MADISON, WI (July 18, 2022) – In light of the continuing decline of the nation’s financial well-being and anticipation of further economic uncertainties, the National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) today announced a strategic reorganization to accelerate its mission.
The charitable arm of the U.S. credit union movement says the move is designed to more effectively align its core outputs – education programs including the Development Education (DE) program and Exploring WhyTM workshops; its grants program that capitalizes scalable initiatives; and its events and speaking strategy, including the CU FinHealthTM conference – with the needs of the 166 million people in the country considered financially unhealthy.
The Foundation has also created a new position, FinHealth Director, to oversee the collaborative outputs of the FinHealth Fund and the Foundation’s ongoing financial well-being for all work. Applications are now open for the role on the Foundation’s website.
“The Foundation has been championing financial well-being for all for a long time,” said Executive Director, Gigi Hyland. “Through our outputs, we have successfully ignited an understanding of what true financial well-being looks like across the credit union movement. We have created and curated examples of excellence to inspire our peers and partners to integrate financial health as a strategic imperative. Now we are responding to the needs of the credit union movement to maintain – and increase – this momentum.
“This strategic reorganization will amplify the potential and realized impact of the National Credit Union Foundation. By doing so, we hope to partner more deeply, with more credit unions, to improve financial well-being for all.”
As part of the reorganization, the Foundation’s Director of Programs & Impact, Chad Helminak, has been named Chief Impact Officer. In his new role, Helminak will lead the strategic execution and future state of Foundation programs, products, and grants – ensuring all areas are aligned in purpose, focus and impact.
Helminak will also oversee the Foundation’s marketing and communications function and takes a leadership role in the successful management and delivery of the three key initiatives of the FinHealth Fund.
“The Foundation is uniquely positioned to provide a number of vital and necessary services to the credit union movement,” said Helminak. “The system looks to us for leadership on leveraging the cooperative principles to improve financial well-being for all, for resources that support a mission-driven culture of service, and – as a touchstone for all credit unions – as a connector and catalyst for change.
“We recognized the need to give ourselves greater opportunity to meet and exceed those expectations. To unify a very small but mighty team around one core concept: impact.”
In other moves, Tobi Weingart, the Foundation’s education program manager, has been promoted to program director and will have greater responsibility for the development and execution of the Foundation’s core education platforms.
Maggie Wolff, development education manager, has been promoted to senior manager, products, and will be responsible for the ideation, development, and life cycle of the Foundation’s proprietary solutions. Jenni Speth’s title has evolved to Engagement Senior Manager recognizing her growth in engagement.
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