CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Sharing a common bond
Leadership

Sharing a common bond

Employee resource groups connect veterans at credit unions.

November 1, 2022
Ron Jooss
No Comments
2022_11_Veterans_Yvonne-Alaniz-Carpentier_Maryanne-Kolisnyk
Yvonne Alaniz-Carpentier (left), and Maryanne Kolisynk.

Anyone who has been around veterans knows they’re like-minded and share a common bond. It’s one reason organizations are creating employee resource groups (ERGs) that bring veterans and those who support them together while also supporting the organization’s mission.

Maryanne Kolisnyk never served in the military, but she considers herself “an extremely proud patriot.” For that reason, she joined VyStar Credit Union’s veterans VyStar Resource Group (VRG).

VyStar, with more than $13 billion in assets and based in Jacksonville, Fla., has a long history of serving the military. It was chartered in 1952 as Jax Navy Federal Credit Union and now supports more than 30 military-themed initiatives each year. As a military and specialty products manager, Kolisnyk says the group fits well with her job. “Our stated purpose is to assist in the development and execution of strategies to support employee engagement, professional development, and institutional networking while also engaging in the community and outreach within the veteran community,” says Kolisynk.

The group, which has 85 members. holds monthly meetings. Among its community activities are participating in parades, personally thanking veterans for their service, and assisting in the refurbishing of a ship for the Jacksonville Naval Museum.

“It’s a wonderful way to highlight the great things that VyStar does military-wise, and it gives us an important veteran presence in the community,” Kolisnyk says. “People are constantly thanking them for their service to the country. It’s nice that they are recognized for what they did before they came to VyStar.”

‘The camaraderie you feel with a fellow veteran is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.’
Yvonne Alaniz-Carpentier

CUheroes

In July, the Credit Union Association of New Mexico (CUANM) announced a partnership with the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) to create CUheroes, an ERG dedicated to serving the veterans and first responders of New Mexico’s credit union industry. 

The group is one of CUANM’s association-supported, employee-led ERGs, says Juan E. Fernández Ceballos, president/CEO of CUANM. 

Kim Stark, director of foundation and development for CUANM, says the organizations are  surveying potential participants and establishing a charter process for the veterans ERG. 

“CUheroes can provide a supportive and familiar community where members can share experiences, develop their careers, and rise as leaders,” Stark says.  

Yvonne Alaniz-Carpentier, chief financial officer at $854 million asset First Financial Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M., and the ERG chair, agrees with Stark. 

“The camaraderie you feel with a fellow veteran is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” says Alaniz-Carpentier, who served in the Air Force. “Being able to lean on each other and depend on one another is important in completing a mission in the military. This also serves the credit union mission of bringing people and communities together. 


A Salute to Veterans
This article is part of A Salute to Veterans, CUNA News' special focus on military veterans in the credit union movement, sponsored by FIS. Search for the hashtag #SaluteToVeterans to follow the conversation on Twitter.

KEYWORDS DEI Veterans

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • Reps introduce bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act

  • Compliance: Experts analyze NCUA’s 2023 supervisory priorities

  • CFPB must convene SBREFA panel for credit card fee rulemaking

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

How do you feel about the economy in 2023?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us