CUNA's Ryan Donovan to Lead Council of Federal Home Loan Banks
After more than 14 years, CUNA's chief advocacy officer will leave to begin his new job in September.
After serving as CUNA’s top lobbyist for more than 14 years, Ryan Donovan is moving on to become the new president/CEO of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks in September.
Donovan succeeds John von Seggern, who retired in June, the Council said on Monday.
“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Ryan, and his commitment to America’s credit unions has been unwavering,” CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. “It is hard to lose such a staunch and tireless advocate, but I am so very proud of what Ryan has accomplished during his time at CUNA. I’m not going to lie – Ryan’s leaving behind some pretty big shoes to fill.”
Nussle added that CUNA is using a national search firm to recruit and vet candidates for this position.
“With CUNA’s premier advocacy reputation, we intend to fill this role with the best talent available,” he said.
As CUNA’s chief advocacy officer leading a team of more than 100 advocates at the Washington, D.C.-based organization and at state credit union leagues and associations, Donovan was instrumental in securing high-profile legislative wins for the credit union movement including protecting the credit union tax status through four major tax battles; overseeing significant expansion of credit unions’ member business lending authority and modernizing credit union governance.
“I am immensely proud of the work we’ve done together – CUNA, leagues and credit unions – to ensure credit unions remain in a position to improve their members’ financial well-being and advance the communities they serve,” Donovan said. “And I leave confident that momentum we have achieved will be sustained long into the future.”
Donovan began his career working for former House Democratic Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) as an executive assistant and later joined Rep. Brad Sherman’s (D-Calif.) office as a legislative assistant where he was promoted to legislative director and acting chief of staff.
Before joining CUNA in 2007, he served as director of federal government affairs for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.
“We are excited to have Ryan lead the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks,” Dan Moore, who chairs the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks based in Washington, D.C., said. “Ryan brings almost two decades of advocacy and association experience that will help the Council and its banks effectively deliver a unified advocacy message to policymakers in Washington.”