CU Times 2024 Luminaries Awards Finalists: Community Impact - Individuals

In her role as Chief Impact Strategy Officer, Ziquora champions a holistic approach to community well-being that integrates both cultural and financial stability. She leads the Community Impact team, overseeing tools and grants that drive impactful projects and promote sustainable, equitable solutions tailored to each community’s needs.

James Hunter: New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union

As Chief DEI Officer, Hunter directs the cultural diversity and community inclusion efforts for the credit union. He oversees the Financial Inclusion team, a division of lending that works with members with challenged financial structures. As the executive director of The Faith Fund, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, Hunter is committed to serving the underserved by providing unique products and services designed to help people break the financial wealth divide.

Don Carden: Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union

As the credit union’s leader, Carden’s vision extended beyond financial services. He saw the potential for the credit union to play a more prominent role in community service. He required all managers to engage with local Chambers of Commerce, civic organizations, charities and community events. Carden believed that as a credit union, they were responsible for making a positive difference for their members and neighbors, a vision that inspired the entire organization.

Community Impact – Individual ($1 billion to $4 billion)

Cristina Lehman: Addition Financial Credit Union

Cristina Lehman excels in two roles at Addition Financial Credit Union, which put her in rarified company of those building bridges in the Central Florida community. Through innovation, communication and heart, Cristina not only raises the credit union’s profile as the public relations director, but she is also the first executive director of the Addition Financial Foundation, the credit union’s philanthropic arm.

Robert Martin: Indiana Members Credit Union

Martin’s belief in community investment has been a true inspiration. He has encouraged the credit union to participate in community engagement events. Events that bring together employees, members and community organizations. These events provide an opportunity for networking, learning about community development initiatives and exploring volunteer opportunities. They serve as platforms to connect individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities.

Matthew Skaggs: Nuvision FCU

As the Community Engagement Manager, Skaggs has helped establish and grow a number of important community-based programs and events for Nuvision, supporting children and families in need, first responders, and our military service men and women and veterans in those communities. He has taken a leadership role in the credit union’s NuvisionCares Helping Kids in Our Community Month program, including an annual boot drive for kids in Anchorage, Alaska providing much needed winter boots and socks for less fortunate children and families.

Maria Brunner: Credit Union West

Brunner has extensive leadership experience both within the financial services industry and with external community, civic and business organizations. She’s currently the Community Impact Manager at Credit Union West, where she leads efforts to build community relationships to further the mission of the organization. Brunner has been instrumental with building relationships with large valley companies and organizations such as Amazon, Nestle and Chicanos Por La Causa, and has led efforts to build a workplace benefits program that introduces financial education as an employer benefit.

Yvonne Garand: EastRise Credit Union

As Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of EastRise, Garand led a highly complex merger of two of Vermont’s largest credit unions. When New England Federal Credit Union and Vermont State Employees Credit Union merged in 2023, the two legacy organizations came together to unite under a singular vision of expanding financial services access for members and enabling them to create impact – both in their own lives and in the lives of others.

April Bitler: Kirtland Credit Union

As Base and Community Relations Officer for Kirtland, Bitler’s most impactful community-focused accomplishment was raising awareness for the issue of food insecurity of Active Duty military and their families. Through research and collaboration with base resources, Bitler helped established a food pantry on the installation so all families in need can get immediate assistance and be provided community resources for long term assistance.

Community Impact – Individuals ($4 billion & higher)

Elisha Gonzalez: FAIRWINDS Credit Union

Gonzalez serves as the Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs for FAIRWINDS Credit Union and as the Executive Director of the FAIRWINDS Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation has granted $1,500,000 to organizations focused on financial literacy, directly benefiting over 200,000 individuals.

Erica Taylor: Golden 1 Credit Union

Taylor serves as Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Public Relations Officer and oversees Golden 1’s external communications, government relations, community partnerships, corporate giving, and financial education. Throughout her tenure at Golden 1, Taylor has wholeheartedly led the organization’s efforts in giving back to the communities it serves throughout California. With a genuine passion for making a positive impact, she has led numerous initiatives for Golden 1 aimed at addressing local needs, driving employee volunteerism, investing in charitable partnerships and supporting social programs.

Marc Wilensky: Tower Federal Credit Union

An effective champion for change, Wilensky was highly involved in Tower Federal Credit Union’s rebrand, spanning the past three years. He built advocacy for a new brand, when the credit union needed new growth and renewed relevance among its target member audience. He’s an understated but highly effective leader who isn’t showy about his myriad accomplishments. He quietly makes great decisions for his brand, his team, and his credit union and effectively empowers those on his marketing staff to do great work.