accomplishments, and we thank Lisa for her years of dedication to Elements.”

Anderson-Harrell most recently served as chief community development officer, a position she has held since 2017, at the $6.7 billion Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. She joined the East Lansing-based credit union in 2015 as a vice president, according to her LinkedIn page.

Before MSUFCU, she also served as president for the Desk Drawer Fund and for Ever Green 3C. For nearly 13 years, Anderson-Harrell worked at the Kraft-Heinz Company, where she held several leadership positions, her LinkedIn profile showed.

“Her years of leading a broad range of teams, projects and responsibilities provide a solid foundation from which to grow and lead Elements,” the credit union said in its prepared statement.

Anderson-Harrell serves on the boards of the African American Credit Union Coalition, the MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan and the United Way.

“Everyone at MSUFCU is thrilled for Whitney and this outstanding opportunity to continue her work in the credit union industry,” MSUFCU President/CEO April Clobes said in a prepared statement. “Whitney is a dynamic, innovative leader who is committed to her team, organizational results, the credit union industry, and our members and their communities.”