Montana’s Credit Unions President/CEO Tracie Kenyon Set to Retire in 2023

Montana’s Credit Unions President/CEO Tracie Kenyon plans to retire in May 2023 after nearly 22 years of service, according to a prepared statement by the state trade group.

“I have loved serving Montana credit unions as the president and CEO of their trade association. Together we have done amazing work to enhance the credit union movement,” Kenyon said in the statement released on Friday. “I expect MCU to continue to thrive after I retire, and I am dedicated to helping with the transition.”

Before joining MCU in 2001, Kenyon was an SVP for the Utah League of Credit Unions.

During her tenure, MCU launched Montana Credit Unions for Community Development, a charitable organization that combines advocacy efforts with outreach and development; and Montana Credit Union League Group Benefit Trust, a self-funded benefit plan for employees of Montana’s credit unions that incorporates wholistic approaches to wellness including financial well-being.

Kenyon was honored with the Farley Leadership Award in 2017, and her Credit Union Development Education project, MCUCD, received the Herb Wegner Memorial Award from the National Credit Union Foundation in 2009.

In addition to her work at the trade association, Kenyon has served as board chair for the American Association of Credit Union Leagues and the Filene Research Institute. She also served on the board of the National Credit Union Foundation and on the CUNA Executive Committee. She currently serves on the Western CUNA Management board as its treasurer.

“We thank Tracie for her outstanding dedication to and passion for the credit union movement, and we wish her continued success in her retirement,” Jeremy Presta, MCU board chair and president/CEO of the $405 million Park Side Credit Union in Whitefish, said.

Presta also reiterated that the trade group will remain independent, which the MCU board announced during its annual membership meeting in May.

“We have strong financials, robust advocacy and service delivery, and strong membership involvement,” he said in a prepared statement.

The MCU board hired Humanidei + O’Rourke to conduct a national search for Kenyon’s successor. Jill Nowacki, who launched her career with Montana’s Credit Unions 21 years ago, will serve as the lead recruiter for the search.

Currently in Montana, there are 45 credit unions insured by the NCUA and one credit union that is insured by American Share Insurance.

Collectively, the state’s credit unions manage in excess of $8 billion in assets, serve more than 430,000 members and operate 131 branches, according MCU.