Gigi Hyland
The National Credit Union Foundation, the charitable arm of the credit union movement, announced Thursday that Executive Director Gigi Hyland will retire on Dec. 31, 2024.
Hyland joined the Foundation in 2013, and under her leadership, the organization substantially expanded its signature fundraising event, the Foundation Dinner presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards, which is held annually at the America's Credit Unions Government Affairs Conference (formerly the CUNA Government Affairs Conference), the Foundation said. The Foundation also doubled in asset size during her tenure, to approximately $12.6 million, according to the organization's financial statement as of Dec. 31, 2022. She also co-founded the CU DEI Collective with a number of credit union system partners.
"I've loved serving the credit union movement as executive director of the Foundation. It's been an amazing journey of collaboration and cooperation to focus on placing the financial well-being of all our members and employees at the heart of credit unions," Hyland said. "Nothing of consequence in life is done alone. I am so grateful to the Foundation Board, our donors and supporters, and to the talented and dedicated Foundation team for their hard work. I know the Foundation will continue to thrive after I retire, and I am dedicated to helping with a smooth transition."
Hyland has spent a total of 33 years serving the credit union movement as an advocate, attorney, federal regulator and philanthropist. Before joining the Foundation, she served as an NCUA Board member from 2005-2012. Previously, she served as SVP and general counsel for Empire Corporate Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y., and as vice president, corporate credit union relations and executive director for CUNA and the Association of Corporate Credit Unions.
She is a Credit Union Development Educator, served on the America Saves Advisory Board and the Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy Board, and is currently a board member of the National Cooperative Bank. In September 2022, she was inducted into the America's Credit Union Museum inaugural "Herstory" exhibit, and in July 2023, she received the Maurice R. Smith DEI Leadership Award from the African American Credit Union Coalition.
Jim Nussle, president/CEO of America's Credit Unions, commented, "There is no doubt the entire credit union industry has benefited from the passionate, dedicated work of Gigi Hyland. Propelling our movement into the future, Gigi's influence is seen not only through her philanthropic work leading the Foundation, but her focused leadership on the Board of the NCUA. A trailblazing advocate for increased financial education and wellness, Gigi's role in elevating financial well-being for all has driven real impact for credit unions across the country and undoubtedly transformed the lives of so many American families. Gigi's leadership and grace will truly be missed, and we wish her all the best in her retirement."
Foundation Board Chair John Sackett added, "Gigi has been the face of, and the driving force behind, the Foundation for the past 11-plus years. Her commitment to the credit union movement has been a shining example to many of us who have had the privilege of working with her. She will certainly be missed. Speaking for the Board of Directors, I want to thank her for all she's done."
The Foundation Board is working with Hudson RPO and the America's Credit Unions human resources team to conduct a national search for Hyland's successor, according to the Foundation.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
