Former CUNA President/CEO Ralph Swoboda passed away Monday. Swoboda led CUNA from 1987 to 1995 and served as the organization’s general counsel from 1974 to 1987.

“Ralph spent more than four decades working for financial cooperatives across the globe in dozens of countries, a true ambassador who represented the best of what credit unions can do,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “He was a strong champion for credit unions, particularly in the legal arena, and helped shape the movement into what it is today.”

After his time at CUNA Swoboda worked for credit unions internationally, including a on the Management Committee of the Association of British Credit Unions and managing director of a Dublin, Ireland-based fintech.

He also worked as head of international operations for CUNA Mutual Group, directing operations in 30 countries from China to the Caribbean. He also founded, and later served as board chair, of CUNA Mortgage Corporation.