“I am immensely proud of the work NACUSO has done during my time as CEO and president. We made great strides in positioning the credit union industry to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape, ultimately creating a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous future for credit unions and their members. I strongly believe in the strategic trajectory of NACUSO and will continue to be one of its biggest supporters,” Hardy said.

NACUSO Board of Directors Chair Becky Reed added, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ronaldo for his contributions to NACUSO over the past 18 months, and wish him well in his future endeavors. The board and entire NACUSO team remain energized to continue driving the momentum and progress our members, partners and industry at large have come to expect from us.”

According to BALANCE, Hardy brings not only decades of financial services experience and visionary leadership, but also an inspiring personal mission: “To change the world by building the people who will change the world.” He was selected from a candidate pool of more than 200, BALANCE said in its press release.

In his new role, Hardy will oversee BALANCE’s strategic initiatives, including expanding financial education programs, enhancing coaching services, and building partnerships that create pathways to financial stability and success for individuals and communities across the country. Founded in 1969, BALANCE is a HUD-certified housing counseling organization and offers services designed to support and empower individuals and families facing financial hardship, including housing services, financial coaching, credit report review, debt solutions and student loan counseling.

“My career in financial services has been an incredibly transformative journey, and I am very excited to join BALANCE at such a pivotal moment,” Hardy said of his new role. “As our nation grapples with evolving challenges, politics and socio-economic status aside, families across the country need support more than ever. BALANCE is poised to meet that moment, delivering critical resources, financial education and housing support that will alter the trajectories of countless lives. For me, this is purpose work. When I was growing up, my family, like many others, faced some financial challenges; I experienced firsthand how difficult that can be. Prioritizing financial wellness has been a cornerstone of my career – disrupting poverty, keeping families together and creating lasting impact in communities nationwide. It’s the natural next step for me to embark on this journey with BALANCE to empower new generations and build a brighter, more equitable future.”

Prior to joining NACUSO, Hardy led CU Strategic Planning’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIBA) services, and before that, he served as president/CEO of the $175 million, Lake Charles, La.-based Southwest Louisiana Credit Union.