Diana Dykstra to Retire Following Four-Decade CU Industry Career

After building a career as a leader in the credit union industry for more than four decades, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues CEO Diana Dykstra will retire on July 1, according to an announcement from the Leagues Monday.

Dykstra has been at the helm of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues for the past 14 years. Before joining the Leagues, she served in CEO and executive-level roles at several California-based credit unions, including as president/CEO of San Francisco Fire Credit Union ($1.7 billion in assets), president/CEO of CoastHills Federal Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Santa Maria), SVP at Patelco Credit Union ($9.7 billion, Dublin) and SVP at Golden 1 Credit Union ($21.1 billion, Sacramento).

The Leagues noted that during Dykstra’s time at Golden 1, she led the team that developed the prototype of the Credit Union Direct Lending (CUDL) network, which is now operated by the Irvine, Calif.-based Origence (formerly CU Direct) and has positioned credit unions as the nation’s largest auto lender as an aggregate.

“The past 40-plus years have been an incredible journey,” Dykstra stated. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to guide and collaborate with remarkable individuals, united by what I consider to be one of the most meaningful motivations. This industry changes lives, and while I will soon mark the end of my tenure as CEO, it is only the beginning of a new journey filled with gratitude, pride and the excitement for what lies ahead for me personally and for credit unions.”

Jennifer Denoo, president/CEO of Great Basin Federal Credit Union ($275 million, Reno, Nev.) and Nevada Credit Union League board chair, commented, “Diana’s leadership has been an inspiration to so many in the credit union industry. Her legacy embodies the values, principles and accomplishments that will continue to guide us for years to come.”

Dykstra has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the National Credit Union Foundation’s Herb Wegner Memorial Award in 2019 and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues’ (AACUL) Eagle Award in 2014. She was also one of the first inductees into the Credit Union Museum’s “Credit Union Women Making History: Herstory” exhibit in 2022.

In addition, she is the current board chair of the World Council of Credit Unions, president of Western CUNA Management School and executive managing partner of Humanidei (an LLC of O’Rourke & Associates), and serves on the boards of CUNA Strategic Services, Global Women’s Leadership Network, ViClarity and Plexcity. She is also past chair of the AACUL.

“No one can deny the indelible mark Diana has had on credit unions in California, and that impact has carried forward to many areas of the credit union industry across the country,” Geri LaChance, president/CEO of SESLOC Federal Credit Union ($1.1 billion, San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and California Credit Union League board chair, stated. “She has been a true visionary, willing to make innovative moves to enhance revenue and efficiency. These innovations have been consistently evidenced from her early days at Golden 1 forming the nucleus of what would become a major national auto lender in CUDL.”

Bill Cheney, former president/CEO for CUNA (now America’s Credit Unions) and the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, and current CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union ($29.2 billion, Tustin, Calif.), also expressed appreciation for Dykstra.

“Diana has been a tireless champion of credit unions, advocating to promote growth, sustainability and relevance for the industry,” Cheney said. “Diana’s commitment is not merely professional; it’s deeply personal. We are continuously grateful for the enduring mark she has imprinted on this industry.”