As Verity's first Black female CEO, I'm passionate about leveraging the cooperative model to create a positive social impact and build a more equitable financial system. Harnessing the power of data and technology, I drive decisions that ensure prosperity for all, focusing on those historically underserved. My leadership fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration, aligning with Verity's vision, mission, and values.With 20+ years of experience in financial services, I lead Verity Credit Union with authenticity, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to serving diverse communities. Since taking the helm, I've spearheaded transformative initiatives rooted in ethical banking principles prioritizing people over profits.My process emphasizes deep listening and understanding our members' needs first. This "in partnership with" philosophy has driven new member-centric and employee-focused strategies across the organization. Within just two years, these initiatives fueled remarkable growth, resulting in Verity surpassing 40,000 members for the first time in its history.Key areas of impact include:Increasing access to affordable housing solutionsEmbedding DEIB as a top-down strategic imperativeInvesting in comprehensive training and professional development opportunitiesPrioritizing access to mental health and healthcare benefitsChampioning inclusive products, services, and community outreach programsDelivering robust financial literacy resources to empower our membersUnder my leadership, Verity is redefining what it means to be a purpose-driven financial cooperative, creating positive social impact while delivering exceptional service and value to our members.I earned a Doctor of Business Administration from City University of Seattle with my research focusing on reducing the wealth gap for historically marginalized communities. My leadership has been recognized with numerous awards for influence, social responsibility and diversity & inclusion - most recently being named one of American Banker’s “Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions.” As a thought leader and speaker, I’ve been a guest on various podcasts, including Unlikely, “Generational Wealth in Leadership,” See It to Be It “Changing the System from Within,” and Leading with Empathy & Allyship “Strategies for Supporting Black Leadership in the Workplace,” as well as interviewed for a variety of articles on related topics.Connect with me to discuss opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and driving positive change in the financial services sector.