MADISON, Wis.–The National Credit Union Foundation has launched a reorganization it said is in response to the continuing decline of the nation’s financial well-being and in anticipation of further economic uncertainties.
The Foundation said the changes are also the result of a survey of its membership.
“The move is designed to more effectively align its core outputs – education programs including the Development Education (DE) program and Exploring Why workshops; its grants program that capitalizes scalable initiatives; and its events and speaking strategy, including the CU FinHealth conference – with the needs of the 166 million people in the country considered financially unhealthy,” the Foundation said in announcing the reorganization.
The Foundation said it has 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.
Successful Ignition
“The Foundation has been championing financial well-being for all for a long time,” said Executive Director Gigi Hyland in a statement. “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.”
Hyland added the hope is the reorganization will allow the Foundation to “partner more deeply” with credit unions.
Helminak to Chief Impact Officer
As part of the reorganization, the Foundation’s director of programs and impact, Chad Helminak, has been named chief impact officer. In his new role, the Foundation said 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 will take a leadership role in the “successful management and delivery of the three key initiatives of the FinHealth Fund,” the Foundation added.
Other Personnel Moves
In other moves, the Foundation said:
- 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.”