CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan talked about the credit union response to Ukraine on the latest episode of BIGcast, a fintech podcast. The episode comes after Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova addressed the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference, and as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Congress Wednesday.

Donovan said Markarova’s address was a major part of CUNA GAC.

“I think Ukraine is on the minds of everyone, and like any other industry group we’re thinking how best can we support them? World Council has started a fund for displaced Ukrainians, there are also a number of efforts led by the Ukrainian American Credit Union Association,” Donovan said. “On Capitol Hill, we were able to tell the story that this is certainly a global crisis but it’s one credit unions are trying to play their part in helping with.”

Donovan visited Ukraine in 2017 and 2018 to work with Ukrainian credit unions on advocacy.

Anatoli Murha, senior vice president at Ukrainian Self Reliance Credit Union and World Council of Credit Unions Senior Vice President of Advocacy Andrew Price also appeared on the podcast.

American Heritage Credit Union President/CEO Bruce Foulke is on a humanitarian trip to Europe this week to meet with credit union leaders, and several Oregon credit unions are also raising funds for support.