GRAND COULEE, Wash.–Colleen Manley, who started her 43-year career in credit unions as a teller and who rose to CEO of Coulee Dam FCU prior to its 2021 merger with STCU, has died unexpectedly from natural causes.
Manley started with CDFCU in 1979 and was named president and CEO in 2008. During her tenure Manley oversaw a tripling of the credit union’s assets prior to the merger with Spokane-based STCU.
After the merger, STCU retained Manley as regional president, “leaning heavily on her knowledge to continue meeting the needs of the communities in Okanogan, Ferry, Douglas and Lincoln counties,” STCU said.
STCU President and CEO Ezra Eckhardt called Manley “an exceptional mentor and champion,” noting she often started the workday at 5 a.m.
“It was a privilege and an honor to work closely with Colleen over the past 15 months,” Eckhardt said in a statement. “Her leadership was instrumental in guiding CDFCU through the Great Recession, a core technology conversion, the pandemic, and a full merger. She was the epitome of a selfless servant, always looking to empower employees, take care of members, and serve the greater community. We will all miss her amazing positive attitude, kind soul, and caring approach.”
STCU described Manley as a “staunch advocate” for the communities served by Coulee Dam Federal, saying Manley was particularly concerned about the post-merger continuation of a scholarship for high school seniors. STCU announced last year that it has been endowed, and it will continue in perpetuity. Manley was also involved in Rotary and other community activities.
A Historic Connection
STCU noted that Manley, who grew up in Coulee Dam, Wash., at one point early in her education attended the historic school that later became the CDFCU headquarters (now STCU’s Coulee Dam Branch). Later, she graduated from CUNA Management School in Madison, Wis.
“She was a hard-worker who was never above any task,” said Vanessa Marcolin, who started her CDFCU career in 1994 and was VP-marketing & Education at the time of the merger and who is now a senior product marketing specialist with STCU. “She loved the credit union and what it stood for, and what it meant to the community and staff. She was an amazing mentor, coworker and supervisor. Most of all she was an amazing friend who will be missed beyond measure."
Manley was preceded in death by her husband, John Manley, and is survived by a daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren.