Harlene Johnson, president of Light Commerce Credit Union in Houston received Credit Union Magazine’s 2019 Credit Union Hero of the Year award during the opening general session at America’s Credit Union Conference Monday at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida.

As a CUNA-certified financial counselor, Johnson plays a pivotal role in helping members avoid predatory payday lenders and attain affordable lending alternatives under a federal grant recently awarded to her $2.7 million asset credit union in Houston.

Johnson also works with members to improve their credit scores and create budgets to secure a better financial future. While Light Commerce is small, Johnson looks for ways to make the most of its resources and sponsor support to provide robust options to members.

“Financial literacy is the catalyst of our success,” Johnson said while accepting the award.

“My desire to help others goes beyond financial services,” Johnson continued. She also spoke about working with New Light Christian Church, the credit union’s sponsor, in disaster relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Rita, Harvey, and Katrina. She also wrote a grant that was approved for funding to provide housing for the elderly.

“In 2004 Harlene single-handedly wrote the faith-based charter for a credit union that provides services to an underserved population of the community which was largely of African-American descent,” says Cornerstone Credit Union League President/CEO Caroline Willard, who introduced Johnson. “This has provided greater access to capital and has increased sustainable programs to meet the financial needs of low to moderate income and financially underserved communities.”

Sponsored by CUNA System Partner CUNA Mutual Group, the Credit Union Hero of the Year award recognizes credit union leaders who demonstrate outstanding commitment to credit unions’ people-helping-people philosophy and make a difference for their members and the communities they serve.

Other Credit Union Hero of the Year Award finalists were:

• Cherry Dale, financial education director, Virginia Credit Union, Richmond, Va.
• Diane Sandoval-Griego, financial empowerment and outreach manager, Guadalupe Credit Union, Santa Fe, N.M.
• Bridget (Looby) Staffileno, vice president of community affairs, Catholic Federal Credit Union, Saginaw, Mich.

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