5 Royal Credit Union Employees Make Career Moves

MIDWEST

Royal Credit Union announced two new hires, one promotion and two new appointees to the credit union’s Young Professional Credit Union Activist program.

Laura Campbell was hired as EVP-chief people officer, effective Aug. 14. In her new role, Campbell is responsible for the oversight of programs and services delivered through the organizational talent services; learning and development; diversity, equity and inclusion; and internal communication teams. Campbell, who is based in Royal’s White Bear Lake office in Minnesota, will also collaborate in strategic planning and organizational decision making as a member of the executive team. She brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources, training and development, having previously served at Benedictine Health System in Minneapolis for seven years, most recently as SVP of people development. Campbell also held a variety of leadership roles at Allina Health. She holds a master of science degree in training and development from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Meghan Cernohous was hired as branch manager II at the credit union’s Stillwater, Minn., branch. In her new role, Cernohous is responsible for meeting with members to help them reach financial goals, hiring and training high impact talent that represent Royal’s core values, and managing branch operations. She brings 18 years of financial industry experience, 10 of which were in leadership positions. Cernohous most recently served as branch manager for U.S. Bank and was honored with the 2021 Legends of Possible Award, the company’s highest employee recognition. She has also served as a member of Project Thrive, a grassroots initiative that works toward equity in the workplace and supports team members going through difficult times by improving policies to encourage better balance of life and work, and as a board member of Women of Community & Business Banking Resource Group.

Caitlin Drier was promoted to manager of consumer loan underwriting. In her new role, Drier is responsible for the management and oversight of the consumer loan underwriting department and portfolio, which includes all consumer lending products and channels. Drier will also represent the financial interests of members and the credit union, and play a strategic role in the organization in regard to credit decisions, goal setting, and delivery and organization success. Drier joined Royal in 2012 as a teller, and has since held the roles of consumer loan underwriter, consumer loan underwriting team lead and consumer loan supervisor. She is a CUNA Certified Financial Counselor and Credit Union Manager, and previously served on the board of directors for Girls on the Run.

Jack Livingston, a Royal business banking officer, and Morgan Lecheler, a Royal business process analyst, were named the new Royal Credit Union Young Professional Credit Union Activists (YP CU Activists.) Royal launched the YP CU Activist program in 2019 as a way to strengthen the credit union movement and amplify the voice of young professionals. The new YP CU Activists will serve from August 2023 through July 2024, working to share the credit union difference with policymakers at key advocacy events. Livingston will represent Royal at Minnesota advocacy events and Lecheler will participate in Wisconsin advocacy efforts. Livingston and Lecheler will spend approximately two hours a month expanding their credit union advocacy knowledge and preparing to attend the events. They will also participate in lawmaker visits to Royal and attend key political events in the community.

Matt Schroeder, business relationship manager for the $1.3 billion, Flint, Mich.-based Financial Plus Credit Union, was named the 2022 Credit Union Lender of the Year by the Michigan Certified Development Corporation (MCDC) for his dedication, expertise and outstanding contributions to the financial services industry. The award honors professionals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to supporting local business growth and prosperity.

SOUTH

Valarie Ivester, assistant vice president of indirect strategy and development for Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union ($965 million, Austin, Texas), was selected as a distinguished graduate of the Southwest CUNA Management School’s 50th commencement class. Besides being an honor graduate, Ivester received the highest honors in the class – the Award of Excellence, which is equivalent to the class Valedictorian. She was one of 48 individuals to earn the distinguished Certified Credit Union Executive designation and one of seven to graduate with honors. To be selected as an honor graduate, she had to complete three comprehensive core assignments with a focus on strategic outcomes for her credit union, illustrate the potential impact of those strategic decisions across operations and display proficiency in financial management. Ivester also served as class treasurer and was the fundraising chair.

Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.